BioWare are known for some of the best character-oriented games of the last few decades, and their reputation is one that has been earned on the backs of some masterwork titles that will remain culturally relevant for years to come. It's hard to overstate just how influential series like Dragon Age or Mass Effect have been to the gaming scene overall.
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So, with fluctuating character alignments and engaging, in-depth stories, what else is it that makes BioWare such a monolithic title? The answer is in its atmosphere. Some BioWare games from among its many trilogies and stand-out titles have truly exceptional atmosphere, tone and ambiance.
6 Mass Effect
A Classic Pulp Sci-Fi Atmosphere
Mass Effect
There are a host of aesthetic, narrative, and mechanical elements in Mass Effect 1 that make it one of the best sci-fi RPGs of all time. Even minor things such as the optional film grain effect to really enhance that pulp sci-fi feeling are incredibly valuable contributions to the overall atmosphere.
The synth heavy music and heavy emphasis on cool colors help maintain the distant, otherworldly feeling of the game, while also using warmer colors, such as yellows and oranges, only when appropriate to communicate a significant departure from the typical world of ships and the Citadel that Shepard knows. This is the atmosphere that makes Shepard's decisions so hard, because it binds them to the story.
5 Dragon Age 2
The Enhanced Atmosphere Of An Exotic City
Dragon Age 2
- Released
- March 8, 2011
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the many reasons that Dragon Age 2 is often underrated is for the players missing out on the exceptional atmosphere that Kirkwall, the City of Chains, offers its denizens. This exotic trade hub's troubled history and troubled present both are manifested in the stark gray walls, the golden sandstone, and the scenic ocean views available to Hawke and their companions throughout the story.
This is what makes Dragon Age 2 so unique. Its intimate focus on Kirkwall makes Kirkwall feel like its own character, and the atmosphere, at times perilous and tense, at times lax and free-flowing, help player come to identify with the shifting moods of this mysterious city.
4 Knights Of The Old Republic
Every Planet Has A Unique Atmosphere
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Standing proud as one of the best Star Wars games of all time, Knights of the Old Republic absolutely nails the atmosphere of not just one, but every single one of its respective planets, though there are a few stand-outs in particular.
Taris is vaguely hostile and cold, descending into grimy madness the further below the surface the player goes. Even accounting for the dated graphics, the Wookie shadowlands are some of the most impressive and grimly atmospheric areas of any game, period, with a general pervasive aura of gloom surrounding them.
3 Jade Empire
Every Area Is Detailed And Lush
Jade Empire
- Released
- April 12, 2005
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Platform(s)
- Xbox (Original), PC, Android, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Every region in Jade Empire is filled with mystery and intrigue. It's a game that genuinely makes the player feel as though they're a hero of myth, with some new grand intrigue waiting around every corner. It's a compelling and singular game that uses lush environments and some excellent sound design to make a game that feels atmospheric and vital.
Jade Empire was one of those games that help put BioWare on the map, and it stands today as a testament to their narrative craft, character work, and their capability to produce excellent atmosphere in quiet, emergent moments, not just during designated cutscenes or dialogue events.
2 Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Northern Thedas Is Incredibly Unique
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
- Released
- October 31, 2024
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Similar to Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age: The Veilguard had its work cut out for it by having to come up with a unique atmosphere for not just one or a handful of locations, but for plenty of distinct, singular environments that each need an atmosphere which reflects the geographical and cultural conditions of the land. Veilguard does an excellent job separating the constant day showers of Minrathous from the gloom of the Hossberg Wetlands.
As more fans dive into Veilguard, more people will be able to see the stark contrasts between locations entrenched in the Fade, such as the lighthouse or Arlathan Forest, with places suffering under the Blight, such as the aforementioned Wetlands.
1 Mass Effect 2
The Galaxy Is Rendered Like No Other Game
Mass Effect 2
With a cast of incredible characters and a slick, dynamic take on the combat that was both fresh and innovative, Mass Effect 2 is the stylish older sister to its predecessor, with an excellent and revitalized atmosphere to boot. Where Mass Effect 1 was cool and otherworldly, Mass Effect 2 is dark and dangerous, signified by the heavy use of reds, oranges, and blacks in its world design.
If Mass Effect 1 felt like a classic pulp sci-fi romp, then this title feels like a sleek spy thriller that just so happens to be set in space. Mass Effect 2 is the Renegade Shepard of the trilogy and it has a fantastic, perilous atmosphere to complement this.
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