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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.
5 Horizon Zero Dawn - The Sacred Land
Most RPGs tend to relish in gripping storylines as a means of connecting the player to the game, yet Horizon Zero Dawn surpasses 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 hunter Aloy, 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 the robotic 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 to Horizon Zero Dawn’s utopian world. Wielding a highly capable character, players are able to combat this terrifying army of monsters with Aloy’s parkour skills, catastrophic bow abilities, and Focus device, 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.
4 Mirror’s Edge - Velocity
Uniquely entering the gaming scene with a multitude of elements such as parkour, fighting, and in-depth lore is Mirror’s Edge, an intensely gripping title with a charmingly explorable environment. Set in the futuristically utopian city of ‘Velocity’, players are tasked with controlling Faith Connors, an exceedingly skilled parkour artist with a vendetta against the dictating City Regime. Prizing themselves on responsive gameplay, DICE’s Mirror’s Edge not only grants fans with cutting-edge missions, meticulously created to fiercely challenge them but also the fraudulently terrifying secrets the controlled city of Velocity withholds.
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The tantalizing city of Velocity not 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 the City Regime via nerve-racking parkour and vicious combat techniques, albeit in the safe hands of Faith Connors. What may seem flawlessly foolproof from an outside perspective, a closer look into the city of Velocity reveals a very sinister motif, poised to deceive fans of this cherished title.
3 ARK: Survival Evolved - Valguero
Argued by many as one of the greatest survival titles gaming has seen would be that of ARK: 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 creating indestructible bases, foraging supplies, raiding unsuspecting enemies, and even taming pets, it is no wonder ARK: Survival Evolved has 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, Valguero offers 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.
2 We Happy Few - Wellington Wells
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 as Poppy Playtime and Outlast thrusting fans into the realm of truly heart-pounding fear. However, standing out from the crowd is We Happy Few, a retro-futuristic horror that entwines aspects of a revolting war and 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 omnipresent Uncle Jack feeds off of the player’s panic, suspicion, and downright terror.
Obsessed with joy, conformity, and control, Wellington Wells tries 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 of We Happy Few must fight their way to freedom, while simultaneously discovering the dark history of this deceivingly cheerful town. Viciously captivating, alluringly intense, and despicably frightening are all aspects that relate to this seemingly happy utopia, yet underneath the sickening comfort Wellington Wells offers is an entirely new meaning to the word horror, destined to keep gamers up at night.
1 BioShock Infinite - Columbia
Renowned within gaming’s hall of fame is BioShock 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 mysterious Elizabeth but also uncover the disgraced truth behind the idealistic city. Fans of the BioShock Infinite title will see themselves traversing through this perfected city via blimps, zip-lines, and parkour-like maneuverability, all while utilizing Booker DeWitt’s skillful knowledge surrounding his retro-futuristic weaponry and tactical abilities. While Columbia seems like the best place to live, the exceptionally extreme lengths the United States government 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, as Columbia presents 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 these hordes of enemies, while simultaneously protecting the precious life of Elizabeth, can become a real challenge for BioShock Infinite lovers, yet rest assured Booker DeWitt is 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.
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