Games with memorable atmospheres..

[dante財閥]

It's hard to properly explain what I mean making this thread, but over the years I've always found some games to be more memorable than others, and not just because they were objectively better. For example, some people might argue Uncharted 2 as one of the best games of last gen, but personally I found it to be decent, maybe even average. There was no lasting atmosphere to the game to me, no real immersive experience. Just seemed like I was a passenger to the action rather than being apart of it. But I can't deny that Uncharted was a good game with good mechanics, good voice acting etc. It was just almost as if it was missing it's soul to me.

 

On the other hand, a games I would say that had atmospheres that have really moved me and stuck with me for years after playing, would be something like Fallout 3. It's quite hard to put my finger on, and I can't describe what makes a 'good' atmosphere or even an 'atmosphere' at all, but whatever it is Fallout 3 had it. I would say the same for games like Dark Souls and upcoming BloodBorne too. Okay, so I haven't played BloodBorne yet, but even just watching the demo walkthrough I felt an instant sense of immersion that seems to be quite rare in games made these days.

 

So basically, what games have you played over the years that have really stuck with you atmospherically? What games have you played that seemed to have hit an intangible note, and created an amazing feeling that you can't quite describe?

[krashr]

i agree with fallout and another one for me was portal. being trapped in the facility with not much idea of what's going on initially, apart from what glados tells you. the way you eventually get behind the scenes, depending on how much you explore and ultimately when you make your way out. the humour mixed with constant probable death made a great atmosphere and that end song.. i couldn't wait to go back into that world when the second one came out

Edited March 13, 2015 by krashr

[SilentSeas]

I'd have to Assassin's Creed II. The renaissance setting and soundtrack had a certain magical quality to it and a level of beauty that in my opinion, the series has failed to reach since and probably never will.

 

Even now, the simple intro still gives me chills.

 

 

[dante財閥]

I'd have to Assassin's Creed II. The renaissance setting and soundtrack had a certain magical quality to it and a level of beauty that in my opinion, the series has failed to reach since and probably never will.

 

Even now, the simple intro still gives me chills.

 

 

This is something I'd agree with majorly, they really nailed something in II. I imagine it had a lot to do with Jesper Kyd doing the sound track.

[Input]

Fallout 3.

When you first leave the vault and all you hear is howling wind, nothing but dust and ruins all around. Busted up roads, rusted out cars, more dirt than civilization, a radioactive green tint to the world.

And thats all just in the first few minutes of being outside.

[Lemoyne outlaw]

i loved call of duty black ops cold war/ vietnam theme and every campaign and map was awsome especially the zombies. i also really like the black ops 2 and advanced warfare for there awsome technology themes. gta 4 is another great game with beatiful liberty city as your playground.

[The Algerian]

You want atmosphere, you need to check out this one:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's pretty disturbing, though.

 

And yes, it's old.

But I played it for the first time last year, so it still holds up.

[ClaudX]

There's many I can think of, but I'm going to mention only one. Sleeping Dogs' atmosphere was superb. No matter where you went, you felt whatever atmosphere was intended for that area. The bright neon signs and dark alleyways of North Point made you know you were in a bad part of town. The skyscrapers of Central told you that the area was flooded with businessmen. Aberdeen's docks and harbor noises made you know you were in an industrial area. And the affluent houses in Kennedy Town drove the point home. The pedestrians in each area also helped the mood. You wouldn't usually see men in suits in North Point and you wouldn't see gangsters in Central. Best part of all, the Asian culture was hit spot-on. The pedestrian dialogue, the buildings and sign, and radio all made you know you were in a different place.

[WindowsExPee]

Silent Freaking Hill

[Jolly Swagman]

Metro 2030/ Last Light especially with the audio set to Russian. I cant understand Russian but the language just suits the depressed surroundings perfectly

[dante財閥]

Metro 2030/ Last Light especially with the audio set to Russian. I cant understand Russian but the language just suits the depressed surroundings perfectly

Only played the first Metro but got to agree, uneasy as f*ck.

[Osho]

I liked the Hitman Contracts for its dark and tense atmosphere in many missions. The environment were particularly well detailed, along with the graphics and amazing music which helped to build a perfect hitman mood and suspense feel to them. Overall, its definitely worth playing for the feel of the atmosphere alone.

[Vertighost]

I agree with a lot of mentions here,...

 

I will just like to add Donkey Kong Country because it was one of the first for me with memorable atmospheres, Underwater, snowy blizzards, treetop villages and crystal caves are good memories I have of that game.

 

the music made the visuals all that more amazing

 

"Aquatic Ambiance"

 

[hornedturtle]

Agree with metro and hitman, also I'll add morowind, and concers bad fur day. Donkey kong music was king back in the day

[Goldn-Bayse]

Deus Ex HR had a great atmosphere, it was futuristic, dark and believable. I'd also add GTA IV for its presentation of LC, RDR for the wild west, Jet Set Radio for its bright and colourful japan, and MGS1 fir Shadow Moses Island.

[AZAZEL]

The original Unreal is definitely a candidate.

 

 

 

(That guy in the chair made me jump on my first play-through, lol)

[PhillBellic]

I will always have a special spot for the atmosphere of the GTA IV games.

[esmittystud101]

Me myself likes Far Cry 4. ( I never played any of the ones before that)

 

When I first started just exploring the map I was always getting surprised with things. Like I would walk up to a small outpost type area, in the area there would be a hole in the ground, I go over to the hole, here I can repel down the hole and it turns out to be a pretty deep underground cave with collectables inside. If this would have been any other game it would have just been a hole in the ground with no exploring envolved.

 

Last night me and a buddy were playing co-op in the new Yetis DLC. We came upon an area where basically we were stripped of all are weapons and then we had to expore a cave area. When we got inside, Bigfoot tried to kill us. With no weapons we were just running around trying to escape when we found a small area we could crouch down and he couldn't get to us. When he ran around the corner we finally made a break for it, I thought I would try to go into a smaller cave than the one we just left to find a gun or bow in case he ran out for us...........I was mauled to death by a Grizzly Bear. It was great.

Edited March 13, 2015 by esmittystud101

[Tycek]

You could use this topic as well: http://gtaforums.com/topic/754471-which-video-game-has-the-best-atmosphere/page-3

It's a bit old (December 2014), but I guess nobody would mind.

[Wastelander (Suzuki)]

Metroid Prime, Star Fox Adventure, Max Payne 1-3, GTA Vice City, just to name a few.

[reform]

GTA 3 and VC obviously hit on something pretty special.

 

Diablo, and to a slightly lesser extent Diablo II had an amazing atmosphere.

 

Plus the early Medal of Honor games.

[Kiffster]

Like I said in that other thread up there, Half Life 2. The atmosphere is just perfect, from the moment you arrive on the train to the very last when those advisors f*ck everything up.

[Wonderbro]

Definitely VC or Hitman 2 for me. sh*t still feels so magical.

[Marlowe.]

BioShock Infinite really struck a chord with me. The floating cities, the grappling hook, the fantastical Americana, the music; it was a unique experience, for me at least, and not a game I'll easily forget it.

 

The Last of Us, even though the whole 'post-apocalypse w/zombies' thing has been done to death, there was something about this version, and this depiction of a decaying world and lack of humanity that stood out to me above all others. When I think back, it's the University section that I remember the most. There was a propelling uneasiness and deep sense of impending doom in those moments. You could feel the tension increasing with every step, and yet, as a gamer, you were sort of powerless to stop it, you knew you were you pushing these characters into something awful and you just had to sit there and let it happen. It's a hard feeling to shake, even all these months later.

 

Modern Warfare 2 had an amazing atmosphere, too. Specifically, the 'Red Dawn' moments and the burning DC arc. The little part where you walk out of a bunker only to be greeted by the Washington monument under a hazy red sky of fire and brimstone, it was pretty unforgettable.

 

Skyrim is another big title, mainstream game that I still thought had an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Just the mountains, the trees, the rivers, the snow and the air; it was like walking around in the fairytale books my parents used to read to me as a kid. Not very immersive, or even original, but it was stunning nonetheless.

 

And of course, Vice City - the reason I want to move to the 80s.

[OurJud]

I'm a massive FPS fan, and have never been more immersed, enthralled and impressed than when playing Killzone 2 and 3. Bad Company and Bad Company 2 came very close, but the inability to switch off the HUD in these games, as you could in KZ, is what made the difference.

The end bosses in KZ were horribly tedious, but they were just about the only part of these two games that weren't perfect.

[iiConTr0v3rSYx]

Bioshock. Hearing Andrew Ryan's speech and then seeing the city of Rapture was great.

 

Gears of War. The first game was really dark and tense, shame it didn't last with the rest of the games. Loved the mad world trailer aswell.

 

FO3. Coming out of vault 11 and seeing the DC landscape for the first time. Who didn't go to the Superduper mart first?

[Ciarán]

Metro 2030/ Last Light especially with the audio set to Russian. I cant understand Russian but the language just suits the depressed surroundings perfectly

This and Fallout 3.

[Drunken Cowboy]

Half Life 2. Unsettling dystopian greatness that still holds up.

 

 

 

Brutal Legend. Heavy Metal Heaven. Especially the swamp and the Dry Ice Mines, great variation:

 

 

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. Red Dead's the better game, but this game wins it when it comes to magnificent Western set pieces.

 

 

Mafia II. Empire Bay comes really close to challenging Liberty City

 

 

Hotline Miami. Shiny, neon, and intoxicating.

 

 

 

To name a few of the ones that haven't been mentioned on here anyway...

Edited March 15, 2015 by Drunken Cowboy

[CrysisAverted]

World at War Eviction level

 

 

 

Fighting through war torn Berlin while a storm rages and constant drowning artillery fire shakes you to your core. You finally reach the subway and subsequently get drowned when the germans flood the tunnel.

Edited March 15, 2015 by CrysisAverted

[*Clutch*]

Last of us and Syberia series.