The three games I look back with the most fondness for are Undying, Max Payne (1), and Unreal Tournament 2004. This game has an incredible and scary atmosphere. The sound design is among the best I've ever heard. You must play this with either good headphones (preferably alone in the dark) or with a nice sound system (also alone in the dark). You should also play it in either October or November, because the atmosphere is very much in harmony with those months (except for you, southern hemisphere). The story is also fantastic. You absolutely must read the text. It's not extensive, but that's where the story is told, and it's a great story. I've read a few complaints about the game being "linear". I consider that a feature, not a bug. I don't want to go around trying random doors. I'm so glad the game just locked the doors I wasn't supposed to go into. Another complaint I read is that the first sibling is much longer than the others. This is a good thing. The game is really two games in one. At first, it's a true horror game. You are weak and terrified, crawling through dungeons with monsters that can easily destroy you. By the time you finish the first sibling, you are becoming a powerful wizard, and the game is more of a horror-themed action game. It's still a blast, and the atmosphere is still fantastic, but the terror gives way to action, and I think that's how all video games should do it.
