Games with good atmosphere

06-01-2006, 03:55 PM

What games come to mind when you think of ones you played where there was a real sense of atmosphere, and where you feel you're practically there inside the game? Where for instance, the sense of summer is almost palpable, birds twittering, ocean sounds, sunshine, etc such as in return to mysterious island. Or where the mood is really creepy or heavy such as in sanitarium. For me, return to mysterious island, voyage, keepsake, sanitarium, black mirror*, realms of the haunting, still life*, zork nemesis and grand inquisitor all come to mind. I think first person adventures, ( particularly nodal point type games which also seem to heighten the sense of being alone in your surroundings), have more atmosphere anyway. What ones can you think of that immerse you by almost atmosphere alone?

* borderline.

06-01-2006, 03:59 PM

Dark Fall
Myst series
Monkey Island
Gabriel Knight

Probably more.

thriftweed · 06-01-2006, 04:12 PM

Grim fandango
Monkey Island 1,2,3

artwking4 · 06-01-2006, 04:17 PM

Quest for Glory, specifically, the fourth one set in the autumn season with a Transylvania-like background.

wezyap · 06-01-2006, 04:17 PM

The longest journey
and of course Monkey island 1,2,3

Gonchi · 06-01-2006, 06:01 PM

Dreamweb, Rise of the Dragon and Noctropolis come to mind.

Jelena · 06-02-2006, 07:14 AM

No doubt about it: Myst series.

trudysgarden · 06-02-2006, 07:14 AM

Amber Journey Beyond, Darkfall Lights Out come to mind.

Ninth · 06-02-2006, 10:24 AM

Monkey Island 1 and 2
Simon the Sorcerer 1
Dune
Grim Fandango
Riven
Dark Fall
Still Life
Syberia
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon

All these games have excellent coherent amospheres.

Litrick · 06-02-2006, 10:47 AM

Grim Fandango is the most atmospheric game i have ever played.

jelly3 · 06-03-2006, 12:38 PM

Definately realms of the haunting, as you said, but also Alone in the Dark.

BerserkerTails · 06-03-2006, 01:18 PM

To me, I find that IF games usually drag me into the atmosphere the most, especially really well made ones. The last one I played that did this was Infocom's "The Lurking Horror", which I played through a few months back. Definitely very atmospheric.

Though a lot of games that have very few locations really drag me in. Games like "Enclosure", "5 Days a Stranger" and "The Colonel's Bequest" are perfect examples of this.

LeisureSuitedLooney · 06-03-2006, 01:30 PM

Zork: Nemesis
The Colonel's Bequest
Shivers 1
Dark Fall 1
The Gabriel Knight Trilogy
Sanitarium
Thief: The Dark Project
Leisure Suit Larry 7

With the exception of LSL7, those all had an atmosphere of suspense or dread that really drew me in. I included LSL7 because I felt the music, the differently-themed ship areas, the sound and visuals really brought out the "party cruise" kind of feel you get on that type of cruise.

insane_cobra · 06-03-2006, 02:40 PM

Blade Runner, best atmosphere ever, in any genre.

saucyminx · 06-03-2006, 02:43 PM

GK3. The whole "based-on-a-real-location" really helped throwing me into its atmosphere.

06-03-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelly3

Definately realms of the haunting, as you said, but also Alone in the Dark.

Yep, alone in the dark has oodles of atmosphere. I loved that game. It creeped me out more than a few times. The crudeness of the graphics and the movement added to the 'scary' vibe too.

Timbo · 06-03-2006, 11:45 PM

Myst Series. Hands Down.

ESPECIALLY when you do what they recommend; that is to say, put on a nice pair of headphones, and turn off the lights. It REALLY draws you in =o

Timbo

Iron · 06-04-2006, 01:22 AM

Gabriel Knight 3 and Syberia. GK3 has so much real information and optional exploration that you can really dive into it, but the best part is that the game doesn't force you to do so. Also the realistic location, and the 3d-structure, that allows you to explore the enviroment in a totally new way. A perfect example of a well-used 3d engine.

Syberia on the other hand has the most brilliant 2d backgrounds that I've witnessed, and its a rare occasion where the mood and atmosphere are created merely by the stunning visual style. Haven't seen much of Paradise yet, but everything with Sokal's magic touch is worth checking out.

Solid Snake · 06-04-2006, 03:05 AM

Blade runner period

Ninth · 06-04-2006, 04:16 AM

You mean of course Blade Runner, the movie?

Seriously, as a big fan of the movie, I found the atmosphere in the game disappointing. True, some part very really good, but others didn't fit at all.
Of course, the awfully pixellated character didn't help, when compared to the gorgeous background.

06-01-2006, 03:55 PM	#1
Roman5 Guest Posts: n/a	Games with good atmosphere What games come to mind when you think of ones you played where there was a real sense of atmosphere, and where you feel you're practically there inside the game? Where for instance, the sense of summer is almost palpable, birds twittering, ocean sounds, sunshine, etc such as in return to mysterious island. Or where the mood is really creepy or heavy such as in sanitarium. For me, return to mysterious island, voyage, keepsake, sanitarium, black mirror, realms of the haunting, still life, zork nemesis and grand inquisitor all come to mind. I think first person adventures, ( particularly nodal point type games which also seem to heighten the sense of being alone in your surroundings), have more atmosphere anyway. What ones can you think of that immerse you by almost atmosphere alone? * borderline. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-01-2006, 03:59 PM	#2
SamNMax Guest Posts: n/a	Dark Fall Myst series Monkey Island Gabriel Knight Probably more. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-01-2006, 04:12 PM	#3
thriftweed Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 39	Grim fandango Monkey Island 1,2,3 Share Share this post on Twitter

06-01-2006, 04:17 PM	#4
artwking4 Jack Bauer loves you Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,524	Quest for Glory, specifically, the fourth one set in the autumn season with a Transylvania-like background. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. -- Robert A. Heinlein

06-01-2006, 04:17 PM	#5
wezyap Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 75	The longest journey and of course Monkey island 1,2,3 Share Share this post on Twitter

06-01-2006, 06:01 PM	#6
Gonchi Adventure Game Elitist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Uruguay Posts: 831	Dreamweb, Rise of the Dragon and Noctropolis come to mind. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Currently Playing: Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade Currently Reading: Guards! Guards! "El tiempo me enseñó que la miseria es culpa de los hombres miserables; que la justicia tarda y nunca llega pero es la pesadilla del culpable." - Lo Que El Tiempo Me Enseñó

06-02-2006, 07:14 AM	#7
Jelena Lazy Bee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 7,518	No doubt about it: Myst series. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Temporary guest in your life

06-02-2006, 07:14 AM	#8
trudysgarden Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CNY Posts: 58	Amber Journey Beyond, Darkfall Lights Out come to mind. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-02-2006, 10:24 AM	#9
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	Monkey Island 1 and 2 Simon the Sorcerer 1 Dune Grim Fandango Riven Dark Fall Still Life Syberia Callahan's Crosstime Saloon All these games have excellent coherent amospheres. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look.

06-02-2006, 10:47 AM	#10
Litrick hello Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 379	Grim Fandango is the most atmospheric game i have ever played. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-03-2006, 12:38 PM	#11
jelly3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 147	Definately realms of the haunting, as you said, but also Alone in the Dark. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-03-2006, 01:18 PM	#12
BerserkerTails Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 359	To me, I find that IF games usually drag me into the atmosphere the most, especially really well made ones. The last one I played that did this was Infocom's "The Lurking Horror", which I played through a few months back. Definitely very atmospheric. Though a lot of games that have very few locations really drag me in. Games like "Enclosure", "5 Days a Stranger" and "The Colonel's Bequest" are perfect examples of this. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Play Two of a Kind.

06-03-2006, 01:30 PM	#13
LeisureSuitedLooney Rabid Tasmanian Devil Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,158	Zork: Nemesis The Colonel's Bequest Shivers 1 Dark Fall 1 The Gabriel Knight Trilogy Sanitarium Thief: The Dark Project Leisure Suit Larry 7 With the exception of LSL7, those all had an atmosphere of suspense or dread that really drew me in. I included LSL7 because I felt the music, the differently-themed ship areas, the sound and visuals really brought out the "party cruise" kind of feel you get on that type of cruise. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-03-2006, 02:40 PM	#14
insane_cobra gin soaked boy Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Virovitica, Croatia Posts: 4,093	Blade Runner, best atmosphere ever, in any genre. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ What you piss in is yours for life.

06-03-2006, 02:43 PM	#15
saucyminx Schoolgirl From Hell Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,930	GK3. The whole "based-on-a-real-location" really helped throwing me into its atmosphere. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "My life is my longest journey I wish to fulfill with my dreams..." "Or is it I who has penetrated you?"

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06-04-2006, 03:05 AM	#19
Solid Snake Slim Shady Join Date: May 2006 Location: Outer Heaven Posts: 727	Blade runner period Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I’m gonna make you hate me cause you ain’t me.

06-03-2006, 11:45 PM	#17
Timbo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 165	Myst Series. Hands Down. ESPECIALLY when you do what they recommend; that is to say, put on a nice pair of headphones, and turn off the lights. It REALLY draws you in =o Timbo Share Share this post on Twitter

06-04-2006, 01:22 AM	#18
Iron Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 11	Gabriel Knight 3 and Syberia. GK3 has so much real information and optional exploration that you can really dive into it, but the best part is that the game doesn't force you to do so. Also the realistic location, and the 3d-structure, that allows you to explore the enviroment in a totally new way. A perfect example of a well-used 3d engine. Syberia on the other hand has the most brilliant 2d backgrounds that I've witnessed, and its a rare occasion where the mood and atmosphere are created merely by the stunning visual style. Haven't seen much of Paradise yet, but everything with Sokal's magic touch is worth checking out. Share Share this post on Twitter

06-04-2006, 04:16 AM	#20
Ninth Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paris, France Posts: 6,409	You mean of course Blade Runner, the movie? Seriously, as a big fan of the movie, I found the atmosphere in the game disappointing. True, some part very really good, but others didn't fit at all. Of course, the awfully pixellated character didn't help, when compared to the gorgeous background. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ...It's down there somewhere. Let me have another look.