This document discusses how different video games elicit feelings of awe and escapism through their design. It analyzes Mass Effect 2 for its believable sci-fi world, the Fallout series for its immersive post-apocalyptic settings, the Bioshock series for how it uses shock and surprise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for leveraging familiar music and tropes, Portal for its innovative puzzles and humor, and Shadow of the Colossus for its presentation of scale.

1. Awe and Escapism in Games

2. MASS EFFECT 2(Un)Believability

4. FALLOUT 3/NEW VEGASImmersion

7. BIOSHOCK SERIESShock

9. MODERN WARFARE 2Music/Familiarity

12. PORTALInnovation/Humour

16. SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUSScale