Mature Games That Cater to Adults

[Lunar Templar]

The Witcher 2 and Dark Souls.

I can haz thread victory now?

There are plenty of mature games for adults who want a mature character driven story.

Thread victory given.

Spoiler

>.>
an internet? that's it? i prefer something more original.

so, Daystar, i present to you ....

Spoiler: your prize sir

enjoy :3

 

[A Raging Emo]

Oh look, it's another thread about complaining about modern AAA games.

It feels like every single one of these threads seem to have the mentality that all games that come out now-a-days are like CoD. When that is clearly not true.

You know what? I'm gonna pull a Daystar here. This thread is now about Oddworld. Specifically Abe's Oddysee.

Fucking love that game. Anyone else played it?

Probably ninja'd here, but holy shit I loved that game. Did you ever play Stranger's Wrath?

I have, but I wasn't very good at the game back when it first came out so I never beat it. Now that it's on the PSN though, I'm thinking of giving it another go.

I'm actually going to go as far as to say that it was better; I preferred the story, and the gameplay I thought was more in-depth (but mainly because it was 3D).

I'd definitely get it, if I were you!

 

[scorptatious]

Oh look, it's another thread about complaining about modern AAA games.

It feels like every single one of these threads seem to have the mentality that all games that come out now-a-days are like CoD. When that is clearly not true.

You know what? I'm gonna pull a Daystar here. This thread is now about Oddworld. Specifically Abe's Oddysee.

Fucking love that game. Anyone else played it?

Probably ninja'd here, but holy shit I loved that game. Did you ever play Stranger's Wrath?

I have, but I wasn't very good at the game back when it first came out so I never beat it. Now that it's on the PSN though, I'm thinking of giving it another go.

I'm actually going to go as far as to say that it was better; I preferred the story, and the gameplay I thought was more in-depth (but mainly because it was 3D).

I'd definitely get it, if I were you!

I just did actually. Right after I posted my last response in fact. Having fun with it so far.

 

[ATRAYA]

The Witcher 2

Hardly mature. Falls more in the teenage hardcore part than actually mature part.

Lots of gratituous female nudity doesn't make something actually mature.

There aren't many truly mature games around. Xenogears, Planescape Torment, Valkyrie Profile and some of the Ultimas come to mind, but that's about it.

Edit: Obviously my list is for role-playing games. My experience is limited outside this genre.

I think the "Witcher" series is getting mentioned a lot because it doesn't pull any punches. Sex scenes are fully available, as with heavy language. That doesn't NECESSARILY make it mature, but that also depends on your view of "maturity".

They do a few things right. IE: All choices have negative & positive consequences, no punches are pulled with regards to gore or nudity or substance abuse, *most* characters have a measure of depth.

And they also do a few things poorly. IE: Mammary The Gathering, needlessly obnoxious dialogue, lack of consideration for fem. gamers (Geralt isn't exactly a character with universal appeal).

So I'm not surprised it's been mentioned, but there's a reason I'm not championing the series as an exemplar of maturity. There's some work to be done yet...

Agreed. I was just theorizing as to why people kept mentioning it as a mature game.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Fucking love that game. Anyone else played it?

Are you kidding me!? This was the game that showed me games could more amazing then movies, and turned me into the fulltime gamer I am today.

OT: Fuck maturity!

A good game is one that speaks to the child within me, whether that child be destructive, inventive, power hungry, scared, or curious. Whether this is accomplished in a mature or immature manner is irrelevant.

 

[Cobbs]

To a certain extent Mass Effect has a great deal of emotional development. Even thought the romances all end with a sex scene they shouldn't be regarded as immature. Hell it's pretty damn mature to actually tackle the issue in that way because all relationships follow the standard meet girl/boy, develop through dialog choices, then eventually the pantsless dance.

 

[Sexy Devil]

There's definitely some nudity in Witcher 2, and it's debatable on which side of the "acceptable in context/fan service" side of the ledger it falls. It's miles better than the "OMG TITTIES" card collecting mini game for the sweaty palmed that (dis)graced the first title.

What makes the Witcher 2 an acceptable candidate for the familiar roster of "adult" games (and I see the usual notables making the rounds...Planescape, Silent Hill 2, Mother 3, Bioshock, Bastion, etc, etc) is the storytelling, not the nudity. There's a lot of political wrangling going on in Witcher 2, and very little hand holding offered to the player. There are no "politics for dumbasses" interludes carefully spelling out what is going on for the mouth breathers in the audience, there are few if any true villains, and there is a lot of socio-political context to wade through and consider. It's not the greatest work of fiction ever told, but it's miles ahead of most of its contemporaries, and doesn't deserve to be maligned because it brushes up against sexuality. I'd argue that the relatively staid and earnest Mass Effect is demonstrably more aggressive with its fan servicing than Witcher 2. The fact that Witcher 2 shows nipples shouldn't count for OR against it when determining how "mature" it is.

I don't understand why there's no whining about the gratuitous nudity in Game of Thrones (though it's been surprisingly absent in the last three episodes, except for the Osha scene) but as soon as a game does it it's suddenly "OH MY GOD SUCH IMMATURE TEENAGE BOY CATERING I HATE THIS GAME!"

Personally I found dumping the stupid cards to be the only moderation the game needed.

 

[Emiscary]

There's definitely some nudity in Witcher 2, and it's debatable on which side of the "acceptable in context/fan service" side of the ledger it falls. It's miles better than the "OMG TITTIES" card collecting mini game for the sweaty palmed that (dis)graced the first title.

What makes the Witcher 2 an acceptable candidate for the familiar roster of "adult" games (and I see the usual notables making the rounds...Planescape, Silent Hill 2, Mother 3, Bioshock, Bastion, etc, etc) is the storytelling, not the nudity. There's a lot of political wrangling going on in Witcher 2, and very little hand holding offered to the player. There are no "politics for dumbasses" interludes carefully spelling out what is going on for the mouth breathers in the audience, there are few if any true villains, and there is a lot of socio-political context to wade through and consider. It's not the greatest work of fiction ever told, but it's miles ahead of most of its contemporaries, and doesn't deserve to be maligned because it brushes up against sexuality. I'd argue that the relatively staid and earnest Mass Effect is demonstrably more aggressive with its fan servicing than Witcher 2. The fact that Witcher 2 shows nipples shouldn't count for OR against it when determining how "mature" it is.

I don't understand why there's no whining about the gratuitous nudity in Game of Thrones (though it's been surprisingly absent in the last three episodes, except for the Osha scene) but as soon as a game does it it's suddenly "OH MY GOD SUCH IMMATURE TEENAGE BOY CATERING I HATE THIS GAME!"

Personally I found dumping the stupid cards to be the only moderation the game needed.

A) The nudity in the Witcher 2 was quite tasteful on average.

B) The nudity demonstrated in Game of Thrones is typically the nudity of prostitutes. So it makes sense in context. I mean whores *in a whorehouse* are typically not in the most conservative state of dress.

 

[doublenix]

Again we present to you: Planescape Torment.

If one really looks at the stories in this game, it is probably one of the most mature games out there. Why? It deals with a number of things that old men think about. Being mature is not violence and bewbs. That's what kids thing maturity is. Being mature is thinking about things that have gravity to them. Of course, the argument could be made that being really mature is not thinking about them at all. *shrug*

 

[BloatedGuppy]

If one really looks at the stories in this game, it is probably one of the most mature games out there. Why? It deals with a number of things that old men think about. Being mature is not violence and bewbs. That's what kids thing maturity is. Being mature is thinking about things that have gravity to them. Of course, the argument could be made that being really mature is not thinking about them at all. *shrug*

I don't think a game needs violence and bewbs to be mature, or that the presence of violence and bewbs = maturity, but I think when violence and bewbs make sense in the world of the game and have to be hidden away because children might be playing, this is when you run into problems. The sexuality in Witcher 1 felt very forced. Not only was Geralt a relentless poon hound hitting on every woman he saw, almost every woman he saw was (bizarrely) up for it seconds after meeting you. The nudity in the second game felt much more in-context and appropriate.

That's all I care about when it comes to violence and bewbs. Is it natural for them to be appearing at this point in this story. If the answer is yes, and you hide them, that's bad. If the answer is no, and you show them anyway because OMG VIOLENCE AND BEWBS, that's also bad.

 

[doublenix]

I don't think a game needs violence and bewbs to be mature, or that the presence of violence and bewbs = maturity, but I think when violence and bewbs make sense in the world of the game and have to be hidden away because children might be playing, this is when you run into problems. The sexuality in Witcher 1 felt very forced. Not only was Geralt a relentless poon hound hitting on every woman he saw, almost every woman he saw was (bizarrely) up for it seconds after meeting you. The nudity in the second game felt much more in-context and appropriate.

That's all I care about when it comes to violence and bewbs. Is it natural for them to be appearing at this point in this story. If the answer is yes, and you hide them, that's bad. If the answer is no, and you show them anyway because OMG VIOLENCE AND BEWBS, that's also bad.

As long as both are in context and appropriate for the story at that point, I'm perfectly fine with them showing up. However, they don't really speak much to maturity at all. All it earns is a mature rating.

A game that speaks to mature adults doesn't focus on these things and might even be completely devoid of them. Take Passage. A very simple game that speaks directly to mature players. Five minutes can bring you to tears or make you think about something you never did before. That's a mature game IMO.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

As long as both are in context and appropriate for the story at that point, I'm perfectly fine with them showing up. However, they don't really speak much to maturity at all. All it earns is a mature rating.

A game that speaks to mature adults doesn't focus on these things and might even be completely devoid of them. Take Passage. A very simple game that speaks directly to mature players. Five minutes can bring you to tears or make you think about something you never did before. That's a mature game IMO.

Totally. "To the Moon" is the most adult/mature and thought provoking game I ever played, and there was a nary a boob nor a gun in sight for the five hour duration. I think you could make a game that focused on violence or sexuality and still have it be a mature game though. There are plenty of films and novels that treat with themes of violence and sexuality, they just explore them on more levels than "titties!" and "loud noises!". Look at a film like "Shame", or a book like "Lolita". Look at "A History of Violence". Stuff like that. I guess the problem with video games is it's difficult to take a high minded approach to violence when you're slamming the X button to execute a choke hold.

 

[doublenix]

Totally. "To the Moon" is the most adult/mature and thought provoking game I ever played, and there was a nary a boob nor a gun in sight for the five hour duration. I think you could make a game that focused on violence or sexuality and still have it be a mature game though. There are plenty of films and novels that treat with themes of violence and sexuality, they just explore them on more levels than "titties!" and "loud noises!". Look at a film like "Shame", or a book like "Lolita". Look at "A History of Violence".

I think this is where the industry has SLOWLY been going towards. Trying to incorporate sex and violence in a way that actually has thought behind it. Look at how far the GTA games have come over the series. Sure, not the best example, but it is an easy one that everyone can recognize. It was completely mindless before, but GTAIV had a few good moments that pointed out why someone would resort to violence over other means. GTAV looks like it will have even more of those, (or that's my hope based on the little I've seen).

I'd like to see more games try to do more mature topics. However, to have mature games, you need mature developers. We are now seeing a change as a greater number of devs have matured themselves and that trend should continue to grow going forward.

Stuff like that. I guess the problem with video games is it's difficult to take a high minded approach to violence when you're slamming the X button to execute a choke hold.

And thank you for my morning laugh good sir!

 

[pilouuuu]

As has been mentioned before Bioshock, The Witcher 2, To the Moon, Ultima series. I would add Journey and Superbrothers: Sword & Sorcery EP. I think that an adult game, as subjective is the term, needs to have a special mood, a more contemplative and thoughtful gameplay and while it may include violence and sex, it is that atmosphere that makes it stand out as not being childish.

I wish more games had non-violent gameplay and included philosophy, melancholy and spirituality in their stories.

 

[Norrdicus]

Since Witcher 2 and Legacy of Kain have both been mentioned (although Blood Omen 2 was far from mature), allow me to present a game with similarities to both of them!

Spoiler

 

[scorptatious]

Fucking love that game. Anyone else played it?

Are you kidding me!? This was the game that showed me games could more amazing then movies, and turned me into the fulltime gamer I am today.

OT: Fuck maturity!

A good game is one that speaks to the child within me, whether that child be destructive, inventive, power hungry, scared, or curious. Whether this is accomplished in a mature or immature manner is irrelevant.

Wow, that's actually how I feel about good games myself. I just didn't know how to describe it in words.

Props man.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Are you kidding me!? This was the game that showed me games could more amazing then movies, and turned me into the fulltime gamer I am today.

OT: Fuck maturity!

A good game is one that speaks to the child within me, whether that child be destructive, inventive, power hungry, scared, or curious. Whether this is accomplished in a mature or immature manner is irrelevant.

Wow, that's actually how I feel about good games myself. I just didn't know how to describe it in words.

Props man.

Abe brings out the best in me, man.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Better still, they're on GOG.

I just wanted to let you know - I just downloaded Ultima 4 from GOG. I will be giving it a shot (along with Lure of the Temptress) in the next several weeks. ^^

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I just wanted to let you know - I just downloaded Ultima 4 from GOG. I will be giving it a shot (along with Lure of the Temptress) in the next several weeks. ^^

Well, I give you major props for being willing to give such an old game a chance. It's older than a lot of people on these forums, I daresay.

Spoony's Ultima retrospective is a good listen if you want to get an idea of why the games were so groundbreaking if you're having a hard time appreciating them two and a half decades later.

 

[bullet_sandw1ch]

max payne 3 has a nice, cynical noir story about a depressed drug addicted alcoholic cop working as a bodyguard for a rich family, trying to escape the scars of his past.