Quality video games manage to create interesting atmospheres that keep the player engaged and entertained, using sound effects, music, lighting, and graphics. These atmospheric games range from relaxing and chill gaming experiences to thrilling and intriguing settings. So here are six atmospheric video games that will keep you glued to the screen for hours.
This list will be ranked in no particular order.
Hitman: Blood Money
Hitman: Blood Money is considered by many to be the best entry in the franchise. This has to do with the freedom of gameplay, the plot, the missions, and of course the atmosphere.
Blood Money is a slow-paced game where the player needs to be patient and methodical. The game manages to create a calm, thrilling and intimidating atmosphere that fits the theme of the game very well.
Music plays a major part in this regard; depending on your choices and actions throughout the game, different, beautiful, and unique music tracks will play. This track is a good example of that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwiX4X61gNE
BioShock
The entire BioShock franchise features brilliant atmospheric environments, but I consider the first two games to be the ones that perfectly execute that. The game takes place in unusual environments like underwater cities so the atmosphere is mostly dark and chilling, with sounds of water, footsteps, etcetera. The utilization of lighting in order to create this atmosphere is noticeable.
These games also tell a thrilling and intriguing story so it’s really worth playing. I recommend that you check out BioShock: The Collection, which includes all three games in the trilogy. You can often find it on sale at Humble Store.
Assassin’s Creed
The first Assassin’s Creed game is a title that I consider to be one of the best in the franchise. That is mostly due to the gritty atmosphere of the game, which still holds up pretty well to this day, despite its age.
This game uses different color palettes for each of the areas that you explore in the game. These hues and lighting effects are far from realistic, but it manages to create a memorable and unique atmosphere for the player to be engaged in.
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Speaking of older AC games, we recommend that you try the Assassin’s Creed 2 Reshade Remaster 2020 mod. It’s one of the best graphics mods that vastly improve older games.
Fallout: New Vegas
Considered by many to be the best game in the franchise and one of the greatest games in general, Fallout: New Vegas is clearly a masterpiece that deserves the praise it gets. The color palette and the music of the game are the most noticeable things in the interesting atmosphere.
But there are some who dislike the yellowish lighting of the game as it can be somewhat unrealistic and distracting. Nonetheless, the game takes place in a desert wasteland. Exploring the dusty, barren but beautiful locales never gets old.
Control
Remedy’s Control is one of the most graphically impressive games out there, especially if you enable ray-tracing effects. The entire game takes place in a vast and beautifully crafted institute.
The atmosphere that this game creates is a suspenseful and thrilling one. It fits the theme of the game very well. It can be somewhat scary and disturbing sometimes, and that adds to the charm.
Resident Evil Franchise
All of the Resident Evil games are very atmospheric survival horror games that manage to scare the player while also keeping them glued to the screen. The grotesque and oftentimes dark environments of Resident Evil is a reason why this franchise is so loved in the gaming community.
The slow-paced, methodical gameplay loop allows the player to see small details and secrets that enhance the overall experience. We would argue that Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is the most atmospheric of the games, but they are all known for their creepy environments.
