Summary
Games are great because they engage the player in many ways, ranging fromlaid-back experiencesto tense situations where one must be prepared to handle anything and everything these titles throw at them. As a result, games that execute the latter efficiently become all the more notable.
Some of the best games that make players feel a tangible sense of urgency are ones that players should check out if they want to enjoy an active gaming experience. These titles tend to ramp up the challenge without pushing players too hard, which is a balancing act that many games fail to nail.
Games will be ranked based on the degree of urgency and the frequency of such moments.
8Prince Of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia: Warrior Withinis a game that improved many elements of its predecessor,Sands of Time,but took away from some of its best aspects too. Players may be disappointed at the edginess of this title and the lack of proper characterization, but there’s no denying that the metal soundtrack adds a ton of dark character to everything from combat to exploration.
One of the most tense and memorable parts ofWarrior Withinstems from the Dahaka chases, with Godsmack blaring on speakers as the Time Guardian tries to hunt down the Prince in the present and devour him. Outrunning this monster is a blast every single time, with every mistake adding to the tension as players fight against the clock to ensure the Prince’s survival at all costs.
Mass Effect 2is far from a laid-back experience, with the impending threat of the Reapers forcing players to prepare for some tough battles. However, the sense of urgency is ramped up to the max whenShepard’s crewis abducted by the Collectors.
At this point, players must head to the final mission as soon as possible toensure that most of their crew members survive, with the Suicide Mission making things more tense than ever as every crewmate puts their life on the line. The kicker here is that any loyalty missions left unfinished at this point puts some tense pressure on the mission. It’s extremely easy for Legion’s loyalty mission to activate only after the kidnapping, for example, meaning that players must choose between doing their side content and letting some of their crew die — or ignoring Legion (and any other unfinished loyalty missions), possibly dooming them in the Suicide Mission.
Bloodborneis considered by many to be one of the hardestSoulsbornegames, with players having to adjust to a fast-paced combat system where death can arrive at a moment’s notice. With Blood Vials being limited, players must hunt down these valuable healing resources, and even that may not be enough.
There’s nothing more nail-biting than hoarding a ton of Blood Echoes and being down to zero vials, with players desperately seeking out a Hunter’s Lamp to invest their hard-earned Echoes. It’s easy for players to slip up and make a mistake during this moment, adding that extra tension of needing to survive long enough to retrieve the dropped Blood Echoes, lest they be lost for good.
People who think thatOvercooked 2is a fun time with their friends or loved ones will be singing a different tune when the orders pick up and things get hectic.Delegating roles is important, especially if players want the kitchen to run as smoothly as possible.
This is easier said than done on harder stages that throw curveballs at the player and force them to strategize on the fly. A single mistake can cause players to miss one order after another, ruining their hard work as the urgency to get things back on track ramps up.
Don’t Starveis one of the first indie successesin the survival genre that showed its true potential. The compelling art style and fun gameplay are relatively bearable during the day, but players will sing a different tune once they get their first taste of the night and the horrors it brings.
Collecting resources becomes more important than ever before as players reinforce their base. With these resources becoming more limited as the days go by, players have to travel further away from their base and may not return in time. The horrors of the night will close in on them, punishing their failure to reach or build a safe spot in time.
One of the best first-person parkour games players can check out,Dying Lightis a fun video game where players can enjoy a fun power creep and smash most measly zombies to a pulp. However,the script is flipped when night fallsand Kyle must avoid being detected by any Volatiles.
These super-powered zombies can run just as fast as the player, climb structures in record time, and hit like a truck. Being mobbed by these powerful Volatiles is a horrifying moment, and players should make a beeline to a safe house at night if they don’t want to be overrun by this pressing threat.
A game that is deeper than most people might assume,Papers, Pleaseshows why Lucas Pope is hailed by many as one of the best indie video game designers of all time. This introspective title brings a player’s morality into question as they either help out people in need or fend for their family.
Every day is a stressful affair, where mistakes can cause their family to suffer and die one by one. It’s easy for errors to pile up, with the limited time of every day forcing players to make quick decisions to do an efficient job instead of letting their loved ones perish.
When players encounter the Xenomorph for the first time,Alien: Isolationshows its true colors asone of the most tense and horrifying gamesplayers can get their hands on. This alien is impossible to take out, and players must hide if they don’t want the Alien to chase them down.
The worst part is that the Xenomorph adjusts to the player’s actions, ensuring that the same course of action won’t save the player from this evolving threat. It makes every stalking sequence a harrowing affair as players hurry to safety, finding hiding spots to avoid the Alien’s bloodthirst.
