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!
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:))
If you liked Observer, I’ll recommend Soma. I just had to sit back and think for a couple hours after I finished it
Omg, I completely forgot about Soma… and I even own it! Thank you!
Mother 3.
I’ve read/listened to a lot about Earthbound/Mother, maybe it’s time to play them.
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.
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.
These are basically ancient, but if you want to feel like crap.
- The walking dead, from telltale
- spec ops the line
- this war of mine
- papers please
Thank you! Have’em all in my library, I really should check my backlog…
Thomas Was Alone
It’s not at all like the examples you give but it is such a good game that I think fits nicely here.
Never heard about it until now, but it does sound very interesting from the Steam blurb! 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.
Cat Lady, if you like adventure games, or Oxenfree?
I’ve been morbidly attracted to Cat Lady for a very, very long time now, but what I’ve heard about it makes me feel like it’d be too much in times of crisis. That feels more like a “I’m feeling ok, let’s hurt myself a bit” kinda’ game to me.
Oxenfree looks really cool, looks like it’d make for a comfy bed game! Thank you!
Cat Lady has a dark story, but not in a way that made me feel powerless or depressed. To me, it’s the story of a person who has almost given up, finding genuine friendship and developing the strength to face and deal with her past traumas. I found the ending powerful in a life-affirming way. It is intense, though. And affected by your own choices. Maybe something for a better time.
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!
I’m reluctant to suggest What Remains of Edith Finch.
It will shred you.
That’s what I was going to recommend too. And very short too. It’s just a rainy afternoon.
Good! Hope it does thin slices, thank you!
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!
If you just wanna take a spooky road trip try out Pacific Drive!
This sounds like a nice “Deck in bed” game, thanks!
Oh I can totally see that
I’ve heard Spiritfarer is quite emotional.
It is. Its also maybe not the best game to play when you’re struggling. I played it when I lost a close family member and I became a wreck for weeks
It helped me process the loss, but it drew all of my emotions out in the process
Well, that’s what I’m looking for, honestly. Trying to burn the hurt out in a way, and it’s easier to process when in a context where such issues are analysed.
Ooh, and it looks so sweet and wholesome!❤️ Thank you, will give it a whirl!
Oh boy, this is a game that absolutely ripped my heart out. I’ve never been great at saying goodbye, I did everything I could before the first goodbye and then I quit. I loved the game, but it hits me in a strange soft spot.
Brothers is kinda similar to provide a recommendation.
The long dark is a harsh winter survival game with a gloomy story (dlc). https://store.steampowered.com/app/305620/The_Long_Dark/
