Hey all, I’m on the hunt for games that really suck you into their world, the kind where you look up and suddenly three hours have gone by.
Games I’ve loved and couldn't put down:
- Plague Tale
- Horizon
- Subnautica
- Mass Effect
- Expedition 33
- Homeworld
Doesn’t matter the gente, as long as it’s got that vibe where you just exist in the atmosphere and forget about everything else.
What are your go-to games when you want to disappear into another world? Bonus appreciation if it’s something underrated or off the beaten path.
Edit: Thank you all. I will definitely keep this thread bookmarked. You all dwarved what I found on Reddit ir any other platform! Well done!
162 Comments
WolfLink@sh.itjust.works · 37 pts · 1d
Outer Wilds
Space puzzle exploration game. It’s the kind of game where it’s best to go in as blind as possible. I will say no more.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 8 pts · 1d
I tried it. I think I'm not smart enough for the puzzles. I go to a place and don't seem to be able to complete much. It says there's something left, and I can't find it. It gets frustrating. I still have it installed because I love the atmosphere so much.
FrederikNJS@piefed.zip · 11 pts · 1d
One thing to be aware of is that you can't just go to a location and "complete it"... It's not like normal video games where you just grind until there's nothing left to do in a specific spot. Many times you don't have the necessary knowledge to complete a location, and you must go and explore elsewhere to learn how to proceed in your previous locations.
If you want a more tailored nudge to proceed, feel free to DM me with what you have discovered, and preferably a screenshot of your computer in "Rumor mode"
enemyofsun@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 1d
The game is very nonlinear. If you can't solve a puzzle in one place, you should go to another. Some puzzles require hints from elsewhere.
I had to look up a few solutions when I was done with exploration. That was a little bit unsatisfying but it didn't ruin the game for me.
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1h
They've been making games like that since FOREVER. The original Myst is like that. It can be extremely frustrating and I'd just give up on recommending games like that to people if they push back. It can be very anxiety inducing to walk into an area and wonder obsessively if there is some clue you missed or object you need to pick up to combine with another object and if there is a puzzle where the solution lies...
llii@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 1d
I’ve got this problem too. I played a bit more than you, but now I’m stuck and don’t know how to proceed. It’s more frustrating than engaging. I feel like I already looked for every hint the game provides.
Also I never experienced the much hyped revelations or what everyone talks about.
FrederikNJS@piefed.zip · 5 pts · 1d
The revelations come later.... The early game is mostly driven by an "oh that looks cool" exploration. You start seeing some puzzle pieces. Then as you explore for the sake of exploring, you find a few patterns but can't see how they interact. This is where the game starts to get frustrating, you don't know where to go, and the knowledge you have gained doesn't make enough sense to be able to start piecing things together, this ms where most people get stuck. But if you persevere, then at some point you will discover a piece that connects some of the patterns you found before, and suddenly you can start exploring in a more focused fashion. Only well into this section you start experiencing the revelations.
If you want a more tailored nudge to proceed, feel free to DM me with what you have discovered, and preferably a screenshot of your computer in "Rumor mode"
llii@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 1d
Thanks, I’ll need to get back to the games some time.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
I could check a guide. But am too stubborn to do that. Checking a guide feels like falling. 😄
blargh513@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1d
I bought it two years ago, still haven't played past the first little cave thing. I suppose I'll find my way back to it this winter.
minfapper@piefed.social · 1 pts · 1d
I bought it specifically because its soundtrack was absolutely amazing (not knowing anything about the game itself).
Unfortunately, it did not play as well as it sounded 😿
Peffse@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 1d
Prey (2017)
There were so many moments where I got lost in the environmental details. One of the more memorable ones was finding an office environment where almost everybody is emailing each other about how much they hate a guy because he's too hardworking and overzealous.
When you actually find that guy's desk, it's obvious that he's been given no resources to do his job... and that he's only trying to contribute any way he can. Even worse, he's got a whiteboard that if you flip it around, you find that it's got mathematical equations on it, hinting that he might have been a lot smarter than people gave him credit for.
EDIT:spelling
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1h
✅ Arkane Studios, hot off Dishonored 2
✅ Spiritual Successor to System Shock
That's enough for me. Wishlisted!
nick@campfyre.nickwebster.dev · 1 pts · 1d
I have had this on my steam wishlist for a while. I'll definitely pick it up the next time I buy a game :)
ScoobyDoo27@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 2d
Red Dead Redemption (both games) would get my vote. Easily in my top 5 games.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1d
First time playing RDR2, I waved at a dude on a carriage and asked him to stop. Next thing I knew I was being shot at by the sheriff. No idea why that would be considered bad or a punishable offense. Lost all interest in playing after that sadly. And it was like in the first town you get to visit in the game too.
lath@piefed.social · 7 pts · 1d
Stage coach robbery.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
Thank you for actually giving me an answer to the mechanic behind this. Legitimately had no clue.
popetackler@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1d
I feel the game is not the issue here.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1d
Ah yes, the game definitely isn't the issue. I should have just known that hitting the prompt to wave to a passing by stagecoach twice in a row was against the law somehow. In a game I just started playing. Yep, definitely a skill issue.
popetackler@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1d
And you decided to stop playing because of that one event. Definitely not the game at fault here.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
I do believe I said it definitely isn't the games fault for not telling me about a mechanic that would have me shot at and killed. We've already established that it's absolutely my fault for not knowing something I wasn't taught in-game before it happened. The game is without flaws. Perfect. 10 out of 10. Impossible for someone to have a bad time in without it being their own fault.
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 23h
Absolutely gripping gameplay and dialogue.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 9h
Look, on one hand I see your point, but on the other it's a fuckin game and tutorials are a thing. Except apparently when they aren't. It's the wild west, by the amount of people that were shooting at me afterwards it's clear just about everyone carries a gun so..not sure what your point there is either. Contrary to popular belief, you can indeed be carrying a gun without the intent to use it on every person you have an interaction with. My intention? New town. Talk to NPCs. Stage coach rolls by and button prompt pops up to wave? I do. It pops up again? I do it again to see what happens, to see if the dialogue changes. Chaos ensues followed by a quick death that didn't make sense to me right off the bat. Games can be flawed. I don't have to love a beloved game just because people think I should.
schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1h
I think people are objecting because you are asking it to be something it isn't.
An open world game is something you immerse yourself in and you learn as you go. It is 100% incompatible with strict "win conditions" for every instance. Example: I was playing Fallout: New Vegas and ran into a character who was trying to collect bottlecaps. I offered her some of mine, but, discovering I had bottlecaps, she wanted all of them and IMMEDIATELY started shooting. That was a fun experience, not quite emergent game play, but at least surprising. That is the fun of open world games, they can be unpredictable and context-dependent, and sometimes you only know the context by getting shot at. Your job is to learn the rules of the world as best you can. Though I do understand why you get frustrated, I think it just indicates that open world games are just a genre that you don't enjoy, or at least there are aspects of them that rub you the wrong way.
It would be like if I said, "I don't like tetris because it doesn't have a story. Like, where are the cutscene animatics? Where is the character development?"
Edit: Might be better to say "A to Rob Stagecoach", but that is kind of implying your intent, when all your character is doing is waving it down to stop it, and the response depends on the context... like now every prompt has to predict what the response of the action will be.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1h
This has been the best take I've seen on my issue with the game so far. Cuz you're right, I'm not super hot on open world games. Saying that, I did indeed take the whole experience as a learning moment but the game in general just didn't keep my interest afterwards. That was just the most memorable part of the game in my brief time trying it out.
And look, while I completely understand that not every game is gonna hand hold (I honestly prefer they don't), I do expect some sort of in-game example or..hell, even some side dialogue saying that could happen that could still be fully in-world and immersive. The game is huge, it's gonna have some flaws here and there, and at the end of the day it just wasn't for me. And me having an issue with a small part of the game has clearly rubbed some people the wrong way, and me the wrong way in their response.
shweddy@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1d
Isnt rdr2 just wild west gta? Why not just shoot back or reload and avoid him? I'm just curious
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
I did try a few times, died each time. So moved on for a bit but quickly lost interest in it sadly. I'm sure I'll give it another shot down the road somewhere and get better enjoyment out of it then.
pentastarm@piefed.ca · 16 pts · 1d
Cyberpunk 2077 and the DLC. Just, so preem.
systemglitch@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1d
I'm on my third playthrough. Mods to add immersion, nothing more
Turned the hud and mini map off and walk everywhere within the city. For the first time in hundreds of hours, I'm actually learning the city instead of following lines.
This is by far my favourite playthrough. Maxed out street cred before meeting Panam.
I heard someone say how amazing it was to turn off all the visual clutter and they were so right.
What a game!
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
Had to look up "preem."
Learned something I won't be able to use much.
Mika@piefed.ca · 4 pts · 1d
Cyberpunk has a whole layer of simplified English and futuristic slang that just kinda makes sense
Friego@piefed.ca · 3 pts · 1d
Don't let your dreams be dreams, choom
Mika@piefed.ca · 14 pts · 1d
Freelancer was such a game, it's old though. Wish there was anything like it.
Obvious TES 3-5, bg3, Cyberpunk, Gothic 1-2, Elden Ring.
Tainted Grail.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
Keep an eye on "Underspace". Could be your thing.
DosDude@retrofed.com · 4 pts · 1d
Not op, but thank you! I'll check this out. Freelancer + eldritch sounds amazing!
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
gukleszl4hs48ughgxhr5xgd@fedia.io · 13 pts · 1d
These games definitely are not for everyone, but they fit the ask in my opinion:
Caves of Qud
Project Zomboid
skulblaka@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 1d
I am the world's biggest Qud stan and will always up vote it in the wild
It's a very weird game, but if you can pierce the surface of it, it has such an incredible amount to offer you.
Fedop@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 9h
CoQ is an example of a game that gives you so much when you invest time in it. If you're into that, I would also recommend Cogmind. It's similar in that the world has so much texture, both in lore and mechanics. We're lucky have so many great roguelikes to choose from!
skulblaka@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 7h
Cogmind is my favorite game that I'm absolutely garbage at, I've been following the development cycle of it for probably over 10 years now and it's a huge component of why I love roguelikes as much as I do.
But fuck me that game is hard. I have a fairly comprehensive, wide and deep pool of knowledge about a semi-majority of the content in the game, but... I just can't stay alive. The attrition kills me, every time, I don't think I've ever made it past -06 or so on my best run. Pro advice always consists of "Oh just don't get into fights" but that's a lot easier said than done when you've got half a dozen swarmers on your tail that are faster than you are, are all busy calling backup, and are peppering you with 18 shots a round as you fruitlessly attempt to seek cover.
Anyway, yeah, great game. Love it to death. I'm real bad at it. It seems like probably most people are real bad at it, and there are just a couple of mega wizards that make the game look easy in ways that are incomprehensible to the rest of us. Especially doing things like wheel or leg builds, in my experience that's just slow suicide that is locked in the moment you decide to commit to it, they're just outright too slow to manage. I find that this is a game where you have to be faster than your opponents, no matter what, it is a hard requirement of survival - therefore, I do not survive unless I equip flight units. So I equip flight units and then I can't carry anything because their carry weight smokes dong, so I die to attrition because I get my parts shot off and don't have backups. So I get frustrated and do a legs build that's strapped down with four shotguns and then I die to active combat because I can't escape anyone.
Point being, if you're any good at Cogmind, I'd love some pointers or some advice on how you play. I've dabbled in this game for nearly a decade and I'm tired of being so straight up bad at it. I feel like I've been misunderstanding some fundamental principle of how you're supposed to play the game, and reading pro guides on the internet hasn't really filled me in on much other than a) try to avoid fights when possible (okay, fair, but this definitely isn't always possible) and b) other people always seem to find cooler loot more consistently than I do. Guides will start off right out of the gate like "okay, first thing's first, find a datajack and some hackware and get some flight" and I'm like, brother, I'm in -07 and I've found one datajack and two flight units in the whole game so far. You want a [Lgt. Assault Rifle]? I got those. Not much else.
Quetzalcutlass@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1d
A lot of zombie games try to be realistic, but Project Zomboid is the only one that genuinely feels like reality. It uses zoomed out isometric graphics and is still miles more immersive than any first person zombie survival game out there.
Maestro@fedia.io · 13 pts · 1d
Try Valheim. It leaves Early Access in less than a month. It's real good and pretty.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
I've seen it suggested here a few times.
Will take a look. Thanks.
cattywampas@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 1d
Breath of the Wild
kata1yst@sh.itjust.works · 11 pts · 1d
Ghost of Tsushima.
quickenparalysespunk@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 1d
the correct answer.
Notyou@sopuli.xyz · 11 pts · 1d
Disco Elysium. I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned yet. There was also legal drama with the original creators, so feel free to pirate. Not that Lemmy needs convincing of it.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 5h
I can't get it to run with Linux. Must check again...
PancakesCantKillMe@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 51m
https://www.protondb.com/app/632470
You should as lots of folks say it works straight away.
yyprum@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 1d
There's this game that's actually really short, around two hours gameplay, but in that time they manage to absorve you into a world that after a few years I still remember fondly. The experience is really unique, just like the gameplay.
I am actually surprised it is not already mentioned.
Journey (in steam)
The price is well worth it. And in general, games by that company, annapurna are great examples of atmospheric games.
Stray for instance, it is more classical in the approach to the game style but it is amazing ( you play as a cat in a postapocaliptic world).
Stray (in steam)
And talking of those games another that comes to mind as really absorving is Firewatch. Less action, more adventure style but so pretty.
Firewatch (in steam)
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 1d
Journey is brilliant. Thank you for the reminder. A second run might be in order. It's short enough.
Stray... I probably should love cats for that. I'll take another look.
Firewatch. I've seen it a few times. Should check it out again. At every look it feels like it'll bore me. Might be wrong.
gwl@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 1d
Stray was another case of the marketing made it look like an entirely different game (open world platformer with puzzle elements) when it's really an intentionally linear puzzle game with no platforming
Mucki@feddit.org · 1 pts · 1d
Your post made mine obsolete. Will check out firewatch some day.
rants_unnecessarily@piefed.social · 9 pts · 1d
Kingdom Come Deliverance.
Amazingly beautiful and realistic world with incredible detail. The forests, pastures, meadows and towns are incredible to just walk around in and lose yourself in the atmosphere.
Also the game(s) are very, very, good.
Medieval realistic role playing. You stay as a peasant who can't pretty much do anything. Fight, sneak, or even read. You have to learn everything and you decide what you want to learn by doing it untill you get better.
sockenklaus@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1d
"Realistic" is used very favorably in this case... I get what you mean: Henry's story feels plausible enough to suck you in and I don't mean this as a critique. But it is in no way realistic: Henry starts as a smiths son and is pretty useless at everything but he becomes a proficient fighter in the story and as far as I remember pretty influential. This is extremely unrealistic for his timeline because social mobility in the late middle ages was very much on existent.
pressanykeynow@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 19h
To be fair there are some examples from the middle ages where common people achieve great power in times of trouble.
knobbysideup@sh.itjust.works · 9 pts · 2d
I liked Metro exodus. Black mesa is a nice re-imagined mix of half life I and II
Hazmatastic@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 21h
Cyberpunk 2077. It had a lot to build on with the IP being decades old with a lot of worldbuilding done already. Such a huge, intricate, and alive world. My first playthrough took 200 hours just from exploration, and there's a TON i never got to. Over 1k hours later, there's still connections i haven't made, secrets i haven't found. I honestly haven't found a more immersive game for me.
Runner up: Red Dead Redemption 2. Again, the world is so alive and detailed that my immersion goes off the charts. Another 200hr first playthrough. NPCs have lives and schedules, the voice acting is fantastic, and the overall world building is immaculate. Tiny details that 0.01% of players would ever notice are carefully constructed (Lemat cartridges, looking at you). Wildlife interacts realistically with other wildlife and other stimuli. Cats in cities will search for, find, and hunt mice. I never fast traveled because just riding across the landscape and looking around was a better time. Could not recommend more highly, but watching or playing the first one first is advised.
Godort@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 1d
Satisfactory was this for me.
While I was going through it, i couldn't stop thinking about ways to optimize things while I was supposed to be working, and then after work, I'd make all those changes. This went on for a solid month.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
I have it installed. Trying to get through the story now that of it's out of EA. I played this too much.
dangrousperson@feddit.org · 7 pts · 1d
Control and the Alan Wakes
cRazi_man@europe.pub · 3 pts · 1d
Control was so great. Can't wait for the sequel.
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2d
I just finished Kingdom come Deliverance, and I plan on starting the sequel tomorrow. I really connected with my Henry.
jaycifer@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3h
Ohoho, if you enjoyed the first game the second will be a treat. I recently started replaying the first and was surprised at how janky the mechanics snd progression felt compared to the sequel. Enjoy!
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2h
Thanks, but that plan sort of fell apart.
I downloaded #2 from Gamepass, and after firing a handful of bolts from what looked a lot like the walls of Talmburg, my game crashed.
So I tried again, and it crashed again.
I have a theory that there was a defect in the first batch of Series Xs that causes most 3D First person games to crash. I've had the issue with many games but off the top of my head I remember having major issues with Starfield, Borderlands 4, The medieval Doom, Avowed, and now KCD2.
So, I started playing Black Jacket instead. Seems alright so far. I'd recommend checking it out if you're a fan of Slay the spire, Inscryption, or Balatro.
Dettweiler42@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 7 pts · 1d
Elite: Dangerous consumed a significant part of my life for quite some time, especially when I discovered VR.
I became one with my ships. Bounty hunting, exploration, and mining were my main staples.
sadie_sorceress@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1d
Yeah same with me, I'd get lost for hours in that game just smuggling items from system to system. I'm not even sure if I ever figured out if there's an actual story in the game, the flying in space was all I needed.
Amberskin@europe.pub · 7 pts · 1d
The Witcher 3.
Awesome writing, really beautiful rendering, really good main history and side quests.
Watch one of the thousands of ‘how to start the Witcher 3’ to avoid common mistakes at the beginning of the game. And be ready for plenty of hours in The Continent.
(Oh, and forget the Netflix series, the games follow a completely different canon)
BenLeMan@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2d
Assassin's Creed: Black Flag offered a welcome reprieve from the real world ten years ago. I loved cruising the gorgeous Caribbean looking for treasure and adventure. The recent remake seems to be even prettier if unfortunately buggy still.
BurntWits@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 1d
Elder Scrolls games are the obvious pick, but they’re obvious for a reason. This is basically their whole deal. I found Skyrim to be especially good at this, even though I’d consider Oblivion to be the better game. I have about 5600 hours in Skyrim and less than 1000 in Oblivion despite preferring Oblivion, so that should say something about how easy it is to get lost in the world of Skyrim.
Fallout games will be similar to Elder Scrolls in that regard. Bethesda really is just good at that.
Elden Ring for sure, especially if you’re good at the game. I usually suck at video games but I’m surprisingly decent at soulslikes for some reason, and I just found hanging out in the world of Elden Ring and especially its DLC to be super immersive. If you keep dying over and over it might not be as engaging though.
mursejoy@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
I played a lot of Skyrim on the 360. I need to give it a proper go on PC and really lose myself.
I wonder how the OG Skyrim/oblivion run on SteamDeck.
BurntWits@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 23h
Definitely give it a try. And if you really like it, try modding it too. It’s insane how big the modding scene is for Skyrim.
Drasglaf@sopuli.xyz · 6 pts · 1d
The first game that came to mind after reading your post is Subnautica, such a great game!
I'm going to recommend 3 smaller games that I found to be very atmospheric.
The Invincible: A scifi walking simulator based on an iconic novel. The music and the graphics suck you in and the voice acting helps keeping you interested. I recently replayed it and loved it again.
Gris: A small platformer on the easier side with beautiful hand-drawn graphics and (IMO) great music. It tells a sad story without words, so good.
Oxenfree: A scifi thriller in the form of a side-scrolling platformer. I played it years ago so I don't remember much of it (my memory is crap like that) but I know it left a very good impression, especially its atmosphere.
Honorable mention to Valheim, which I see mentioned in the thread ore than once. Great atmosphere and gameplay loop, although for me it lost some of its charm in the later biomes they released afterwards.
I hope you find any of these to your liking.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 4 pts · 1d
I completed Subnautica thrice. A normal, a vegetarian and a speed run. 😄 So awesome!
I will check out The Invincible. Thanks.
Gris is done and dusted. Hot recommendation. Such a great game. Thanks for reminding me.
Oxenfree... I saw it many times. Never have it a chance. Maybe now...
Drasglaf@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 1d
Let me know what you think of them if you end up playing them, I'm always curious to read what others think of games I love.
Milksteaks@midwest.social · 1 pts · 19h
Kinda late but astrometica is like subnautica but in space. It's still in early access and needs a bit of work, but I couldnt stop playing for about a week
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 17h
Thank you. Looks awesome. The vibe of Subnautica is unbeaten for me so far. What would I give up experience that again.
"[Whooosh] ... ... Neptune 1 Rocket - online."
"Ready to launch on your command, captain."
"We are different, but we go together."
El_Scapacabra@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
Definitely try Oxenfree, I've played it twice and also played the sequel (which is great but the first one is better imo)
It's an amazing story, very original and immersive, I wanted to figure out what the hell was going on the whole time. Plus the soundtrack is great too.
EvilBit@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1d
Go retro and play System Shock 2. Just trust.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
That game was hard. :-)
EvilBit@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d
I also really loved Max Payne 2 and Tron 2.0 from that era.
sadie_sorceress@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1d
I've been playing Pal World this past week and been having a lot of fun exploring and discovering the world. The atmosphere is quite cartoony but you can also have a pet monkey with a gun go into battle with you. I've spent hours at a time just wandering the lands discovering new areas and also get lost in the base building aspect of the game.
vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 19h
Fallout NV
While it may not be everyone's cup of tea there's something about playing NV with radio NV running and running around the emptier parts of the map, then I get jumped by a bunch Romaboo larpers.
Arcanum
While it's immesian is a bit different it's music and story telling can drag me in easily.
Outer wilds
Death is inevitable, so you may as well enjoy some music with your pals.
Dzheyk@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1d
The Death Stranding games are fantastic for immersing yourself into the world. I'll also shout out Batman Arkham Night (second game in the series) as that's one of the few games I've played in the past decade where once I beat it I just sat there in silence as the credits rolled..just..contemplating life. It was great.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 1d
Just two that I feel I want to mention in here:
Duskers. What a game!
Dave the Diver. We all know it already, I trust.
RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1d
Project Zomboid, easily.
Elden Ring.
I played the original PC98 eroge/hentai game A Girl Who Chants Love At the Bound of This World YU-NO, and despite a very small amount of the content being the sex scenes which are totally skippable, with a few being pretty disgusting to me IMO, the rest of the game was phenomenal. If you can look past the bad parts, the good parts are so good. It took me 80 hours to beat the game without a guide, and I loved nearly every second of it. The remake ruined the art style though.
Now for some games I consider the opposite, just for a fun mention:
Starfield. The game having dialogue options that are basically all variants of "you say yes" on some dialogues or "you say no" on others kept taking me out of the immersion. It felt like I wasnt playing my own character, but one the quest writers wanted me to play. The game had plenty of other reasons that kept me out of the immersion to. I like parts of the game, but its not one I can recommend.
Need For Speed Unbound. I bought this game for $5 USD on sale and tried to refund the game after an hour. The NPCs just do not shut up in that first hour I played. They cannot stop yapping in my ear about how "police and politicians are so oppressive to us street racers." Listen, I love cars. I love racing games. When I play a racing game, I just want it to be me and the car. I don't want to be hearing anything about social politics in my racing game. I have to hear enough about it in real life, I don't wanna be hearing more in my relax time. Not to mention they are illegal street racers that literally cause thousands in damages to property and usually multiple fatalities in the races. I still feel robbed. Underground 2 still holds the crown. No talking in my ear when I am driving except to tell me about where more races are, or if I unlocked something. Just the way racing games should be.
e461h@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1d
Sekiro
Lies of P
Hollow Knight & Silksong
CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1d
The biggest mistake everyone makes is that they watch videos about how to play first. It's fine to watch a bit to see if you'd even be interested but once you make the call, if you want to be immersed in a game just play it and experience it yourself!
I noticed you mentioned games with strong stories. I tend to play more open ended games but my first suggestion has a stronger narrative and that is The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human.
The rest are games that sucked up way too much of my time lol:
mohab@piefed.social · 1 pts · 3h
I'd say that's fine for action games, fighting games, and maybe shmups. These genres have a habit of hiding, neglecting to explain, or poorly explaining their central mechanics—e.g. Dodge Offset in Bayonetta, Wonder Liner in The Wonderful 101, or literally any mechanic in fucking Hellsinker 😂
And older, mechanically dense fighting games like Guilty Gear Plus R literally do not have a tutorial. You'd be completely lost without a wiki or guide of some kind.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 4 pts · 1d
Crimson Desert is the world I'm currently lost in.
Dragon's Dogma 1 is also good. The second is prettier to explore, but IMO is a weaker game on the whole compared to DD:DA. 2 is also getting a Dark Arisen dlc, but I don't think it's gonna fix a lot of the fundamental issues the base game has.
VelvetTinkerer@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 1d
A bit retro:
Saffire@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 10h
Noita.
Just be prepared to die. A lot.
Crescent@fedinsfw.app · 4 pts · 1d
Nier Replicant and Nier Automata
RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d
I prefer Gestalt to Replicant, but otherwise good picks.
The father/daughter story is more compelling to me than brother/sister.
Crescent@fedinsfw.app · 1 pts · 1d
Though the Gestalt variant doesn't exist in the remake (but there is a mod now). And canonically that version was made for the "western world" to appeal American players more.
RightHandOfIkaros@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d
And I still think it is better.
It wasn't only for Americans, it was for "everyone oustide of Japan/SEA." That audience meant mostly Europeans and Americans, not only Americans.
Interestingly, Gestalt was the first to be in development, as far as the actual developed game assets go; the version featuring Papa NieR is older. They started developing the Gestalt version first before deciding to make Replicant for Japan/SEA only. Before that choice, everyone was going to get Gestalt.
The developers said they would make Gestalt DLC after hitting a certain sales goal, which was reached, but never made the DLC. Not happy about that one. Glad the mod is finally out though.
Rothe@piefed.social · 3 pts · 1d
Kenshi.
Perhaps not so much for the atmosphere (although it is special), as because you have just spend 3 hours trying to lockpick your way out of your slavecage.
Pattylay@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1d
Valheim
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
X3 or X4 anyone?
wyldrstallyns@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 1d
I realize this may be irresponsible of me to mention, but Skyrim* in VR has had me forget IRL hours by the dozens —often several per session. I'd pop in for a quick game, and finally close out to find it's been dark for hours. 🫨
*modded to your taste, ofc
EarMaster@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1d
The Gothic series comes to mind. The remake of Gothic 1 is pretty decent and is a modern game to easily approach this series.
ramble81@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
Going old school here: Final Fantasy 6
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
I have never played a FF title. What's so special about it? Honest question.
ramble81@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
Most all of the FF series have their own things to them, if I was on my PC I could write a breakdown for every one 😆
But for FF6 in particular, it’s everything about it. The world building, the characters, the music and the themes all suck you in. It will take you at least 50 hours to explore and complete (and this is from a 30 year old SNES game). Are the graphics the greatest? No, it’s an SNES game.
However, it contains a cast of 16 characters, with no true “lead”, each with their own backstory you explore and learn about. Each has unique fighting styles and characteristics. The story explores themes such as slavery, coexistence, self-acceptance, nihilism, genocide, forgiveness and more.
Unlike other games you don’t feel like characters are just thrust in to the narrative, but all have their own reasons for joining and conflict amongst themselves.
I could go on, but I may just have to play it again for the 25th time. If you get it, the OG SNES version is my favorite via emulator, but the Pixel Remaster isn’t bad either.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 5h
Thank you. I will consider this. Appreciate the pitch. :)
nullPointer@programming.dev · 3 pts · 1d
most city builders. "cities: skylines", "nova roma", etc.
a couple of diorama kind of games:
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
Other great ones: Synergy, Farthest Frontier, Wandering Village.
zerofk@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
When it comes to atmosphere and immersion, nothing beats Gothic 1 for me. The original from 2001 has very dated graphics and janky controls, but its immersion is unparalleled.
I have not tried the remake, but have heard mostly positive signals about it.
Another one that impressed me with immersion - mostly in its lack of UI and definitely its sound design - is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Use headphones!
sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 1d
Homeworld sucked you in??? That's pretty cool for a rts. Have you gotten your hands on a copy of the lorebook it was sold with?
Since you're not picky about genre, look at Prey (2014). It has really nice environments to just chill in and great art design. It's an art déco space station
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 1d
Mission 1 - the intro - was cool, mission 2 introduced the first enemy with a badass musical score and mission 3 sucked me in. Unforgettable.
Prey was so immersive! Couldn't put it down.
sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz · 3 pts · 1d
Dude everything about it is just so perfect. It was my first rts and I've just never been able to get into another one because games about war don't have that kind of emotionality.
Purpsle@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
Eastshade was short but while I played it I felt immersed. No combat, just exploring, painting, and helping NPCs. I found a lot of the quests very satisfying with some choice which is nice.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/715560/Eastshade/
zerofk@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
Oh, another one: Syberia 1 and the 4th The World Before. They are point-and-click adventure games.
Siberia 2 is also good but IMO weaker than the first. The third is pretty bad.
Unfortunately Syberia 1 does not work well on modern systems. There is a remake which is a mixed bag. It went too far with adding helper features and changing some puzzles, but the camera and visuals are good.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
I played both Siberias. Wonderful atmosphere!
Never heard of The World Before. Will take a look. Thanks.
Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1d
Sunless Skies. Very atmospheric and a very unique setting.
X-Com. This game made me lose track of time.
mursejoy@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1d
Very excited for the new Star Wars XCOM like. Cant wait to lose many hours.
Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 11h
Looks to be more story and scripted experience than X-COM. Not a bad thing imo, and I'm looking forward to it!
Objection@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 30m
>"Atmospheric" game
>Looks inside
>Water.
Jankatarch@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1d
Journey (2012) - atmosphere is the core mechanic.
Outward - the music is doing much of the work, the UI kinda breaks immersion tho.
Ilixtze@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 1d
There is a little horror game called withering rooms, and i loved every minute of it, it has this weird quirky, mean spirited aura of old adventure games and a great setting. Also i made myself a shotgun witch.
tb_@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1d
When I read atmospheric games I thought of a kind of game that's perhaps slightly different from what you meant, but figured I'd mention them anyways:
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
Sable!
I started it and never finished. Don't remember what happened, but I enjoyed it. How long is it? Is it worth it?
Don't know the other two. I'll check them out.
tb_@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1d
I don't remember exactly how long it is. I went for 100% in that game; you can definitely take your time with it.
Even just getting to the end can take a fair chunk of time, and there are fun secrets to be found. I was enamoured with the world and its characters. Though the part after the tutorial when that song kicks isn't matched in its high elsewhere, for me.
chickenf622@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
I found that abiotic factor does a good job of that. The game is heavily inspired by half life 1 vibes and in my opinion they nailed it. It's a survival crafter to give you an idea of the kind of game play. They're still adding updates after their 1.0 release and have some DLC coming out soon™
Famko@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1d
Since noone has mentioned it yet, I recommend Vintage Story, since it has realistic survival mechanics and stellar ambience. My favourite base was a treehouse in a redwood forest, where I'd witness the sunrise and sunset over the treetops.
CancerMancer@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1d
I had a great time playing this with friends. It reminded me a lot of Wurm Online but is much more approachable than that game while retaining a lot of its depth.
wunderbred@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 1d
Death Stranding
Coelacanth@feddit.nu · 1 pts · 1d
The STALKER games do this for me, STALKER Anomaly does as well (although you gotta mod that). The Metro games too, if you want something tighter and more cinematic.
CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1d
Agree with folk who said Valheim.
Project Zomboid is really immersive to me. Such a great game.
CouncilOfFriends@slrpnk.net · 1 pts · 11h
I've been getting into Avowed and having more fun than I expected. The dialogue is a bit bland though so I'm glad you can speed read and skip.
mohab@piefed.social · 1 pts · 3h
Gravity Rush.
OMG I could float for hours in this game and I HATE TRAVERSAL. Like, literally traversing long distances is one of the main reasons I never play open world games.
Gravity Rush is one of a kind though.
fivemahit@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1d
I'll recommend dark shards and metal garden for the getting lost part.
SteveGoob@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 9h
Caves of Qud has a pretty substantial learning curve, unfortunately. But if you can get through it, the story and world are deeply engrossing. I think they even won a few writing awards a while back.
Edit: Also, Hyper Light Drifter has immaculate vibes.
Fedop@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 9h
Caves of Qud is one of my favorite games of all time! The writing got a Hugo award last year. The story is developed algorithmically for each playthrough, with historical events that affect the towns and factions within the game. It's tone is amazing, I can't recommend it enough for people who enjoy roguelikes.
BigBananaDealer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 20h
starfield. such a meditative experience
amgine@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 10h
Meditative because there’s nothing to do?
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 5h
It seems so close to No Man's Sky.
kugmo@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 21h
brognak@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 21h
+1 for Northern Journey, is a whole ass vibe and one of those games you wish you could wipe your memories of to play again.
Sanctus@anarchist.nexus · 1 pts · 1d
Sword of the Sea
jaycifer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2h
Firewatch was a good game for me to get immersed in for an evening. It involves hiking around an isolated open world park. It follows a linear story which is pretty interesting, but I think there’s an option to wander freely after completion
Gekkonen@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 10h
If you don't mind a somewhat old game, The Void by Icepick Lodge https://www.gog.com/en/game/void_the
Similarly, if you don't mind an actually old game, Thief 1 + 2 have probably the best ambiance I've ever seen: https://www.gog.com/en/game/thief_2_the_metal_age
Tok0@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1d
hellblade senua's sacrifice - regularly on sale. Easy puzzles and combat, wear a headset when playing and comes with a vr option if you have it. I’d say it’s 8-12 hours long.
vrek@programming.dev · 1 pts · 1d
A series I haven't seen mentioned yet is mass effect, atleast uptill Andromeda.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
Supreme games. Except the ridiculous ending of part 3. But otherwise: brilliant.
AceFuzzLord@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
Just from videos alone, if you have friends who can play it with you for hours, that Big Walk is atmospheric enough I would play it if my friends were more interested in it. Hell, I'd play it singleplayer, but it looks to be built around multiplayer.
Edit:
Just saw the part where it says your go-to atmospheric games. Well, in that case, mine used to be Borderlands 1 ( the original and not the crummy remake/remaster(?) with the abhorrent microtransaction lootbox and minimap replacing the compass ).
I used to play that game and could easily get lost for hours just questing and grinding. I just don't play it as much now.
Similar thing could be said for Audiosurf 2, so long as I'm on a device that has a lot of my music on it.
paris@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 1d
Modded Minecraft with shaders. Frankly I haven't found a more immersive game for me than that, but I also haven't played much of my library. I wanna try Satisfactory at some point too since I imagine it might meld with my brain in a very similar way.
original_reader@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 1d
Def. do Satisfactory.
No Man's Sky is my secret pleasure too.
paris@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 1d
Couldn't get into no man's sky when I tried it s few years ago. Ended up returning it before the 2 hour window. I might pirate it to see if I'll like it this time around before buying, but I have such a ridiculous backlog of games and other media that I doubt I'll get around to it any time soon. Thanks for the recommendation though!
Weirdfish@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 22h
Just started Talos Principle II and am really enjoying it.
Really love a good puzzle game and these are up there w Portal in my opinion
rgalex@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1d
Kentucky Route Zero is a hell of an inmersive experience
matdave@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1d
Kingdome Come Deliverance 2 is a fantastic game to just get lost in. They did a great job world building.
boaratio@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 22h
Earthnight. It's got a killer soundtrack.
darntootin@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 28m
Obduction was incredible, especially in VR.
OddButNotReally@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1d
Little Nightmares 1 and 2. It's a linear, but compelling stylized horror experience. I'd recommend at least watching a playthrough if you can't handle chase sequences yourself.
Chants of Sennaar. A great translation game where you puzzle out what symbols mean based on context clues.
Bugsnax. A game about tense interpersonal relationships set in on an island where common foods are bug shaped, and eating the bugs make you food shaped.
partzel@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1d
People will hate me for this but:
Genshin impact and Wuthering Waves, the environment design, the art style, the emersion and the sounds all fit
enemyofsun@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 0 pts · 1d
Lunacid. It has such a weird and captivating world. Like, the first area is a cave that's filling with a liquid moonlight. Big snails enjoy the moisture while weird abominations roam the floods.
Music is simply awesome, I listen to it outside the game from time to time.
Sektor@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 1d
DayZ. Don't believe the narrative, there is no game like that.
eezeebee@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 2d
I just played Valkyrie Saga, so I'll suggest that.
defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com · -2 pts · 1d
Games that are 100% pure vibes that are extremely easy to get lost in:
Yume Nikki
B3313 (Super Mario 64 ROM hack)
myhouse.pk3 (DOOM II mod)
Silent Hill 1, 2, and 3 (including the remake of 2)
Also if you like Expedition 33, Chrono Trigger and Terranigma are both must-plays.
kugmo@sh.itjust.works · 0 pts · 21h
You lost all credibility by including the remake of SH2 in your post.
defaultusername@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 20h
I happen to really like it, other than the IMO worse voice acting and the needless excessive padding. Other than that, I think the vibes are on point.
Not to mention it's also much more accessible to people more accustomed to modern games.