Top 10 Most Atmospheric Games

whether it’s thrills or chills a game

whether it’s thrills or chills a game with a strong mood and tone can linger

with a strong mood and tone can linger

with a strong mood and tone can linger in one’s memory welcome to watchmojo.com

in one’s memory welcome to watchmojo.com

in one’s memory welcome to watchmojo.com it’s they’ll be counting down our picks

it’s they’ll be counting down our picks

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

this list we’re taking a look at games with immersive atmospheric experiences

with immersive atmospheric experiences

with immersive atmospheric experiences with a particular focus on those games

with a particular focus on those games

with a particular focus on those games where atmosphere is central to the

where atmosphere is central to the

where atmosphere is central to the gameplay just finish the coupling so we

gameplay just finish the coupling so we

gameplay just finish the coupling so we can continue element such as good sound

can continue element such as good sound

can continue element such as good sound mixing lighting effects and the use of a

mixing lighting effects and the use of a

mixing lighting effects and the use of a musical score are all of key importance

musical score are all of key importance

musical score are all of key importance as certain games rely heavily on these

as certain games rely heavily on these

as certain games rely heavily on these features to achieve their intended

features to achieve their intended

features to achieve their intended effect so sick you know number 10

effect so sick you know number 10

effect so sick you know number 10 Alan Wake it’s a psychological thriller

Alan Wake it’s a psychological thriller

Alan Wake it’s a psychological thriller at its core and a fine one at that

at its core and a fine one at that

at its core and a fine one at that developed by remedy entertainment the

developed by remedy entertainment the

developed by remedy entertainment the creators of Max Payne this 2010 title

creators of Max Payne this 2010 title

creators of Max Payne this 2010 title relies heavily on tried-and-true horror

relies heavily on tried-and-true horror

relies heavily on tried-and-true horror elements while still offering an

elements while still offering an

elements while still offering an unsettling experience telling the story

unsettling experience telling the story

unsettling experience telling the story of writer Alan Wake as he benchers

of writer Alan Wake as he benchers

of writer Alan Wake as he benchers through a town beset by supernatural

through a town beset by supernatural

through a town beset by supernatural horrors the game is fully willing to

horrors the game is fully willing to

horrors the game is fully willing to embrace its affection for classic horror

everything from the importance of

everything from the importance of lighting and the threat of darkness to

lighting and the threat of darkness to

lighting and the threat of darkness to the choice of tension raising music is

the choice of tension raising music is

the choice of tension raising music is at once a winking nod and a mood

at once a winking nod and a mood

at once a winking nod and a mood building design choice

number nine limbo simplicity is key here

number nine limbo simplicity is key here the indie game limbo conveys the basic

the indie game limbo conveys the basic

the indie game limbo conveys the basic tale of a boy searching for a girl in a

tale of a boy searching for a girl in a

tale of a boy searching for a girl in a monochromatic possibly post-apocalyptic

monochromatic possibly post-apocalyptic

monochromatic possibly post-apocalyptic realm however this bare-bones approach

realm however this bare-bones approach

realm however this bare-bones approach works for limbo as the game elects to

works for limbo as the game elects to

works for limbo as the game elects to focus on a subdued score and haunting

focus on a subdued score and haunting

focus on a subdued score and haunting visuals the world that the player

visuals the world that the player

visuals the world that the player explores is filled with lethal Horrors

explores is filled with lethal Horrors

explores is filled with lethal Horrors displayed in black and white yet coming

displayed in black and white yet coming

displayed in black and white yet coming across as surprisingly graphic coupled

across as surprisingly graphic coupled

across as surprisingly graphic coupled with a pervading sense of loneliness and

with a pervading sense of loneliness and

with a pervading sense of loneliness and despair it’s quite a unique and

despair it’s quite a unique and

despair it’s quite a unique and unforgettable experience

number eight Metro last light the depths

number eight Metro last light the depths of darkness make for good mood building

of darkness make for good mood building

of darkness make for good mood building last light acts as a sequel to 2010’s

last light acts as a sequel to 2010’s

last light acts as a sequel to 2010’s Metro 2033 with series hero a team sent

Metro 2033 with series hero a team sent

Metro 2033 with series hero a team sent to hunt down the last of a race known as

to hunt down the last of a race known as

to hunt down the last of a race known as the Dark One’s thus the players are

the Dark One’s thus the players are

the Dark One’s thus the players are dropped into a realm in ruin trekking

dropped into a realm in ruin trekking

dropped into a realm in ruin trekking through dimly lit Metro tunnels while

through dimly lit Metro tunnels while

through dimly lit Metro tunnels while coming to blows with other less amicable

coming to blows with other less amicable

coming to blows with other less amicable survivors will you shut up or what the

survivors will you shut up or what the

survivors will you shut up or what the game excels in its embrace of its grim

game excels in its embrace of its grim

game excels in its embrace of its grim tome locations are often derelict ladies

tome locations are often derelict ladies

tome locations are often derelict ladies limited and straight on combat can

limited and straight on combat can

limited and straight on combat can quickly lead to death number 7

quickly lead to death number 7

quickly lead to death number 7 gone whole you know that feeling where

gone whole you know that feeling where

gone whole you know that feeling where the first moment you see someone it’s

the first moment you see someone it’s

the first moment you see someone it’s like they have a big gold star around

like they have a big gold star around

like they have a big gold star around them coming home is easy feeling at home

them coming home is easy feeling at home

them coming home is easy feeling at home is the tricky part that’s the core of

is the tricky part that’s the core of

is the tricky part that’s the core of gone home on the surface a

gone home on the surface a

gone home on the surface a straightforward adventure game by

straightforward adventure game by

straightforward adventure game by developer Fulbright so much has changed

developer Fulbright so much has changed

developer Fulbright so much has changed even just since you’ve been away set in

even just since you’ve been away set in

even just since you’ve been away set in 1995 the game relies heavily on clues in

1995 the game relies heavily on clues in

1995 the game relies heavily on clues in the environment and a restrained

the environment and a restrained

the environment and a restrained presentation to convey a story of

presentation to convey a story of

presentation to convey a story of budding love and maybe a ghost you know

budding love and maybe a ghost you know

budding love and maybe a ghost you know how mom and dad are not exactly super

how mom and dad are not exactly super

how mom and dad are not exactly super open-minded the feeling of being alone

open-minded the feeling of being alone

open-minded the feeling of being alone increases as the player explores more

increases as the player explores more

increases as the player explores more and more of an Oregon mansion growing

and more of an Oregon mansion growing

and more of an Oregon mansion growing alongside a sense of frustration and

alongside a sense of frustration and

alongside a sense of frustration and longing for companionship they tell you

longing for companionship they tell you

longing for companionship they tell you to stick with the group on field trips

to stick with the group on field trips

to stick with the group on field trips Katie there’s a reason for that matched

Katie there’s a reason for that matched

Katie there’s a reason for that matched by increasingly heart-rending narration

by increasingly heart-rending narration

by increasingly heart-rending narration and careful use of music gone home is as

and careful use of music gone home is as

and careful use of music gone home is as sympathy inducing as it is atmospheric

sympathy inducing as it is atmospheric

sympathy inducing as it is atmospheric just listening to the rain on the roof

just listening to the rain on the roof

just listening to the rain on the roof might make you forget that it actually

might make you forget that it actually

might make you forget that it actually could be a sunny day out there in the

could be a sunny day out there in the

could be a sunny day out there in the real world

number six riven scenic views and

number six riven scenic views and puzzles aren’t the only things to enjoy

puzzles aren’t the only things to enjoy

puzzles aren’t the only things to enjoy here Riven acts as a sequel to THE HIT

here Riven acts as a sequel to THE HIT

here Riven acts as a sequel to THE HIT adventure Myst with gamers again taking

adventure Myst with gamers again taking

adventure Myst with gamers again taking on the role of a mysterious figure known

on the role of a mysterious figure known

on the role of a mysterious figure known as the stranger thank God

as the stranger thank God

as the stranger thank God set forth into the book set realm of

set forth into the book set realm of

set forth into the book set realm of ribbon the player must explore various

ribbon the player must explore various

ribbon the player must explore various Isles and even Otherworld as part of

Isles and even Otherworld as part of

Isles and even Otherworld as part of their quest perhaps it would be best if

their quest perhaps it would be best if

their quest perhaps it would be best if you went through first throughout its

you went through first throughout its

you went through first throughout its decaying series of locales the game’s

decaying series of locales the game’s

decaying series of locales the game’s non-linear design mixes well with a

non-linear design mixes well with a

non-linear design mixes well with a general lack of human contact to evoke a

general lack of human contact to evoke a

general lack of human contact to evoke a feeling of isolation and to prompt

feeling of isolation and to prompt

feeling of isolation and to prompt reflection it’s quiet and reserved

reflection it’s quiet and reserved

reflection it’s quiet and reserved letting players connect with the

letting players connect with the

letting players connect with the experience at their own pace perhaps

experience at their own pace perhaps

experience at their own pace perhaps someday you know

number five the vanishing of Ethan

number five the vanishing of Ethan Carter in a similar fashion to dear

Carter in a similar fashion to dear

Carter in a similar fashion to dear Esther this experience is all about a

Esther this experience is all about a

Esther this experience is all about a slow burn to resolution I know exactly

slow burn to resolution I know exactly

slow burn to resolution I know exactly what we’re up against don’t listen

what we’re up against don’t listen

what we’re up against don’t listen what’s in your head this open-world

what’s in your head this open-world

what’s in your head this open-world adventure game casts you as paranormal

adventure game casts you as paranormal

adventure game casts you as paranormal investigator Paul Prospero following up

investigator Paul Prospero following up

investigator Paul Prospero following up on a letter from a young fan from there

on a letter from a young fan from there

on a letter from a young fan from there the vanishing of Ethan Carter plays out

the vanishing of Ethan Carter plays out

the vanishing of Ethan Carter plays out as a string of crime scene

as a string of crime scene

as a string of crime scene investigations that dole out information

investigations that dole out information

investigations that dole out information about the mystery at hand in small doses

about the mystery at hand in small doses

about the mystery at hand in small doses beef run goddamn go get out of here

beef run goddamn go get out of here

beef run goddamn go get out of here thus the game keeps players on their

thus the game keeps players on their

thus the game keeps players on their toes while also remaining just ambiguous

toes while also remaining just ambiguous

toes while also remaining just ambiguous enough to work towards a

enough to work towards a

enough to work towards a thought-provoking conclusion this is all

thought-provoking conclusion this is all

thought-provoking conclusion this is all helped greatly by the impressive visuals

helped greatly by the impressive visuals

helped greatly by the impressive visuals which you can now see in the Unreal

which you can now see in the Unreal

which you can now see in the Unreal Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC

Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC

Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC Adventures of Paul Prospero supernatural

Adventures of Paul Prospero supernatural

Adventures of Paul Prospero supernatural detective where do you get this stuff

detective where do you get this stuff

detective where do you get this stuff number four Metroid Prime

something sinister looks below the

something sinister looks below the surface here and what a magnificent tone

surface here and what a magnificent tone

surface here and what a magnificent tone it sets

a joint venture between Nintendo and

a joint venture between Nintendo and retro studios Metroid Prime marked the

retro studios Metroid Prime marked the

retro studios Metroid Prime marked the first entry in its franchise to use a

first entry in its franchise to use a

first entry in its franchise to use a first-person perspective which adds

first-person perspective which adds

first-person perspective which adds greatly to the building tension heroine

greatly to the building tension heroine

greatly to the building tension heroine and bounty hunter samus aran’s journey

and bounty hunter samus aran’s journey

and bounty hunter samus aran’s journey across the abandoned planet Talon for is

across the abandoned planet Talon for is

across the abandoned planet Talon for is one driven by uncertainty with subdued

one driven by uncertainty with subdued

one driven by uncertainty with subdued colors and plentiful ambient sounds

these little details make for a

these little details make for a compelling example of mood and gaming

compelling example of mood and gaming

compelling example of mood and gaming and punctuate the action sequences

and punctuate the action sequences

and punctuate the action sequences nicely number three journey

it’s long and at times lonely walk but

it’s long and at times lonely walk but no less emotionally taxing for it the

no less emotionally taxing for it the

no less emotionally taxing for it the premise here is simple you are a hooded

premise here is simple you are a hooded

premise here is simple you are a hooded traveler walking across the desert in

traveler walking across the desert in

traveler walking across the desert in hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the

hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the

hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the distance

yet the game proper takes the simple

yet the game proper takes the simple idea and flushes it out into a grandiose

idea and flushes it out into a grandiose

idea and flushes it out into a grandiose and moving tale relying on shining

and moving tale relying on shining

and moving tale relying on shining visuals and inspiring music to keep the

visuals and inspiring music to keep the

visuals and inspiring music to keep the player motivated

every step taken and every challenge

every step taken and every challenge overcome is made more rewarding by the

overcome is made more rewarding by the

overcome is made more rewarding by the uplifting feelings journey emphasizes

uplifting feelings journey emphasizes

uplifting feelings journey emphasizes this emotional voyage was definitely

this emotional voyage was definitely

this emotional voyage was definitely well supported by the grammy-nominated

well supported by the grammy-nominated

well supported by the grammy-nominated soundtrack by Austin Wynton

number two Silent Hill 2 in my Restless

number two Silent Hill 2 in my Restless dreams I see that town subtlety is

dreams I see that town subtlety is

dreams I see that town subtlety is something of a lost art and the vital

something of a lost art and the vital

something of a lost art and the vital component to this games power sure is

component to this games power sure is

component to this games power sure is quiet here huh I guess

quiet here huh I guess

quiet here huh I guess as with many installments of the series

as with many installments of the series

as with many installments of the series Silent Hill 2 places its hapless hero

Silent Hill 2 places its hapless hero

Silent Hill 2 places its hapless hero James Sunderland in the titular town and

James Sunderland in the titular town and

James Sunderland in the titular town and pits him against bizarre otherworldly

pits him against bizarre otherworldly

pits him against bizarre otherworldly creatures more important than its focus

creatures more important than its focus

creatures more important than its focus on the supernatural oh is the game’s use

on the supernatural oh is the game’s use

on the supernatural oh is the game’s use of shrouded environments and a haunting

of shrouded environments and a haunting

of shrouded environments and a haunting soundtrack it’s designed to slowly build

soundtrack it’s designed to slowly build

soundtrack it’s designed to slowly build unconscious fears in the player

unconscious fears in the player

unconscious fears in the player demonstrating a keen understanding of

demonstrating a keen understanding of

demonstrating a keen understanding of psychological horror that is supported

psychological horror that is supported

psychological horror that is supported by the harrowing story reveals an

by the harrowing story reveals an

by the harrowing story reveals an ambiguity of the world I don’t know why

ambiguity of the world I don’t know why

ambiguity of the world I don’t know why but I just love it here so peaceful

but I just love it here so peaceful

but I just love it here so peaceful before we unveil our top pick here are a

before we unveil our top pick here are a

before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions

number one Bioshock I can hear these

number one Bioshock I can hear these random things all around you

random things all around you

random things all around you Ryan Eisen here not unlike its spiritual

Ryan Eisen here not unlike its spiritual

Ryan Eisen here not unlike its spiritual predecessor System Shock 2 this

predecessor System Shock 2 this

predecessor System Shock 2 this first-person shooter thrives on

first-person shooter thrives on

first-person shooter thrives on atmosphere building

set in rapture an underwater city

set in rapture an underwater city pitched as a suppose at utopia bioshock

pitched as a suppose at utopia bioshock

pitched as a suppose at utopia bioshock balances its settings art deco beauty

balances its settings art deco beauty

balances its settings art deco beauty with the decay and devastation inherent

with the decay and devastation inherent

with the decay and devastation inherent to societal collapse citizens turn feral

to societal collapse citizens turn feral

to societal collapse citizens turn feral passageways are flooded by the sea the

passageways are flooded by the sea the

passageways are flooded by the sea the visual experience in rapture uniformly

visual experience in rapture uniformly

visual experience in rapture uniformly conveys a tangible sense of despair an

conveys a tangible sense of despair an

conveys a tangible sense of despair an intruder is ugly ugly ugly when its

intruder is ugly ugly ugly when its

intruder is ugly ugly ugly when its twist filled aridif classically inspired

twist filled aridif classically inspired

twist filled aridif classically inspired soundtrack and brutal action Bioshock

soundtrack and brutal action Bioshock

soundtrack and brutal action Bioshock quite easily embodies a quintessential

quite easily embodies a quintessential

quite easily embodies a quintessential tragic world that is noble in nature yet

tragic world that is noble in nature yet

tragic world that is noble in nature yet doomed to fail do you agree with our

doomed to fail do you agree with our

doomed to fail do you agree with our list you don’t shake hands with the

list you don’t shake hands with the

list you don’t shake hands with the devil what’s your favorite atmosphere

devil what’s your favorite atmosphere

devil what’s your favorite atmosphere driven game for more intense top 10s

driven game for more intense top 10s

driven game for more intense top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe

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to watchmojo.com

to watchmojo.com Ethan warned me about that warned me not

Ethan warned me about that warned me not

Ethan warned me about that warned me not to be fooled by what I saw here