i mean some of the super mario 64 hallways do invoke a bit of scariness to them, but the point of the effect of these hallways is that there's not supposed to be a living soul at all. and the primary effect is that it's in a state of "transition" not necessarily that it's creepy; the creepiness should only AMPLIFY the effect. for best effect, any sense of being watched or not feeling like you should be here is a construct of your own imagination.
adding a pokey face overlaid on that liminal space just takes me out of the feeling entirely. kills the mood. those awful thumbnails of mario without irises similarly does the same thing.
here's the original picture. mind you this room doesn't even exist in super mario 64. heck i don't think it needs the grainy filter either, it might not even be desirable
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But there's some other shots. that exit sign really is strange. don't think the red light gives off the liminal feel but it is quite offputting
yeah this game always felt off to me in some aspects, but not enough to scare me. feels cozy to me. friendly, inviting, warm. like a good meeting is done and people are just off to relax in their rooms.
as with some people I DID dream about parts of the castle that doesn't really exist. i dreamed entire rooms too, leading to levels, like i think there was a room that was supposed to be whomp's fortress or basement irl but in my dream it lead into a painting that led into a submerged level. think there was also plenty of underground rooms too, maybe in a separate dream?
i don't think dreaming make-up things is limited to super mario 64 though,as i do dream mario kart stuff about tracks and karts that don't exist.