Why aren't there more games like Diablo 1 in terms of atmosphere?

[Zeze]

As a matter of fact, I don't think there's been a single game capturing the same feel/atmosphere of Diablo 1- gothic, desolate, mysterious, and eerie.

Diablo 2 is a completely different animal- the scope and worlds are much larger. And it also focused on MP. By 3, all that gothic feel are long gone.

Torchlight 1 was an excellent game, even with mirroring levels of Diablo 1, but the feel is totally different as you know. Art direction is rather endearing and they didn't even try hard with the lore/storyline. TL2 is same.

Path of Exile too was an excellent game- a true sequel to Diablo 2. Again, the gameplay is truly addictive and all, but all that goth feel and eerieness is not present.

I'm not even talking about RTS/hacknslash genre. No other games across all genres quite visited the 'goth' environment with equally engrossing voice acting, lore, and art direction.

It's not nostalgia either. I played Diablo 1 again recently. It was every bit as great as I remembered- oh my god those painstakingly detailed pixel arts, the amazing voice acting & characters (despite being limited in scope), and the music.... Diablo 1 music should win some awards.

Not F.E.A.R (not 'scary' but cheap startle tactics)
Not Dead Space
Not Doom 3

I think Bloodborne is pretty close to Diablo 1 in terms of gothic feel. I can't play it since I'm not a console peasant.

 

[Tweak155]

I still think Diablo 1 is the best style game for that in my history of games played. The music and art style just went so well together.

 

[Mayne]

Path of Exile

It really is the spiritual successor to Diablo. Best part is...its free to play..only pay for cosmetics.

Been playing it for 4 years now and currently beta testing the latest expansion right now.

 

[NetWareHead]

What about Doom? That had a legit creepy feel to it. From the music, to the pentagram murals, the demons etc...

Agree with you on Diablo. That generated a nice atmosphere.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Bloodborne has more of a Castlevania feel to it than Diablo felling IMO.

Diablo felt gritty because of the chopped meat like graphics - due to technological limits. Same goes with PS1 games; they look better in their native resolution. High resolution updates to old school 3d games games look stale - take a look at the recent updates like Good And Evil, Grim Fandango, etc.

If anything, someone should de-make the graphics of new IPs.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

As a matter of fact, I don't think there's been a single game capturing the same feel/atmosphere of Diablo 1- gothic, desolate, mysterious, and eerie.

You're right, Diablo was probably the best game ever at capturing that feeling of dread and uncertainty of what a player would expect a tomb/dungeon to be like. Most games are instantly forgettable, but I still remember the first night I played Diablo. It was late, the lights were off and I was exploring the dungeon, turn a corner and come face to face with the giant skeleton king and his army of minions. That was one of the great "oh shit! I'm screwed!!" moments in video-gaming. For the rest of the game I was hooked into that mystery of wondering what was behind the next door or around the next corner.

 

[RPD]

As a matter of fact, I don't think there's been a single game capturing the same feel/atmosphere of Diablo 1- gothic, desolate, mysterious, and eerie.

Diablo 2 is a completely different animal- the scope and worlds are much larger. And it also focused on MP. By 3, all that gothic feel are long gone.

Torchlight 1 was an excellent game, even with mirroring levels of Diablo 1, but the feel is totally different as you know. Art direction is rather endearing and they didn't even try hard with the lore/storyline. TL2 is same.

Path of Exile too was an excellent game- a true sequel to Diablo 2. Again, the gameplay is truly addictive and all, but all that goth feel and eerieness is not present.

I'm not even talking about RTS/hacknslash genre. No other games across all genres quite visited the 'goth' environment with equally engrossing voice acting, lore, and art direction.

It's not nostalgia either. I played Diablo 1 again recently. It was every bit as great as I remembered- oh my god those painstakingly detailed pixel arts, the amazing voice acting & characters (despite being limited in scope), and the music.... Diablo 1 music should win some awards.

Not F.E.A.R (not 'scary' but cheap startle tactics)
Not Dead Space
Not Doom 3

I think Bloodborne is pretty close to Diablo 1 in terms of gothic feel. I can't play it since I'm not a console peasant.

Well if you want more Diablo, I HIGHLY recommend the mod "The Hell".
http://www.diablothehell.*********/downloads.html

It puts the game on roids.

 

[RPD]

Eh, forum doesn't like that website http://lmgtfy.com/?q=diablo+the+hell

You will need the hellfire mod to get the hell mod to work.