Edit 2: got a notification about Cronos: The New Dawn as I was launching Steam and decided to go for it. So far… holy hell, yep! Soo much yep! Just, uuh… turn off ray-tracing…
Edit: thanks so much to everyone who chimed in, there are some awesome recs in this thread! Also, really sorry to hear so many of you can relate to such games, good thing we have’em!
I apologise if I missed anyone’s comment.
OP: So, going through It™ again and my mood’s really gloomy. Anyone got any good recommendations to go with my mood?
To specify, PC-only, and I’m mostly asking for atmosphere, though some mechanical goodness will not go unappreciated. Thinking of stuff like Observer, Silent Hill, Darkwood, Arx Fatalis, Fallout: NV, Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Elden Ring, etc. Played most of these except Bloodborne, gathering the patience to deal with emulation.
Edit: oh, and if the story’ll shred my soul to pieces, all the better! Hit me with your best shot!
Subnautica works for me on days like these. It’s atmosphere, the clever design of how to explore more of the story and the constant danger. I also really like the ending, but I won’t say more about that, cause spoilers.
Ooh, played them all, repeatedly! Have a second run of 2 ongoing, but these are closer to comfort games to me. Playng STALKER or Vew Vegas feels like coming home:))
I have it in my library, but I’m scared of it=)) A friend of mine played it and cried his ass off, and he really isn’t someone who does a lot of crying!:))
Have you played journey? It’s great in my opinion the music and visuals bringe up every time I play it the end he sequence has made me cry in a few occasions.
You have so many great recommendations so i am gonna add more.
Gulf Club Nostalgia/Wasteland: when depression hits hard why not hit it harder with a tale of nostalgia for a world we have not yet lost.
Simple golf game but the radio station is… A lot.
To the Moon: the whole series is just what if all we could give those dying the happiness of a lie implanted in their memories and what can we provide for those still living who dont get it so easy?
Among the Sleep: just a 2 year old kid and your mom has gone missing and the world is so scary in the dark.
Dear Esther and Kentucky route zero for the music and atmosphere, elden ring for the atmosphere and challenge. Something with an engaging story planescape torment & torment tides of numenera.
Peripeteia- Dark cyberpunk imsim. Obviously inspired by GitS and deus ex. I’d consider it pretty dark and pessimistic but lots of fun to play around in and explore the different ways you have to solve a problem.
the hunter call of the wild is my go to for depression gaming. very peaceful generally, walking around tracking animals. if you follow the story you often times end up cleaning up a reserve from trash and left behind tents etc. the hunting is ethical in the story too. gotta keep populations low because yada yada. its gorgeous aswell, very slow. really a good one. and every now and then you’ll encounter a mythical animal and track it for 4 real world hours tryna get it for your trophy case.
Last of us is an obvious answer I think if you haven’t played either of those games. The exact opposite of your request, when I am feeling as you describe I really recommend wandersong. The game is like therapy, it looks campy and stupid at first but the dialogue has incredible depth and uplifting vibes.
Thank you! Wanted to play those two when they released them for PC, but then I’ve read about technical issues and I kinda’ forgot about both.
As for playing games which fit my mood, I prefer to let things burn themselves out, make sure there’s no unfinished business left. Pouring more fuel on the fire genuinely helps, horror/gloom makes me feel less alone.
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Subnautica works for me on days like these. It’s atmosphere, the clever design of how to explore more of the story and the constant danger. I also really like the ending, but I won’t say more about that, cause spoilers.
I love the idea behind Subnautica, but my thalassophobia still gets the better of me:)) They made that aspect of it perfectly:))
These are basically ancient, but if you want to feel like crap.
Thank you! Have’em all in my library, I really should check my backlog…
STALKER, it’s story may not wreck you but the monolith will.
If you want to be kicked in the dick play the anomaly mod, pretty sure it’s free and doesn’t require the games.
Ooh, played them all, repeatedly! Have a second run of 2 ongoing, but these are closer to comfort games to me. Playng STALKER or Vew Vegas feels like coming home:))
You might like ori
I have it in my library, but I’m scared of it=)) A friend of mine played it and cried his ass off, and he really isn’t someone who does a lot of crying!:))
It’s not that sad. Tis sad tho.
Hollow Knight (more so than Silksong tbh)
Night in the Woods (not the same vibe as the games you mentioned but absolutely a “had a bad day” vibe)
Hollow Knight looks absolutely gorgeous, but I’m intimidated by it:))
Night in the Woods is on my list, likewise looks gorgeous, and from the few things I’ve heard about it, it sounds deeply thoughtful!
I immediately thought of NitW too!
The long dark is a harsh winter survival game with a gloomy story (dlc). https://store.steampowered.com/app/305620/The_Long_Dark/
Have you played journey? It’s great in my opinion the music and visuals bringe up every time I play it the end he sequence has made me cry in a few occasions.
Nooo, it’s another one I forgot!:O Thank you, I loved the concept when first hearing about it!
Darkwood.
Well, I could do a replay, but I’m trying to find something new. Awesome game, though!
You have so many great recommendations so i am gonna add more.
Gulf Club Nostalgia/Wasteland: when depression hits hard why not hit it harder with a tale of nostalgia for a world we have not yet lost.
Simple golf game but the radio station is… A lot.
To the Moon: the whole series is just what if all we could give those dying the happiness of a lie implanted in their memories and what can we provide for those still living who dont get it so easy?
Among the Sleep: just a 2 year old kid and your mom has gone missing and the world is so scary in the dark.
Ooh, boy, thank you! Yep, all of these sound like they could fit, the golf one especially when the Dip comes!
To The Moon broke me man
The rest of that series is like that too.
Mother 3.
I’ve read/listened to a lot about Earthbound/Mother, maybe it’s time to play them.
Dear Esther and Kentucky route zero for the music and atmosphere, elden ring for the atmosphere and challenge. Something with an engaging story planescape torment & torment tides of numenera.
All are at least on my radar, Elden Ring and Planescape: Torment are old friends of mine at this point. Thank you!
Outer Wilds. Best game ever made. Stick with it.
I’ve had this one installed for over a year now, but I’m scared of it:)) Same happened with SIGNALIS, can’t explain it.
Peripeteia- Dark cyberpunk imsim. Obviously inspired by GitS and deus ex. I’d consider it pretty dark and pessimistic but lots of fun to play around in and explore the different ways you have to solve a problem.
This one’s also giving me heavy E.Y.E. vibes, I love that! Definitely gonna check it out, thank you!
the hunter call of the wild is my go to for depression gaming. very peaceful generally, walking around tracking animals. if you follow the story you often times end up cleaning up a reserve from trash and left behind tents etc. the hunting is ethical in the story too. gotta keep populations low because yada yada. its gorgeous aswell, very slow. really a good one. and every now and then you’ll encounter a mythical animal and track it for 4 real world hours tryna get it for your trophy case.
Oh, that really does sound relaxing, I’ll keep it in mind! Thank you!
Last of us is an obvious answer I think if you haven’t played either of those games. The exact opposite of your request, when I am feeling as you describe I really recommend wandersong. The game is like therapy, it looks campy and stupid at first but the dialogue has incredible depth and uplifting vibes.
Thank you! Wanted to play those two when they released them for PC, but then I’ve read about technical issues and I kinda’ forgot about both.
As for playing games which fit my mood, I prefer to let things burn themselves out, make sure there’s no unfinished business left. Pouring more fuel on the fire genuinely helps, horror/gloom makes me feel less alone.