Hey all, I’m on the hunt for games that really suck you into their world, the kind where you look up and suddenly three hours have gone by.
Games I’ve loved and couldn’t put down:
- Plague Tale
- Horizon
- Subnautica
- Mass Effect
- Expedition 33
- Homeworld
Doesn’t matter the gente, as long as it’s got that vibe where you just exist in the atmosphere and forget about everything else.
What are your go-to games when you want to disappear into another world? Bonus appreciation if it’s something underrated or off the beaten path.
Edit: Thank you all. I will definitely keep this thread bookmarked. You all dwarved what I found on Reddit ir any other platform! Well done!
Obduction was incredible, especially in VR.
There’s this game that’s actually really short, around two hours gameplay, but in that time they manage to absorve you into a world that after a few years I still remember fondly. The experience is really unique, just like the gameplay.
I am actually surprised it is not already mentioned.
The price is well worth it. And in general, games by that company, annapurna are great examples of atmospheric games.
Stray for instance, it is more classical in the approach to the game style but it is amazing ( you play as a cat in a postapocaliptic world).
And talking of those games another that comes to mind as really absorving is Firewatch. Less action, more adventure style but so pretty.
Journey is brilliant. Thank you for the reminder. A second run might be in order. It’s short enough.
Stray… I probably should love cats for that. I’ll take another look.
Firewatch. I’ve seen it a few times. Should check it out again. At every look it feels like it’ll bore me. Might be wrong.
Stray was another case of the marketing made it look like an entirely different game (open world platformer with puzzle elements) when it’s really an intentionally linear puzzle game with no platforming
Kingdome Come Deliverance 2 is a fantastic game to just get lost in. They did a great job world building.
Kentucky Route Zero is a hell of an inmersive experience
When it comes to atmosphere and immersion, nothing beats Gothic 1 for me. The original from 2001 has very dated graphics and janky controls, but its immersion is unparalleled.
I have not tried the remake, but have heard mostly positive signals about it.
Another one that impressed me with immersion - mostly in its lack of II and definitely its sound design - is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Use headphones!
When I read atmospheric games I thought of a kind of game that’s perhaps slightly different from what you meant, but figured I’d mention them anyways:
- Sable
- Sword of the Sea
- Cairn
Sable!
I started it and never finished. Don’t remember what happened, but I enjoyed it. How long is it? Is it worth it?
Don’t know the other two. I’ll check them out.
I don’t remember exactly how long it is. I went for 100% in that game; you can definitely take your time with it.
Even just getting to the end can take a fair chunk of time, and there are fun secrets to be found. I was enamoured with the world and its characters. Though the part after the tutorial when that song kicks isn’t matched in its high elsewhere, for me.
Control and the Alan Wakes
Control was so great. Can’t wait for the sequel.
The STALKER games do this for me, STALKER Anomaly does as well (although you gotta mod that). The Metro games too, if you want something tighter and more cinematic.
Since noone has mentioned it yet, I recommend Vintage Story, since it has realistic survival mechanics and stellar ambience. My favourite base was a treehouse in a redwood forest, where I’d witness the sunrise and sunset over the treetops.
I had a great time playing this with friends. It reminded me a lot of Wurm Online but is much more approachable than that game while retaining a lot of its depth.
Just from videos alone, if you have friends who can play it with you for hours, that Big Walk is atmospheric enough I would play it if my friends were more interested in it. Hell, I’d play it singleplayer, but it looks to be built around multiplayer.
Edit:
Just saw the part where it says your go-to atmospheric games. Well, in that case, mine used to be Borderlands 1 ( the original and not the crummy remake/remaster(?) with the abhorrent microtransaction lootbox and minimap replacing the compass ).
I used to play that game and could easily get lost for hours just questing and grinding. I just don’t play it as much now.
Similar thing could be said for Audiosurf 2, so long as I’m on a device that has a lot of my music on it.
Kenshi.
Perhaps not so much for the atmosphere (although it is special), as because you have just spend 3 hours trying to lockpick your way out of your slavecage.
The Gothic series comes to mind. The remake of Gothic 1 is pretty decent and is a modern game to easily approach this series.
Little Nightmares 1 and 2. It’s a linear, but compelling stylized horror experience. I’d recommend at least watching a playthrough if you can’t handle chase sequences yourself.
Chants of Sennaar. A great translation game where you puzzle out what symbols mean based on context clues.
Bugsnax. A game about tense interpersonal relationships set in on an island where common foods are bug shaped, and eating the bugs make you food shaped.
hellblade senua’s sacrifice - regularly on sale. Easy puzzles and combat, wear a headset when playing and comes with a vr option if you have it. I’d say it’s 8-12 hours long.
Lunacid. It has such a weird and captivating world. Like, the first area is a cave that’s filling with a liquid moonlight. Big snails enjoy the moisture while weird abominations roam the floods.
Music is simply awesome, I listen to it outside the game from time to time.
