[QUOTE="ThePlothole"][QUOTE="PandaBear86"] I disagree. Atmosphere is judged by your senses (what you see and what you hear). Movies have zero gameplay, yet some thriller/horror movies have better atmosphere than any game.
Gameplay is basically moving analog sticks with your thumbs. I don't see know this affects atmosphere in any way. Atmosphere is judged by visual/hearing senses, not pressing buttons on a gamepad. If Silent Hill had PS3 graphics, it would GREATLY improve the atmosphere in ways that gameplay can't. Unless your defintion of "atmoshphere" is different to mine.
That's not gameplay, it's control. Gameplay is the mechanics. Among other things it is whether you are a walking arsenal or almost defenseless. If you're suppose to kill the enemy or escape from it.
Atmosphere is the mood something sets. Mechanics like these helped set the mood for Silent Hill. As did the graphics and sound, despite being primitive by today's standards. In fact I wonder if the fog element that added to this games claustrophobic feel would have been implemented today, when draw distance isn't such an obvious issue anymore.
Okay. I feel convinced by your posts :) Perhaps you are right. Gameplay does effect atmosphere in certain ways. In most horror games, you always have limited ammunition, which means you cant go around kicking doors down and blazing your guns like Rambo. Maybe that alone adds to the atmosphere, since horror games force you to accept the fact that you aren't as strong as you want to be? But apart from that Graphics still do have a massive effect on atmosphere. Sound effects are important as well. 
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