Developers love to play on the idea ofutopian and dystopian fantasies, typically depicted through the game’s mesmerizing setting. With an immersive story at hand, titles need to turn to the environment they are placing their fans within to accompany the overall theme portrayed, being that of a suffering dystopia, or an idealistic utopia.
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Though perfect on the front, most video games that enthrall their players with utopian worlds retain an uneasy feeling behind it, designating a sense of fear, angst, and apprehension as to the reason it is so perfect. Deceiving its fans is the ultimate goal, yet once the jig is up, these select games brilliantly captivate the ghastly essence that was once lurking in the dark.
Guerrilla Games
2017
Most RPGs tend to relish in gripping storylines as a means of connecting the player to the game, yetHorizon Zero Dawnsurpasses that, as Guerrilla Games' beloved title takes its fans to the heart of a seemingly utopian version of planet Earth, vast in astonishing greenery, scenic viewpoints, and remarkable landscapes. Taking control of the iconic hunterAloy, players are able to traverse ‘The Sacred Land’, scouring for loot, interacting with fellow villagers, and completing numerous side quests, however, fans of this cherished game will inevitably come face to face with therobotic creatures that dominate, decimate, and destroy the plagued areas they intrude.
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Heinously dubbed ‘Machines’ by the land’s tribes, these technologically-advanced beasts terrorize those in their path, posing a destructive threat toHorizon Zero Dawn’s utopian world. Wielding ahighly capable character, players are able to combat this terrifying army of monsters withAloy’s parkour skills, catastrophic bow abilities, andFocusdevice, all while using her knowledge of the landscapes to her advantage. Despite the fascinating environment presented within Guerrilla Games' masterpiece, the horrifying aspects rooted within it are certain to tarnish its alluringly perfect nature.
DICE
2008
Uniquely entering the gaming scene with a multitude of elements such as parkour, fighting, andin-depth loreisMirror’s Edge, an intensely gripping title with a charmingly explorable environment. Set in the futuristically utopian city of ‘Velocity’, players are tasked with controllingFaith Connors, an exceedingly skilled parkour artist with a vendetta against the dictatingCity Regime. Prizing themselves on responsive gameplay, DICE’sMirror’s Edgenot only grants fans with cutting-edge missions, meticulously created to fiercely challenge them but also the fraudulently terrifying secrets the controlled city ofVelocitywithholds.
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The tantalizing city ofVelocitynot only showcases a fitting description for a utopia but also boasts a crime-free, metropolitan lifestyle, however, the oppressive tactics used to achieve this outcome evidently depict a deeper, darker play at hand. Through extraordinarily energetic gameplay, players must navigate their way around theCity Regimevianerve-racking parkourand vicious combat techniques, albeit in the safe hands ofFaith Connors. What may seem flawlessly foolproof from an outside perspective, a closer look into the city ofVelocityreveals a very sinister motif, poised to deceive fans of this cherished title.
Studio Wildcard
Argued by many as one of the greatest survival titles gaming has seen would be that ofARK: Survival Evolved, a wildly exclusive, pre-historic extravaganza. Despite the plethora of mesmerizing maps available, players that take a plunge into the world of ‘Valguero’ will not be disappointed, as this aesthetically-pleasing utopia has the capability to enthrall its fans with enchanting mountains, colorful scenery, and enticing wildlife. Granted the endless possibility of creatingindestructible bases, foraging supplies, raiding unsuspecting enemies, and even taming pets, it is no wonderARK: Survival Evolvedhas certified itself as a multiplayer classic, yet lurking among the vast forests lays the terrifying threat of ferociously advanced dinosaurs, loaded with hunter-killer instincts.
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Blissfully portrayed,Valguerooffers a sense of peace and harmony with its environment, yet the heinously vicious dinosaurs that roam the grounds think otherwise, as besting these beasts is no easy task. Brandishing an extensive list of its kind, these intimidating creatures pose the ultimate threat to the fans’chance of survival, as their ability to pillage headquarters is immensely dangerous. Despite this, players may find themselves taming these carnivores as a means of defending themselves from others, rendering their risk minimal, however, the inevitable sense of peril is always nearby, whether gathering materials or hunting for food, these terrifying animals are constantly lurking in this seemingly safe utopia.
Compulsion Games
2016
Infinite in its freedom, yet terrifying in its concepts, the horror genre continuously manages to usher out some of gaming’s most unique ideas, with titles such asPoppy PlaytimeandOutlastthrusting fans into the realm of truly heart-pounding fear. However, standing out from the crowd isWe Happy Few, a retro-futuristic horror that entwines aspects of arevolting warand a delusionally joyful town. For newcomers to the title, the wondrous village of ‘Wellington Wells’ denotes a sense of happiness, depicted through the rainbow-filled streets, colorful displays, and scenic monuments, however, this 1960s English utopia isn’t what it seems, as the omnipresentUncle Jackfeeds off of the player’s panic, suspicion, and downright terror.
Obsessed with joy, conformity, and control,Wellington Wellstries its hardest to pin the player down and make them submit to the scandalously terrifying drug of choice, denial. Tasked with evading the dictating enforcers, fans ofWe Happy Fewmust fight their way to freedom, while simultaneously discovering the dark history of this deceivingly cheerful town. Viciously captivating, alluringly intense, anddespicably frighteningare all aspects that relate to this seemingly happy utopia, yet underneath the sickening comfortWellington Wellsoffers is an entirely new meaning to the word horror, destined to keep gamers up at night.
Irrational Games
2013
Renowned within gaming’s hall of fame isBioShock Infinite, an immersive steampunk classic that entails the saving of a damsel in distress. Set in the floating utopia of ‘Columbia’, players are supplied with a proficient veteran,Booker DeWitt, as a tool to not only rescue the mysteriousElizabethbut also uncover the disgraced truth behind the idealistic city. Fans of theBioShock Infinitetitle will see themselves traversing through this perfected city via blimps, zip-lines, and parkour-like maneuverability, all while utilizingBooker DeWitt’s skillful knowledge surrounding his retro-futuristic weaponry andtactical abilities. WhileColumbiaseems like the best place to live, the exceptionally extreme lengths theUnited Statesgovernment are willing to take this city to are truly gut-wrenching.
The utopian aspect soon dissipates once the player has fully settled into the title’s storyline, asColumbiapresents a rather terrifying army of brainwashing enforcers that try to silence, censor, and by all means eliminate anyone who steps up to their severe regime. Tasked with fending off thesehordes of enemies, while simultaneously protecting the precious life ofElizabeth, can become a real challenge forBioShock Infinitelovers, yet rest assuredBooker DeWittis capable of digging deep into the city’s deceiving nature. Although many games may utilize the utopian fantasy as a misleading motif for its dystopian outcome, Irrational Games' beloved title is sure to unveil an unprecedented sense of fear within its fans.
