Games that don't get enough credit for atmosphere

[Phlakes]

This is a bit of a strange one, but Pokemon G/S/C. First gen was what you'd expect from a Gameboy RPG, but something about gen 2 had a really, really distinct feel. A lot fo it probably goes to the music.

 

[TheDuckbunny]

Morrowind. It's such a shame that they went back to more contemporary medieval settings with Oblivion and Skyrim because the imaginative and almost alien world of Morrowind did wonders for its atmosphere.

 

[sammysoso]

The first Mass Effect had an amazing atmosphere.

The whole thing oozed classic sci-fi, from the art direction to the sound effects to the music. Sad they ditched that for the sequels.

 

[xplosive59]

The original Mass Effect has alot of atmosphere and the soundtrack makes the game really immersive, brilliant ambient new-age music that fits perfectly.

Both Fallout 3 and Shadow of Colossus have an atmosphere that makes you feel small and alone in a massive world.

Recently Sleeping Dogs had a great atmosphere, it had a very different feel than the GTA games and Saints Row.

 

[laggyteabag]

The levels 343 Guilty Spark, Keyes and The Maw all have a brilliant atmosphere.

Especially Keyes when paired up wit this video It really made me feel sorry for the character.

 

[direkiller]

Homeworld



Still some of the most powerful moments in gaming IMO

 

[TrevHead]

Aquaria, I played that game 2 or 3 years ago and it still sticks in my mind as one of the best atmospheric games i've played.

Fortune Summoners, it has that 90s Japanese cute em up charm in spades. It might have little girls but there isn't a hint of sexualisation in the game. Recettear has the same charm but it's not as good as FS imo.

Devil May Cry 1 and Dust An Elysian Tail are 2 games i'm playing atm that have good atmosphere

 

[Frontastic]

The original PS1 Tomb Raider's. Especially the first. All those massive dark caverns that you could barely see ten feet in front of you, the minimalist music. Then the sound of something coming for you which would emerge from the shadows.

The sense of not only total isolation but also that just NO ONE had been to these places and no one could help or could find you was fantastic. Not to mention that you always felt so small, that you were constantly in way over your head. I guess the guns taking so long to kill anything helped that.

 

[Wolf In A Bear Suit]

To echo some other merry gents Alan Wake and Dead Space are two very atmospheric games
Dead Space: you travel alone being assailed by filthy squid faces while you discover what happened on the Ishimura
Alan Wake: Just gets scarier and scarier, you just don't know what to think

 

[chozo_hybrid]

One of the strongest examples I can think of in recent memory is Dust: An Elysian Tail [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust:_An_Elysian_Tail], the last game to be released during this summer's Xbox Live Summer of Arcade. This game is absolutely gorgeous, with a gripping story to boot.

I highly recommend it.

This is getting off topic, but it just seems a bit pricy for what the trial showed me, how big is the game? Roughly what kind of length would you get out of it, I liked the style and kudos to the one guy who made it, but cash is a bit tight and I'm waiting for it to go on sale.

In other words, try sell it to me I guess.

 

[Blunderboy]

Witcher? Dead Space?

Fair enough guys but I think this is for games that don't get credit for atmosphere.

I'd say Civilization III. You might not realize it but with that beautiful artwork, great music and solid-as-stone gameplay you can really get subconsciously invested in that game. It's the definitive 'just one more turn' game.

At the start of a playthrough the music is light and primal as your peons explore the landscape, build a fledgling empire and encounter other civilizations. In the medieval times the music is wont to ramp up, the tensions between empires get heavy, and you start getting exposed to very real threats against your existence.

In the Renaissance age everything looks nice and the music is also nice, but the Well-Tempered Clavier Book tunes and similar are up-tempo and sometimes match the pace of your heart as you watch to see if your Musketeer can hold off that Medieval Infantry.

Modern age just provides a high octane setting for complex diplomacy and advanced warfare...

Frankly that game rode me like a pony.

I'll agree with that, and also add Morrowind and Vampire the Masquerade - Redemption.
Though those are both pretty renowned for the atmosphere I think.
Oh and Homeworld too.

 

[lacktheknack]

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey had insanely good atmosphere.

So did the Batman games, better than they get credit for, methinks.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

This is getting off topic, but it just seems a bit pricy for what the trial showed me, how big is the game? Roughly what kind of length would you get out of it, I liked the style and kudos to the one guy who made it, but cash is a bit tight and I'm waiting for it to go on sale.

In other words, try sell it to me I guess.

Hmm. Never been asked to do that before. Very well, I'll give it a shot.

*ahem*

If I had to place a number on the amount of hours one would get out of Dust, I would have to say roughly...11-15 hours? Depending on how much you play the game on any given day. That's just the main story. There is however, a fair amount of side-quests and exploration to be had, should you wish to partake. That content I would say would add another good 4-5 hours onto it. Overall, you're looking at a decent-sized 20 hour game here, more or less. I find the story/plot whatnot to be very engaging, which may be testament to the great voice acting. Being that you said you already played the trial, I need not describe the combat or how the game plays.

Overall, I would personally say it is well worth the MSP, given that it is an XBLA title.

I hope that helps...

 

[sextus the crazy]

The World Ends With You. That's right, not all atmosphere has to be dark and moody.

Seriously, though. It does an excellent job of making you feel like you're the rich, trendy section of a giant city. All of the visual, music, and dialogue help immerse you and make you think that this place is real. It certainly felt real to me.

 

[DrNick]

Morrowind. It's such a shame that they went back to more contemporary medieval settings with Oblivion and Skyrim because the imaginative and almost alien world of Morrowind did wonders for its atmosphere.

I've sank more hours into Morrowind than any other game, except maybe the various versions of Civilization. I totally agree.

 

[Terminate421]

This game is Soooooo forgotten:

 

[sextus the crazy]

Just remembered: Eternal Sonata.

Does a great job of placing you in a musical fantasy wonderland. The art and sound are beautiful and striking. Too bad about the atrocious dialogue, though.

 

[IglooKid]

This game is Soooooo forgotten:

Oh my god someone else who loved this game!!! I'm too young for super metroid so this is my only 2d metroid experience. By gods it is good.

 

[EHKOS]

HM: Friends of Mineral Town, or really any Harvest Moon, has a nice, relaxing atmosphere to it. My personal favorite is A Wonderful Life.

Then there's Uncharted 3. Gosh, that whole cruise ship thing, and the dessert levels, were full of atmosphere.

The game I never understood though is Yoshi's Island.