whether it’s thrills or chills a game
with a strong mood and tone can linger
in one’s memory welcome to watchmojo.com
it’s they’ll be counting down our picks
for the top 10 most atmospheric games
this list we’re taking a look at games
with immersive atmospheric experiences
with a particular focus on those games
where atmosphere is central to the
gameplay just finish the coupling so we
can continue element such as good sound
mixing lighting effects and the use of a
musical score are all of key importance
as certain games rely heavily on these
features to achieve their intended
effect so sick you know number 10
Alan Wake it’s a psychological thriller
at its core and a fine one at that
developed by remedy entertainment the
creators of Max Payne this 2010 title
relies heavily on tried-and-true horror
elements while still offering an
unsettling experience telling the story
of writer Alan Wake as he benchers
through a town beset by supernatural
horrors the game is fully willing to
embrace its affection for classic horror
everything from the importance of
lighting and the threat of darkness to
the choice of tension raising music is
at once a winking nod and a mood
building design choice
number nine limbo simplicity is key here
the indie game limbo conveys the basic
tale of a boy searching for a girl in a
monochromatic possibly post-apocalyptic
realm however this bare-bones approach
works for limbo as the game elects to
focus on a subdued score and haunting
visuals the world that the player
explores is filled with lethal Horrors
displayed in black and white yet coming
across as surprisingly graphic coupled
with a pervading sense of loneliness and
despair it’s quite a unique and
unforgettable experience
number eight Metro last light the depths
of darkness make for good mood building
last light acts as a sequel to 2010’s
Metro 2033 with series hero a team sent
to hunt down the last of a race known as
the Dark One’s thus the players are
dropped into a realm in ruin trekking
through dimly lit Metro tunnels while
coming to blows with other less amicable
survivors will you shut up or what the
game excels in its embrace of its grim
tome locations are often derelict ladies
limited and straight on combat can
quickly lead to death number 7
gone whole you know that feeling where
the first moment you see someone it’s
like they have a big gold star around
them coming home is easy feeling at home
is the tricky part that’s the core of
gone home on the surface a
straightforward adventure game by
developer Fulbright so much has changed
even just since you’ve been away set in
1995 the game relies heavily on clues in
the environment and a restrained
presentation to convey a story of
budding love and maybe a ghost you know
how mom and dad are not exactly super
open-minded the feeling of being alone
increases as the player explores more
and more of an Oregon mansion growing
alongside a sense of frustration and
longing for companionship they tell you
to stick with the group on field trips
Katie there’s a reason for that matched
by increasingly heart-rending narration
and careful use of music gone home is as
sympathy inducing as it is atmospheric
just listening to the rain on the roof
might make you forget that it actually
could be a sunny day out there in the
real world
number six riven scenic views and
puzzles aren’t the only things to enjoy
here Riven acts as a sequel to THE HIT
adventure Myst with gamers again taking
on the role of a mysterious figure known
as the stranger thank God
set forth into the book set realm of
ribbon the player must explore various
Isles and even Otherworld as part of
their quest perhaps it would be best if
you went through first throughout its
decaying series of locales the game’s
non-linear design mixes well with a
general lack of human contact to evoke a
feeling of isolation and to prompt
reflection it’s quiet and reserved
letting players connect with the
experience at their own pace perhaps
someday you know
number five the vanishing of Ethan
Carter in a similar fashion to dear
Esther this experience is all about a
slow burn to resolution I know exactly
what we’re up against don’t listen
what’s in your head this open-world
adventure game casts you as paranormal
investigator Paul Prospero following up
on a letter from a young fan from there
the vanishing of Ethan Carter plays out
as a string of crime scene
investigations that dole out information
about the mystery at hand in small doses
beef run goddamn go get out of here
thus the game keeps players on their
toes while also remaining just ambiguous
enough to work towards a
thought-provoking conclusion this is all
helped greatly by the impressive visuals
which you can now see in the Unreal
Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC
Adventures of Paul Prospero supernatural
detective where do you get this stuff
number four Metroid Prime
something sinister looks below the
surface here and what a magnificent tone
it sets
a joint venture between Nintendo and
retro studios Metroid Prime marked the
first entry in its franchise to use a
first-person perspective which adds
greatly to the building tension heroine
and bounty hunter samus aran’s journey
across the abandoned planet Talon for is
one driven by uncertainty with subdued
colors and plentiful ambient sounds
these little details make for a
compelling example of mood and gaming
and punctuate the action sequences
nicely number three journey
it’s long and at times lonely walk but
no less emotionally taxing for it the
premise here is simple you are a hooded
traveler walking across the desert in
hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the
distance
yet the game proper takes the simple
idea and flushes it out into a grandiose
and moving tale relying on shining
visuals and inspiring music to keep the
player motivated
every step taken and every challenge
overcome is made more rewarding by the
uplifting feelings journey emphasizes
this emotional voyage was definitely
well supported by the grammy-nominated
soundtrack by Austin Wynton
number two Silent Hill 2 in my Restless
dreams I see that town subtlety is
something of a lost art and the vital
component to this games power sure is
quiet here huh I guess
as with many installments of the series
Silent Hill 2 places its hapless hero
James Sunderland in the titular town and
pits him against bizarre otherworldly
creatures more important than its focus
on the supernatural oh is the game’s use
of shrouded environments and a haunting
soundtrack it’s designed to slowly build
unconscious fears in the player
demonstrating a keen understanding of
psychological horror that is supported
by the harrowing story reveals an
ambiguity of the world I don’t know why
but I just love it here so peaceful
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
number one Bioshock I can hear these
random things all around you
Ryan Eisen here not unlike its spiritual
predecessor System Shock 2 this
first-person shooter thrives on
atmosphere building
set in rapture an underwater city
pitched as a suppose at utopia bioshock
balances its settings art deco beauty
with the decay and devastation inherent
to societal collapse citizens turn feral
passageways are flooded by the sea the
visual experience in rapture uniformly
conveys a tangible sense of despair an
intruder is ugly ugly ugly when its
twist filled aridif classically inspired
soundtrack and brutal action Bioshock
quite easily embodies a quintessential
tragic world that is noble in nature yet
doomed to fail do you agree with our
list you don’t shake hands with the
devil what’s your favorite atmosphere
driven game for more intense top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
Ethan warned me about that warned me not
to be fooled by what I saw here
with a strong mood and tone can linger
in one’s memory welcome to watchmojo.com
it’s they’ll be counting down our picks
for the top 10 most atmospheric games
this list we’re taking a look at games
with immersive atmospheric experiences
with a particular focus on those games
where atmosphere is central to the
gameplay just finish the coupling so we
can continue element such as good sound
mixing lighting effects and the use of a
musical score are all of key importance
as certain games rely heavily on these
features to achieve their intended
effect so sick you know number 10
Alan Wake it’s a psychological thriller
at its core and a fine one at that
developed by remedy entertainment the
creators of Max Payne this 2010 title
relies heavily on tried-and-true horror
elements while still offering an
unsettling experience telling the story
of writer Alan Wake as he benchers
through a town beset by supernatural
horrors the game is fully willing to
embrace its affection for classic horror
everything from the importance of
lighting and the threat of darkness to
the choice of tension raising music is
at once a winking nod and a mood
building design choice
number nine limbo simplicity is key here
the indie game limbo conveys the basic
tale of a boy searching for a girl in a
monochromatic possibly post-apocalyptic
realm however this bare-bones approach
works for limbo as the game elects to
focus on a subdued score and haunting
visuals the world that the player
explores is filled with lethal Horrors
displayed in black and white yet coming
across as surprisingly graphic coupled
with a pervading sense of loneliness and
despair it’s quite a unique and
unforgettable experience
number eight Metro last light the depths
of darkness make for good mood building
last light acts as a sequel to 2010’s
Metro 2033 with series hero a team sent
to hunt down the last of a race known as
the Dark One’s thus the players are
dropped into a realm in ruin trekking
through dimly lit Metro tunnels while
coming to blows with other less amicable
survivors will you shut up or what the
game excels in its embrace of its grim
tome locations are often derelict ladies
limited and straight on combat can
quickly lead to death number 7
gone whole you know that feeling where
the first moment you see someone it’s
like they have a big gold star around
them coming home is easy feeling at home
is the tricky part that’s the core of
gone home on the surface a
straightforward adventure game by
developer Fulbright so much has changed
even just since you’ve been away set in
1995 the game relies heavily on clues in
the environment and a restrained
presentation to convey a story of
budding love and maybe a ghost you know
how mom and dad are not exactly super
open-minded the feeling of being alone
increases as the player explores more
and more of an Oregon mansion growing
alongside a sense of frustration and
longing for companionship they tell you
to stick with the group on field trips
Katie there’s a reason for that matched
by increasingly heart-rending narration
and careful use of music gone home is as
sympathy inducing as it is atmospheric
just listening to the rain on the roof
might make you forget that it actually
could be a sunny day out there in the
real world
number six riven scenic views and
puzzles aren’t the only things to enjoy
here Riven acts as a sequel to THE HIT
adventure Myst with gamers again taking
on the role of a mysterious figure known
as the stranger thank God
set forth into the book set realm of
ribbon the player must explore various
Isles and even Otherworld as part of
their quest perhaps it would be best if
you went through first throughout its
decaying series of locales the game’s
non-linear design mixes well with a
general lack of human contact to evoke a
feeling of isolation and to prompt
reflection it’s quiet and reserved
letting players connect with the
experience at their own pace perhaps
someday you know
number five the vanishing of Ethan
Carter in a similar fashion to dear
Esther this experience is all about a
slow burn to resolution I know exactly
what we’re up against don’t listen
what’s in your head this open-world
adventure game casts you as paranormal
investigator Paul Prospero following up
on a letter from a young fan from there
the vanishing of Ethan Carter plays out
as a string of crime scene
investigations that dole out information
about the mystery at hand in small doses
beef run goddamn go get out of here
thus the game keeps players on their
toes while also remaining just ambiguous
enough to work towards a
thought-provoking conclusion this is all
helped greatly by the impressive visuals
which you can now see in the Unreal
Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC
Adventures of Paul Prospero supernatural
detective where do you get this stuff
number four Metroid Prime
something sinister looks below the
surface here and what a magnificent tone
it sets
a joint venture between Nintendo and
retro studios Metroid Prime marked the
first entry in its franchise to use a
first-person perspective which adds
greatly to the building tension heroine
and bounty hunter samus aran’s journey
across the abandoned planet Talon for is
one driven by uncertainty with subdued
colors and plentiful ambient sounds
these little details make for a
compelling example of mood and gaming
and punctuate the action sequences
nicely number three journey
it’s long and at times lonely walk but
no less emotionally taxing for it the
premise here is simple you are a hooded
traveler walking across the desert in
hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the
distance
yet the game proper takes the simple
idea and flushes it out into a grandiose
and moving tale relying on shining
visuals and inspiring music to keep the
player motivated
every step taken and every challenge
overcome is made more rewarding by the
uplifting feelings journey emphasizes
this emotional voyage was definitely
well supported by the grammy-nominated
soundtrack by Austin Wynton
number two Silent Hill 2 in my Restless
dreams I see that town subtlety is
something of a lost art and the vital
component to this games power sure is
quiet here huh I guess
as with many installments of the series
Silent Hill 2 places its hapless hero
James Sunderland in the titular town and
pits him against bizarre otherworldly
creatures more important than its focus
on the supernatural oh is the game’s use
of shrouded environments and a haunting
soundtrack it’s designed to slowly build
unconscious fears in the player
demonstrating a keen understanding of
psychological horror that is supported
by the harrowing story reveals an
ambiguity of the world I don’t know why
but I just love it here so peaceful
before we unveil our top pick here are a
few honorable mentions
number one Bioshock I can hear these
random things all around you
Ryan Eisen here not unlike its spiritual
predecessor System Shock 2 this
first-person shooter thrives on
atmosphere building
set in rapture an underwater city
pitched as a suppose at utopia bioshock
balances its settings art deco beauty
with the decay and devastation inherent
to societal collapse citizens turn feral
passageways are flooded by the sea the
visual experience in rapture uniformly
conveys a tangible sense of despair an
intruder is ugly ugly ugly when its
twist filled aridif classically inspired
soundtrack and brutal action Bioshock
quite easily embodies a quintessential
tragic world that is noble in nature yet
doomed to fail do you agree with our
list you don’t shake hands with the
devil what’s your favorite atmosphere
driven game for more intense top 10s
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
Ethan warned me about that warned me not
to be fooled by what I saw here
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