this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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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!

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[–] Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I'm reluctant to suggest What Remains of Edith Finch.

It will shred you.

[–] Omegamanthethird@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago

That's what I was going to recommend too. And very short too. It's just a rainy afternoon.

[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago

Good! Hope it does thin slices, thank you!

[–] als@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] karpintero@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago

Limbo and Inside, noted! Thank you both!

[–] Klanky@sopuli.xyz 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

How about The Long Dark? A struggle to survive in a cold, dead world. The atmosphere is superb and I think it pairs well with a melancholy mood. Sorry to hear you're dealing with crap.

[–] actionjbone@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Came here to post this, as well.

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[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

I've heard Spiritfarer is quite emotional.

[–] SlamWich@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

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.

[–] BleatingZombie@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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

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[–] Cricket@lemmy.zip 10 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It doesn't have much of a pre-defined story to it, but I would say Project Zomboid is pretty moody and has a lot of gameplay depth.

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[–] yaroto98@lemmy.world 9 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Dying Light

Hardspace Shipbreaker (Solid story, Hating on a Doloris Umbridge type character)

Dredge

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[–] misk@piefed.social 9 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Sunless Sea is moody, gloomy, weird and beautiful. Music is hauntingly disturbing and nostalgic at the same time. It’s a weird mix of roguelike, trading&combat sim that’s heavy on choose your own adventure narratives while exploring lots of unique locations.

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[–] danciestlobster@lemmy.zip 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] Vinny_93@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Have you played Control? It was on sale recently on Steam

[–] NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Just finished that one, I fucking loved it, but that story just sort of brick walls at the end in a way that made me want a sequel really bad. I want more SCP inspired games like Control, the setting and anomalous items alone make for a great game.

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[–] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

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)

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[–] viral.vegabond@piefed.social 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Maybe the little nightmares games?

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[–] B0NK3RS@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago

Never heard about it until now, but it does sound very interesting from the Steam blurb! Thank you!

[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Outer Wilds. Best game ever made. Stick with it.

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[–] redhorsejacket@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

For both rich atmosphere and unique game mechanics, you could do a lot worse than Return of the Obra Dinn.

If you're unfamiliar, the presentation evokes early PC (or Mac, more specifically) black and white "1 bit" games, but real time 3d. This already is very distinctive, but the gameplay also sets it apart.

You are an insurance investigator with a magic pocket watch which allows you to travel back to the moment in time that someone expired, if you find their corpse. From these brief flashes (and by cross-referencing the ship manifest) you piece together what happened to all the crew and passengers on the ships ill-fated voyage, before it's baffling reemergence years after the fact.

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[–] Motorheadbanger@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Blasphemous (only the first one), This War of Mine, Valiant Hearts, Papers Please, Pathologic

Edit: Strange Horticulture, Arctic Eggs, and Lies of P

[–] mossy_@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is Blasphemous 2 not as good? I haven't played either but they're on my wishlist

[–] Motorheadbanger@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

The second game feels to me much less unique, compared to the first, especially the atmosphere. It's still a good game, just not what I expected from the sequel

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[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Gemini Rue is a great point'n'click with a wonderfully somber and dark atmosphere, and a tremendously good story.

I'd also recommend Night in the Woods, and Sally Face.

The first two Thief games are also very dark (literally), and are some of the finest stealth games ever made, with good stories to boot.

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[–] vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] Fitzsimmons@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] Console_Modder@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

If you liked Observer, I'll recommend Soma. I just had to sit back and think for a couple hours after I finished it

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[–] Quexotic@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)
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[–] EarMaster@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] swelter_spark@reddthat.com 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Cat Lady, if you like adventure games, or Oxenfree?

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[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not always gloomy. The world is actually quite beautiful in most places. But its start to tears time is about 30 minutes.

Time to subsequent tears depends on your playstyle.

[–] latenightnoir@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Sounds fuel-efficient, thank you! Definitely looking into it!

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Have fun, I think it really is one of the best games of the last decade.

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[–] StraySojourner@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

If you just wanna take a spooky road trip try out Pacific Drive!

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[–] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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
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[–] phonics@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] bestagon@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] Toes@ani.social 3 points 3 weeks ago

The long dark is a harsh winter survival game with a gloomy story (dlc). https://store.steampowered.com/app/305620/The_Long_Dark/

[–] RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] missingno@fedia.io 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] Krauerking@lemy.lol 2 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Icedrous@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
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[–] whotookkarl@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

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.

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[–] tpyoman@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

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