[jergrah]

Alan Wake - One of my favorite games this generation, primarily because of how great I thought the atmosphere was from start to finish

Bioshock - Rapture was fantastic, I felt like I was in that world

Mass Effect - The first one specifically, exploring planets, flying around space -- it all seemed perfect to me

Red Dead Redemption - Just how alive the world felt to me, the day/night cycles, the wildlife, I emerged myself in the world

Mafia 2 - Specifically the first act(s), driving in the snow in that era was magical

LA Noire - Somewhat similar to Mafia 2, I just enjoyed the timeframe and simplicity

[StalkerUKCG]

Skyrim with some realism mods is the answer, Iv taken to walking around the whole world now. not jogging or running but walking.

[WoodenLung]

Nothing beats the fog of silent hill for me.

[Dictator93]

Mass Effect The first sci-fi epic to truly make me feel like I was part of a huge galaxy with a wide array of species and races working and intertwining together. Landing on a barren planet (though repetitive at times) really gave the feeling that I was out in the middle of nowhere, just me, my crew, and my ship. The various species didn't feel like an afterthought, it made their different histories and characteristics feel so real.

[Toodles]

Oddly enough, Dwarf Fortress.

I have to assume due to the curious coupling of a presentation which absolutely *demands* your imagination's full investment, met with a game world that is detailed to the level of skin tissue abrasions.

When I see my barracks full of dwarfs and ascii symbols denoting clothing lying on the ground, I am absolutely there with them watching them get their naked wrestle on.

[Forceatowulf]

Skyrim
Red Dead Redemption
Shadow of the Colossus
GTA San Andreas
Dragon Quest 8
FFX

[Jokeropia]

Metroid Prime, no doubt. Skyrim has potential (especially when you're out in the wilderness), but the simpleton NPC AI totally douses the effect.

[Raptomex]

-All of the GTA games
-Metroid Prime
-Red Dead Redemption
-Ocarina of Time

[Spieler Eins]

Not for any particularly breathtaking graphical effects, but the sheer believability of its cast of characters, from random towns-people to the main cast, makes it the most immersive game I've ever played. Your every action affects the world around you in some way, and seeing each and every NPC interact with the world that you create is simply wonderful and unprecedented. I've yet to see a game come close to the level of emotion and detail that each character has, I love this game.

Probably the only true answer. Not to mention that the world in here is goddamn depressing and some events truly touch you.

[Forsaken82]

He said Mass Effect... not ME3 :P

[Patrick Bateman]

Wind Waker, Red Dead Redemption, Bioshock and STALKER

All four blew my mind.

[Steve McQueen]

Condemned.. damn.. that game made my heart beat faster.

Great that you mention Condemned. Condemned made me feel very uncomfortable.

And of course



Best. intro. ever.

[derFeef]

Alan Wake - aka Atmosphere The Game.
It sucks you in, there is no escape. The world is so well realized it's not even funny. One of the few games that make me forget I am playing a game from time to time.

[Fruitster]

Red Dead Redemption and the first Mass Effect are easy games to lose yourself in. Really immersive and well crafted worlds, great atmosphere.

[TheOrangeKid007]

I always enjoyed Spriderman 2. It was one of those game I just loved to explore.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

When it comes to the most *immersive* world there's only one right answer:



No other game in over 20 years topped it with the illusion to be immersed in a living environment where you could interact with almost everything, where hundreds of unique characters lived their lives, had their daily routines, their unique dialogues.
Anyone who actually played this game knows there's no contest.

The most atmospheric... Well, that's really a matter of taste, I guess.