Summary

  • Observer delves into identity and consciousness, echoing 2001 themes.
  • The Stanley Parable questions free will in a meta-narrative style.
  • Spec Ops: The Line challenges the player's morality like Kubrick films.

Stanley Kubrick will forever be remembered as one of the most visionary directors in cinema history. His films are iconic, blending philosophical themes with his unique style, striking visual compositions, attention to every detail, and unsettling atmosphere. Kubrick’s ability to craft complex narratives has left an indelible mark on both cinema and popular culture.

Related

Most Thought-Provoking Video Games

These engaging games will really make you think.

Posts 1

For those who appreciate Kubrick’s distinct style, some games offer a similar visionary approach. So, if you are ready to dive into interactive experiences that echo the genius of Kubrick, here are some games you need to play.

8 Observer

A Space Odyssey with Cyberpunk Vibes

Close

Observer

Survival Horror Released August 15, 2017 Developer(s) Bloober Team Publisher(s) Aspyr Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

Observer is a cyberpunk thriller that delves into identity and consciousness through technology, echoing the ideas explored in 2001: A Space Odyssey. The protagonist, Daniel Lazarksy can hack into the minds, blurring the lines between reality and perception, human and machine, and even life and death.

The obsession with technology and its consequences reflects the themes Kubrick examined, and the setting perfectly mirrors the aesthetic of the director, with its use of lighting, cramped spaces, and minimalist design. Observer offers a chilling reflection of the future, one that, who knows, Kubrick himself might have imagined.

7 The Stanley Parable

Kubrick’s Meta-Narrative

Close

The Stanley Parable

Adventure Released October 17, 2013 Developer(s) Galactic Cafe Publisher(s) Galactic Cafe Platform(s) PC Powered by Expand Collapse

The Stanley Parable offers a meta-narrative experience about free will and control, themes dear to Kubrick’s heart. The game constantly questions every little choice you make, breaking the fourth wall in innovative ways that, at some point, create a sense of unease. It perfectly mirrors Kubrick’s ability to make the audience reflect on the narrative and the medium.

Related

12 Games To Play If You Like The Stanley Parable

Whether you're here for the humor or the ability to make meaningful choices, we've got some great games for you to play.

Posts

Just imagine if Stanley Kubrick played Stanley Parable. The game’s witty, self-referential style and philosophical underpinning make it a thought-provoking experience that any Kubrick fan would appreciate.

6 Silent Hill 2

Overlook Hotel in a Foggy Town

Close

Silent Hill 2

Survival Horror Released September 25, 2001 Developer(s) Team Silent Publisher(s) Konami Platform(s) PlayStation 2, Xbox (Original), PC Powered by Expand Collapse

Silent Hill 2 is often cited as one of the greatest horror games ever and for good reasons. The game introduces you to a town shrouded in fog, where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur, much like the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, don’t you think?

The game offers a deep introspection into the human psyche, exploring themes of guilt and grief in the form of terrifying monsters. The psychological horror and complex narrative of Silent Hill 2 echo Kubrick’s ability to unsettle and provoke deep introspection, making it a must-play for fans of psychological horror in general.

5 Spec Ops: The Line

Full Metal Jacket in Dubai

Close

Spec Ops: The Line

Third-Person Shooter Released June 26, 2012 Developer(s) Yager Development Publisher(s) 2K Games Platform(s) PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Powered by Expand Collapse

Spec Ops: The Line is far from a typical war game. It delves into the psychology of Martin Walker, a soldier consumed by war, revealing the horror of the conflict in a way that draws parallels to Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket.

The game forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about violence, morality, and the human condition, making you face these choices head-on (the game even taunts you during load screens) and blurring the line between “good” and “bad” choices in a desperate struggle for survival. Once you finish this game, it stays with you, much like Kubrick’s films do.

4 Control

The Shining in a Brutalist Bureau

Close

Control

Action Third-Person Shooter Supernatural Released August 27, 2019 Developer(s) Remedy Entertainment Publisher(s) 505 Games Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

Control makes a strong impression with its brutalist aesthetics, mysterious atmosphere, and narrative that constantly challenges your expectations. The game offers a Kubrick-like, unsettling, enigmatic experience (also, pay attention to the carpet and wallpaper, which is very similar to a certain hotel).

According to the game’s director, Mikael Kasurinen, in an interview in Dualshock, Kubrick’s influence is evident in the storytelling: there is always something hidden, something left “unsaid”, a signature of Kubrick’s films. Nothing in this game is what it seems.

3 BioShock Series

A Clockwork Orange Underwater

Close

BioShock’s dark and dystopian world is not far removed from Kubrick’s exploration of the obscure aspects of human nature and society. The underwater city of Rapture, with its Art Deco Design and claustrophobic atmosphere, reflects Kubrick’s meticulous attention to aesthetics and detail, which you can see especially in films like The Shining.

Ken Levine, the creator, has openly discussed Kubrick’s influence, from the game’s setting to how it manipulates your perceptions. BioShock perfectly follows in Kubrick’s footsteps, questioning you about morality, free will, and the human condition.

2 Metal Gear Solid Series

HAL Meets Dr.Strangelove

Close

The Metal Gear Solid series introduced the world to stealth gameplay, and solidified Hideo Kojima as a visionary game designer, is rich with cinematic influences, including those of Kubrick.

Subtle nods to Kubrick films are scattered throughout the series, with direct homages: Otacon, whose real name is Hal Emmerich, is a clear reference to HAL from 2001: a Space Odyssey. Another notable character is Dr. Strangelove, echoing Kubrick’s own Dr. Strangelove.

Related

10 Parts Of The Metal Gear Franchise That Are Directly Inspired By Movies, Music, and TV

Metal Gear Solid takes a lot of influence from pop culture. Here are some details you might have missed.

Posts

These references underscore Kojima’s appreciation for Kubrick’s work and his ability to blend dark humor with profound themes. Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid series, like Kubrick’s films, challenges you to think deeply about the nature of war, conflict, control, and human nature, beginning to introduce meta-narrative concepts. And it’s no surprise that Kojima himself is an outspoken fan.

1 Death Stranding

A Space Odyssey with Deliveries

Close

Death Stranding

Action Released November 8, 2019 Developer(s) Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Sony, 505 Games Platform(s) iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S Powered by Expand Collapse

Hideo Kojima is often dubbed the “Kubrick Of Video Games” for his out-of-the-box thinking. At first glance, Death Stranding might seem just like a “delivery simulator”, as some have labeled it, but that’s missing the point. Like Kubrick, Kojima goes beyond conventional storytelling, offering a deeply profound story.

With its surreal landscapes and slow-paced narrative, punctuated by those seven-hour cutscenes, this approach evokes the same vibe found in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Kojima’s vision mirrors Kubrick’s, and we can’t get enough of it.

Next

10 Games With Unconventional Storytelling

These are the A24 of video game storytelling.

Posts