One of the biggest achievements a game can possess is to make you feel like you're inside the game. Whether that is to your benefit or to scare the hair off your back, it's an almost insurmountable experience that sticks in your mind for eternity. The atmosphere can be thrilling due to graphics, sound, artistic styIe or even simple gameplay mechanics; the rule to make this list is that the atmosphere must affect the game itself in some way and has to be both detailed and cleverly built up. Here is my choice for top 10 atmospheres that can be found in the gaming world. Let's go!
#10: Kingdom Hearts (PS2) (2002)
-I believe I can fly!
I would've loved to be in the board meeting where someone came up with the idea to blend FF characters with the world of Disney. It's one of the craziest ideas ever, but it absolutely, positively works. It works well for the common gamer, but of course, it is by far best that you are familar with the cIassic Disney films. Not in my wildest dreams did I know that I would be venturing into Wonderland, exploring the belly of Monstro, jumping on roofs in Agabah or swimming in Atlantica. It's the definition of nostalgia, and it feels incredible. It breaks every normal gaming convention to bring to you every childhood memory you have. This is KH's greatest aspect, and one I feel hasn't quite been replicated since. The visuals, music remixed from the Disney films and the best little town in any game (Traverse Town) all combine with the Disney motifs to create an experience literally like no other.
#9: Heavy Rain (PS3) (2010)
-That's what you get for wearing zebra stripes. Ridiculous!
It takes a lot of talent to nail the noir atmosphere, but that is exactly what Heavy Rain manages to do. It's dark, gritty, dirty and engrossing, everything you'd expect from some of the best mystery novels. What greatly boosts the atmospheric impact is of course the incredible technical performance. Every emotion is perfectly conveyed. You feel sad when the characters feel sad, you get mad when they get mad etc. But it's not just that. The story pulls you in from the first second, an amazing tale about vengeance, love and sacrifice. It plays out like a visual novel, but goes steps beyond by giving you choice above all else. You can utterly fail and kill off your characters, or succeed and bring the serial killer, the Origami Killer, to justice. It's the constant threat of death in tandem with the unbelievable presentation, that makes Heavy Rain the masterpiece that it is.
#8: Demon's Souls (PS3) (2009)
-No tongue, please. I want to take it slow.
The first word you'll utter in this game will probably be some sort of swear word, and you'll be in pain. This has been repeated way too often but I'll reiterate: you will die. The magic to DSs is that you don't ever want to give up. The dark, grimy castles, treacherous poisonous swamps, burning caves and empty ruins may seem threatening because that's exactly what they are. You'll feel the familiar creeping of agony down your spine, but that soon transcends into sublime euphoria when you sink your sword into a dangerous foe. There's just something...inexplainable about DSs and how it affects you. What amplifies it further is the silence through most of the stages, which then is broken by fantastic music in battles with boss creatures. It scares you while hooking you in. You'll be helpless but at the same time, filled with courage. It's a difficult balancing act, but From Software most certainly succeeded in doing the impossible. For that reason, DSs reaches the number eight spot.
#7: The World Ends With You (DS) (2008 )
-Be sure to eat right, and dress responsibly!
I love Japan. I love JRPGs. So imagine a JRPG happening in Japan and you have TWEWY. The game has a lot of swagger, and fully knows how to deliver it in the most effective way. You'll encounter fashion fanatics, foreign foods, graffiti and a whole load of odd enemies looking like a blend of ink and fantastically designed enemies. The atmosphere is dark and dreary, but surprisingly, not boring or foreboding. I honestly can't get enough of the damp streets of Shibuya, with awesome J-pop playing in the background. It's a blast of ethnic singularity which gets you into the mood for more Noise-smashing (the enemies are called Noise, just so you know). And of course, nothing beats going to the local noodle shop and ordering some savory ramen. All of these brilliant intricacies are shoved into the DS without showing any hardware limitations. It's just awesome.
#6: Final Fantasy X (PS2) (2001)
-Auron would beat Chuck Norris any day.
Let's look past the still-amazing graphics to see what really matters: how tangible is the world itself? The answer is "very". OK, that sounds a bit weird, so let me rephrase it: I would literally like to live in Spira. Yes, Sin isn't exactly a positive aspect of the land, but look at Luca, Besaid, even Zanarkand! These places are mesmerisingly beautiful and ridiculously detailed. FFX is one of those games where looking at it will just make you feel all warm inside. Of course, this is greatly aided by what is surely one of the best soundtracks in gaming history. The team of Uematsu, Hamauzu and Nakano have created something truly special here. If you don't love Spira, you're playing it wrong!
#5: Resident Evil 4 (GC) (2005)
-Before there was Heavy Rain, there was...Bloody Rain!
There's survival horror, then there's Resident Evil 4. Breaking from the rigid controls of the first series of RE games, RE4 barged its way on the scene and set the standard for all horror games to come. However, where it set the standard the most, for me, is atmosphere. The tense nature of the game never dissipates, you will always fear what lies around the next corner, you'll wonder what that sound was behind you, you'll look at the ammo left in your gun. If you go through the game relaxed, then that is not the game's fault. Then you're just some sort of superhuman. Every part of the game compliments the atmosphere. The great audio, the claustrophobic controls, the gritty visuals, the superb design, the excessive gore even. The game feels like an A-list B-movie, if that makes any sense at all. It's utterly engrossing and scary as a rotten Twinky.
#4: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3) (2010)
-So...awesome...
Yeah, yeah, two 2010 games on this list. However, I just couldn't at all exclude FFXIII. This gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous game doesn't only boast graphics that simply transcend anything that has come before it but its design is just amazing. The detail, the polish, the scale, the beauty, the diversity; it's all an experience almost unparalelled in the gaming world. I already mentioned this in my top 10 graphics list (where this game sat snugly in the top spot), but just looking at a sunset in this game is enough to stir you up. Of course, like in all FFs, the thirteenth entry also has a bevy of amazing music which compliments every moment, particularly the epic (I don't use this word often) final battle. The game is an absolute showcase of every atmospheric element. I can't stress this enough: get this game!
#3: Metroid Prime (GC) (2002)
-HULK SMASH!!
What happens when you take an already brilliant and engrossing franchise and put it into 3D? You get one of the most atmospheric games of all time. Metroid Prime almost effortlessly manages to present a world so rich in detail, backstory and beauty, and more than half of the adventure will be put in just exploring every inch of this magnificent planet (Tallon IV, if my memory serves me correctly). The ambiant sounds, mysterious creatures and abyssal scan system help create a living world with endless possibilities. You'll be exploring lava pits, mysterious swamps, eery pirate dens and irradiated worlds of wonder. Of course, the technically amazing graphics are a sight to see as well, but it's the design that takes the delicious cake.
#2: Bioshock (360/PC/PS3) (2007/2008 )
-I wonder how media pirates would end up in Rapture...
Bioshock...is...a...masterpiece. I've said this often, and I'll say it again. Masterpiece! But for all its depth, incredible story and novel gameplay, the real star here is the city, Rapture. The definition of a utopia turning into a dystopia, this underwater city is (sorry for the cliche here) a character in and of itself. The cracked glass, the remnants of a New Years party, open suitcases, lonely corpses, grisly sights like in the picture above and just the overall mystery are what makes Rapture unique. Everytime I plunge into the depths, I feel like I'm in another world, and I don't want to leave. I SHOULD want to leave, but I most certainly don't. With all the Big Daddies roaming the halls, the hidden audio tapes and crazy Splicers, you can't help feeling absolutely attached to this disturbing environment. I love every part of it.
#1: Dead Space (PS3/360) (2008 )
-Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.
Oh, the surprise! Now, I'm not a big space fan. Space is a dreary, usually boring place. But like the film Sunshine did in the world of cinema, Dead Space nails the space atmosphere. You are alone, so alone. Something is wrong, and you are equipped with only a few mining tools. You are vulnerable, weak, hopeless and left for dead. DS is the scariest game I have ever played. Granted, I've yet to play the Silent Hill and Fatal Frame games, but until then, DS is safely on the top. I am mortified by this game. When I first popped it in, I literally shook with fear. Obviously, I got over the initial fright, played the game and loved it (as some of my previous blogs showed so clearly). Taking its cues from RE4, DS is a slightly more fluid version. However, it retains the frights while amplifying the atmospheric tension. Every hall is different, unique and terrifying. You'll find audio, written and video logs detailing what happened on the USG Ishimura. Necromorphs (the alien baddies of the game) pop out of ceiling vents, hungry for flesh. Zero-gravity sessions keep you on your toes, while treks into oxygen-less areas leaves you hearing only the panting and screaming of your very own character. It's not only a harrowing experience, it's an unforgettable one. Amazing design, incredible attention to detail (you've heard that more than once, haven't ya?), some of the best sound design in any game ever, fantastic graphics, brilliant use of shadows and a hauntingly beautiful setting help Dead Space keep itself in front of all competition. Venture into space if you dare, folks, because what awaits you will only end in misery. And bucketloads of fun, of course.
Those are my top 10 atmospheres in gaming. I hope you enjoyed the list, and would love to hear of your very own favorites down in the comments section. Until next time!
-Calvinsora