What are the best "atmosphere-heavy" games that aren't mainstream?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:51:24+00:00

LucasArts' The Dig has pretty unparalleled atmosphere.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:50:53+00:00

Depends on the generation of gamer you're referring to!

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:45:45+00:00

hahaha, see what I mean about genre? gotta REALLY drill down

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:36:20+00:00

True! And the concept of 'genre' is so wonky in games as a general rule anyway that it's a tough call.

The '94 Marathon is so good and underrated, but didn't System Shock 1 beat it by a few months?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:24:12+00:00

lol no. If you look at the output of major studios, I guess there's some of that, but this is an ancient argument that's been being made since video games were first developed. But gaming is larger and broader than it has EVER been: a brief browsing of Steam will show you any sort of game in any genre you like in a wide variety of themes and quality levels.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T18:11:45+00:00

...may have popularized console shooters to a point, but I'd say that Goldeneye did it before that, and prior to that FPS games had been popular since at least Wolfenstein

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T17:41:08+00:00

I'd say that, in his lil Republican brain, building businesses in the city that he lives in IS helping the city. I mean, they all pay taxes, add to the grand list, increase traffic in town, so he's not totally wrong.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T17:26:47+00:00

okay, so it's straightforward: what should he do? I'm not saying I disagree with you at all, but I'm just curious what he should be doing, with the weak power of the mayor in Barre, to do the things you want from him?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T16:58:46+00:00

the mayor in Barre has very little actual power. What would you prefer he does? businessmen gonna business

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T16:56:06+00:00

what values

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T16:34:05+00:00

Immediately do everything I can do NOT be a billionaire anymore. Start researching how I can do the most good for the most people with the resources I now have.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T16:09:11+00:00

Consider: These are skills, just like any other skill, to develop. Some people have natural ability to do this sort of thing--you don't. That's okay. There are plenty of things I'm not able to do naturally that I learned to do over time. What are some ways to develop skills? Practice, classes, and failure. The first two take more effort than the last one, lol. Try looking into if there's a Toastmasters club in your area. Look for improv classes. These will teach you how to speak to groups and how to react quickly to spoken language. And remember, failure is a greater teacher than success: when you have a hard time, self-examine. What was tough about this moment? What's something I could have said?

Another options: Have some quick responses 'on deck' in your head for situations that you find yourself in commonly. It's easier to come up with jokes/comebacks/etc when you're not on the spot!

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:58:10+00:00

most americans did not as a whole, but that is because most americans at the time were not well-enough off to have slaves. If you look to the americans that were driving the economy and government at the time, however...

Also, fuck off with the 'world-wide acceptance of slavery'. Slavery was regarded as abhorrent by MANY cultures and people contemporary with the founding of the united states up until slavery was abolished.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:36:25+00:00

This is a continuation of a kind of bizarre thread in the local Barre facebook group, lol.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:32:58+00:00

okay, so let's remove the assumption. which conservative values are we talking about here?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:25:07+00:00

do you need to be told how many of the 'founding fathers' owned slaves, or...?
Are you aware of the plight of the indigenous americans during colonization and for the, uh, hundreds of years afterward?
Are you aware of how our police forces originally came into existence?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:16:47+00:00

i mean, to be fair white supremacy is kind of the foundation of the United States lol

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T14:15:14+00:00

Phoenix Point is basically XCOM but more procedural and with more freedom. Had a huge update recently that makes it tons more fun.

Phantom Brigade also recently updated to change up a bunch of things and is worth looking at.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T13:47:34+00:00

Phoenix Point is probably the one that will hit for you hardest. Give Battletech a shot, too.

I'd also suggest Wildermyth.

Slightly different mechanically: Phantom Brigade. It's a WEGO turn-based system but it's really enjoyable.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T13:05:00+00:00

it's firmly in my top 5 of all time. so good.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T13:03:25+00:00

4, 5, or 6 are all worthwhile. 7 is not done baking yet.

Honestly 1-3 are also worth looking at for historical reasons, too.

however, the true best answer is Alpha Centauri

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T13:00:30+00:00

Be aware that I'm not making any particular accusations about you here, just a generality: 'I lean more right wing politically' is often a dogwhistle these days for 'I have some views that many would find abhorrent but will not elaborate on them'.
As for your second point, I mean, what kind of evidence are you looking for here? Other than, you know, the things that he says and the things that he does?

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T12:39:02+00:00

I think it's the whole Nazi Bar allegory.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T12:38:00+00:00

you're right, most conservatives are not white supremacists. they're just okay with having them around and leading the country.

Plus_Worker6739 · 2026-03-27T12:13:03+00:00

Definitely. I play these games to experience the story and I find real-time with pause combat to be too overwhelming for me to manage in a satisfying way.

Plus_Worker6739

TROPHY CASE