Top 10 Most Atmospheric Games

It's a psychological thriller at its core, and a fine one at that. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the creators of “Max Payne”, this 2010 title relies heavily on tried-and-true horror elements while still offering an unsettling experience. Telling the story of writer Alan Wake as he ventures through a town beset by supernatural horrors, the game is fully willing to embrace its affection for classic horror. Everything from the importance of lighting and threat of darkness to the choice of tension-raising music is at once a winking nod and a mood-building design choice.

Simplicity is key here. The indie game “Limbo” conveys the basic tale of a boy searching for a girl in a monochromatic, possibly post-apocalyptic realm. However, this bare-bones approach works for “Limbo”, as the game elects to focus on a subdued score and haunting visuals. The world that the player explores is filled with lethal horrors, displayed in black-and-white yet coming across as surprisingly graphic. Coupled with a pervading sense of loneliness and despair, it's quite unique and unforgettable in nature.

The depths of darkness make for good mood building. “Last Light” acts as the sequel to 2010's “Metro 2033”, with series hero Artyom sent to hunt down the last of a race known as the Dark Ones. Thus, players are dropped into a realm in ruin, trekking through dimly-lit metro tunnels while coming to blows with other less-amicable survivors. The game excels in its embrace of a grim tone; locations in the game are often derelict, light is limited, and straight-on combat can quickly lead to death.

Coming home is easy – feeling at home's the tricky part. That's at the core of “Gone Home”, on the surface a straightforward adventure game by developer Fullbright. Set in 1995, the game relies heavily on clues in the environment and a restrained presentation to convey a story of budding love. The feeling of being alone pervades as the player explores more andmore of an Oregon mansion, growing alongside a sense of frustration and longing for companionship. Matched by increasingly heartrending narration and careful use of music, “Gone Home” is as sympathy-inducing as it is atmospheric. Just listening to the rain on the roof will make you forgot that it might actually be a sunny day in the real world.

Scenic views and puzzles aren't the only things to enjoy here. “Riven” acts as a sequel to the hit adventure game “Myst”, with gamers again taking the role of a mysterious figure known as The Stranger. Sent forth into the book-set realm of Riven, The Stranger must explore various isles and even other worlds as part of their quest. Throughout its decaying series of locales, the game's non-linear design mixes well with a general lack of human contact to evoke a feeling of isolation and to prompt reflection. It's quiet and reserved, letting players connect with the experience at their own pace.

In similar fashion to “Dear Esther”, this experience is all about a slow burn to resolution. This open-world adventure game casts you as the paranormal investigator Paul Prospero, following up on a letter from a young fan. From there, “The Vanishing of Ethan Carter” plays out as a string of crime scene investigations that doll out information about the mystery at hand in small doses. Thus, the game keeps players on their toes while also remaining just ambiguous enough to work towards a thought-provoking conclusion. This is all helped greatly by the impressive visuals, which you can now see in the Unreal Engine 4 if you’ve got it on PC.

Something sinister lurks below the surface here, and what a magnificent tone it sets. A joint venture between Nintendo and Retro Studios, “Metroid Prime” marked the first entry in its franchise to use a first-person perspective, which aids greatly in building tension. Heroine and bounty hunter Samus Aran's journey across the abandoned planet Tallon IV is one driven by uncertainty, with subdued colours and plentiful ambient sounds. These little details make for a compelling example of mood in gaming, and punctuate the action sequences nicely.

It's a long and at times lonely walk, but no less emotionally taxing for it. The premise here is simple: you are a hooded traveller, walking across the desert in the hopes of reaching a mountain peak in the distance. Yet the game proper takes the simple idea and fleshes it out into an grandiose and moving tale, relying on shining visuals and inspiring music to keep players motivated. Every step taken and every challenge overcome is made more rewarding by the uplifting feelings “Journey” emphasizes. This emotional voyage was definitely well supported by the Grammy nominated soundtrack by Austin Winton.

Subtlety is something of a lost art, and a vital component of this game's power. As with many instalments of the series, “Silent Hill 2” places its hapless hero James Sunderland into the titular town and pits him against bizarre otherworldly creatures. More important than its focus on the supernatural, though, is the game's use of shrouded environments and a haunting soundtrack. It's designed to slowly build unconscious fear in players, demonstrating a keen understanding of psychological horror that is supported by the harrowing story reveals and ambiguity of the world.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Fallout 3” (2008)
“SOMA” (2015)
“The Swapper” (2013)
“Shadow of the Colossus” (2005)
“Resident Evil” (Remake) (2002)

Not unlike its spiritual predecessor “System Shock 2”, this first-person shooter thrives on atmosphere building. Set in Rapture, an underwater city pitched as a supposed utopia, “BioShock” balances its setting's Art Deco-esque beauty with the decay and devastation inherent to societal collapse. Citizens turned feral, passageways flooded by the sea – the visual experience in Rapture uniformly conveys a tangible sense of disaster. With its twist-filled narrative, classically-inspired soundtrack and brutal action, “BioShock” quite easily embodies a quintessentially tragic world that is noble in nature, yet doomed to fail.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite atmosphere-driven game? For more intense Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.