Video games are able to bring players to a whole new level of immersion, more even than many other forms of entertainment. With fully realized game worlds, intuitive mechanics, and challenging obstacles, video games suck players in and don’t let go.
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Like many other art forms, video games don’t only explore the fluffy side of life, but delve into the darker aspects as well. Exploring subjects that make players uncomfortable and then forcing them to confront these through the gameplay, can create some truly memorable video games. Moving through these game worlds can feel oppressive, with theirclaustrophobic atmospheres, challenging enemies, or complex puzzles.
Observationputs players in control of an AI program aboard a space station where something hasgone terribly wrong. The task is to help the surviving astronaut discover what has happened to her crew and how to get home.
The voyeuristic and static nature of the game creates a creeping atmosphere, where players can only watch as the protagonist struggles to survive. The game is mainly puzzle-based but unfolds as a mysterious and engaging story.Observationis a slow-burning yet immersive experience that fans of horror and sci-fi will love.
9Metro 2033: Redux
Metascore: 77
This action-horror FPS game, based on the novel by Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky, plunges players into a bleak and desolate world of post-apocalyptic Moscow. With the population forced to live within the metro system, society is on the brink of total collapse as the last remnants struggle to survive against each other and mutated monsters.
Metro 2033is a claustrophobic gem, where the dangers of the world aren’t just monsters and men, but the elements themselves. The darkness and loneliness of the setting translate perfectly to the gameplay,bringing players into the desperate worldof the metro.
This tough and extremely bleak dungeon crawler has become a cult favorite among gamers for its brutal difficulty and unforgiving mechanics. InFear & Hunger, players will need to explore the dangerous world, where combat can have dire consequences.
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The game doesn’t hold players’ hands and may put off a lot of gamers who aren’t used to this level of difficulty.Fear & Hungerhas an addictive quality though and will suck players into its bleak and oppressive world where each decision could be the last.
When it comes to an oppressive atmosphere, there are few games that do it better thanDarkwood. This tough survival horror game takes players into a dark and twisted world where they must explore and survive the various dangers within the woods.
Darkwoodlives and breathes fear and isolation, rather than relying on jump scares for its horror. Players will move slowly through the world, not knowing what is just out of sight. The soundscape and design bring another level to the horror, with every moment played feeling oppressive.
This psychological horror game takes the classic setting of a haunted house and immerses players in a constant state of unease. Separated into four main chapters,Visagetells the tale of the different residents of the house and their horrific histories.
Like in all great haunted house stories, the main character inVisageis the house itself. With every room smothered in a silent and foreboding atmosphere. Wearing headphones while playingVisageis a must, as the many creaks, thumps, and bangs create a constant feeling of tension and foreboding that fans of horror will remember.
This gory Metroidvania gem takes many gameplay mechanics directly from theDark Soulsseries but has a tone and style all of its own.Salt and Sanctuaryis a worthy addition to any Metroidvania fan’s game library with a muted color scheme, challenging difficulty, and depressing atmosphere.
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This may not be the most original game out there, but its dark design and bleak and oppressive tone blend perfectly with itsblood-soaked combat.Salt and Sanctuaryis perfect for fans of Souls games and Metroidvanias looking for a new challenge.
Frictional Games sci-fi horror classic brings players into a claustrophobic nightmare, where the central protagonist wakes up in a facility deep within the ocean, not knowing how he got there or why. The game drips with atmosphere and takes psychological horror to a whole new level.
As the story unfolds,Somaexplores subjects that are as deep as the setting, such as the notion of self and personhood, and presents the player with moral obstacles, as well as terrifying enemies. The game is amasterclass in atmosphere, where players feel the ever-present isolation and hopelessness along with the central character.
One of the most defining horror games of a generation,Amnesia - Dark Descentholds up today as it did on release. InAmnesia, the oppressive atmosphere doesn’t only come from the dark and dangerous world, but from the mind of the central character.
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The sanity mechanic in the game creates the perfect horror setting, where spending too long in the dark or looking at enemies for extended periods will affect the mind of the protagonist, Daniel. This creates a living breathing world, where danger can lurk in every shadow and a dying light can mean game over.
One of themost defining horror games of all time,Silent Hill 2brought players into a bleak and terrifying world of disturbing monsters and chilling atmosphere. The game revolves around James Sunderland as he searches for his missing wife.
The game deals with themes of grief, guilt, and mental illness within a setting as bleak as the subjects.Silent Hill 2is the perfect example of taking darker themes and exploring them through design, gameplay, and narrative, creating an immersive and unforgettable gaming experience.
Limbois alandmark horror puzzleplatform game that paved the way for games such asLittle NightmaresandInside. The muted black-and-white color palette, creepy game world, and child protagonist all work together perfectly, creating a bleak and claustrophobic setting that is uncomfortable and engaging.
Limbobrings players into a dangerous world that feels like a long-forgotten child’s nightmare. The haziness of the atmosphere creates a dream-like setting, where nothing is properly in focus and is shrouded in shadow. Limbo is a classic in its genre and still holds up today as a must-play game.
