Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

 GameCube
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 286 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 248 out of 286
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 286
  3. Negative: 11 out of 286
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  1. ThomasW.
    Feb 24, 2004
    10
    Eric S is obviously about 10 years old and made his review up without playing it. The game is precisely the apposite to what he says, its not fun for the first 15 minutes, its average if bad for the first 15 minutes. After an hour it gets great, and after a few hours you're absorbed. By the time your in full flow with making your own spells, keeping your sanity low to see what cool Eric S is obviously about 10 years old and made his review up without playing it. The game is precisely the apposite to what he says, its not fun for the first 15 minutes, its average if bad for the first 15 minutes. After an hour it gets great, and after a few hours you're absorbed. By the time your in full flow with making your own spells, keeping your sanity low to see what cool tricks the game does, and wanting to know what happens next....you become obbsesed. This game is a masterpiece, right up there with Ocarina of time. This is a truly mature game, not the darkness or the violence, but the way it challenges your preconceptions and presents you with a truly unique plot. Resident evil is but a B movie. This is Psycho. … Expand
  2. KevinH.
    Jul 9, 2005
    10
    When I first got this game, I played it...and beat it all the way through four times. I decided to go back and play it after a couple of years and it is even BETTER than I remember. I admit, it is not the hardest game in the world but this is one of my favorite games.
  3. Aluk
    Feb 11, 2022
    10
    El juego de Terror supremo, con una historia intrincada y unos de los mejores trabajos de GC
  4. usd741
    Feb 15, 2022
    10
    It is the year 2021. It feels so incredibly while playing this game for the first time ever. I don't know why, but this game's story, gameplay, graphics and animations feel so cosy.
  5. ylnylmn
    Aug 11, 2022
    8
    Good game for its year. The story is engaging and exciting. Atmosphere and music are good. When I look at most people, the main reason why the game is loved is the hallucinations seen in the game. That's the part I liked too. Compared to Resident Evil, nothing surprised me. Resident Evil games are still better in my opinion. We can use magic in Eternal, it's nice, but it's not fun to useGood game for its year. The story is engaging and exciting. Atmosphere and music are good. When I look at most people, the main reason why the game is loved is the hallucinations seen in the game. That's the part I liked too. Compared to Resident Evil, nothing surprised me. Resident Evil games are still better in my opinion. We can use magic in Eternal, it's nice, but it's not fun to use and we usually use it to solve puzzles and puzzles are boring. Level desing is not very good, especially repetitive towards the end of the game. Levels are very similar and often linear. The use of firearms is weak. Generally, the melee weapon is more useful. Boss fights not bad. Enemy variety is low. It was a different gameplay experience. Even though it's annoying most of the time...… Expand
  6. dorohedorofan90
    Jan 23, 2022
    9
    Un clásico del terror imprescindible. Manejaremos distintos personajes, mientras la protagonista va descubriendo el pasado de sus antepasados. Con un nivel de cordura que nos obligaba a equilibrarlo para no tener alucinaciones. Con un sistema de combate que nos permitía atacar en una extremidad determinada en el cuerpo de nuestro enemigo. Combinaciones de magias que nos aportaban defensa,Un clásico del terror imprescindible. Manejaremos distintos personajes, mientras la protagonista va descubriendo el pasado de sus antepasados. Con un nivel de cordura que nos obligaba a equilibrarlo para no tener alucinaciones. Con un sistema de combate que nos permitía atacar en una extremidad determinada en el cuerpo de nuestro enemigo. Combinaciones de magias que nos aportaban defensa, fuerza o salud mental. Sino lo has jugado te estas perdiendo una obra maestra. Su secuela fue cancelada porque el estudio quedo en bancarrota... Una gema genuinamente olvidada.… Expand
  7. Tikur
    Jul 9, 2022
    10
    This game is simply amazing in his own unique way. I rate it 10 out of 10 because of the unique and intense experience this game has given me. I was not able to stop playing and completed it six times.

    There are some sanity effects that are technically outdated and are not able to trick you anymore, but some of them, are able to create what the f..k moments even today. The voice    This game is simply amazing in his own unique way. I rate it 10 out of 10 because of the unique and intense experience this game has given me. I was not able to stop playing and completed it six times.

    There are some sanity effects that are technically outdated and are not able to trick you anymore, but some of them, are able to create what the f..k moments even today.

    The voice acting, sound and music is fantastic and creates a deep and scary atmosphere. The story feels so big, because the threat the characters have to face comes from another dimension and is an indescribable superior force.

    So the game is very good at it, to show that the protagonists are only normal humans who have to fight against something which is beyond their imagination.

    The gameplay itself is the early 2000's standard. However the controls is way better than in the resident evil games at that time. The magic system gives the player some room to experiment with and add some interesting mechanics to the basic combat.

    The atmosphere of the different locations switches between mysterious, threatening and scaring. Sometimes in a very dynamic way.

    All in all an All-Time-Classic and it definitely manages to catch the spirit of the Lovecraft-horror.    … Expand
  8. Tubie
    Jan 19, 2011
    10
    This game will scare you. I didn't believe it was possible to feel so much fear and despair while playing a game. I don't think any other horror game past or present has even come close to this one. A classic.
  9. JustSumGuy
    Jun 28, 2014
    10
    With a detailed story and psychological horror elements that keep the player on edge, this is one of the best Gamecube titles out there. Eternal Darkness is arguably the greatest horror game I have ever played, and that is no exaggeration.
  10. ericwithcheese
    Nov 11, 2015
    9
    Eternal Darkness is a game so dark and twisted that you are shocked it came from Nintendo. Not your standard horror game, this one has a deeply disturbing storyline and messes with the sanity of the character as well as the player as it actively messes with the gamer using unique visual tricks and fake outs. A technical marvel at time of release, Eternal Darkness is one of the mostEternal Darkness is a game so dark and twisted that you are shocked it came from Nintendo. Not your standard horror game, this one has a deeply disturbing storyline and messes with the sanity of the character as well as the player as it actively messes with the gamer using unique visual tricks and fake outs. A technical marvel at time of release, Eternal Darkness is one of the most innovative games in the horror genre that deserves another look.… Expand
  11. LuisAntonio
    Dec 7, 2015
    8
    I had this game some months ago, and then I sold it :/. Anyway, This game is a strange gem, because it has a very good history, nice elements (the sanity bar), the music and atmosphere are great. However the graphics are not the best and the controls are clunky, finally sometimes the game is boring. If you have the time and patient this game is for you and probably you will give it a 9 or 10.
  12. Neelyry
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    Easily one of the best horror games of all time. It has an insanity bar, just like a health bar, and I highly suggest trying out losing your mind. I cant wait for a remastered version.
  13. drlowdon
    Nov 5, 2016
    8
    The game opens with Alexandra Roivas discovering that her grandfather's body has just been found in his mansion, bloodied and torn apart. With the local police unable to uncover any clues regarding the murder, she decides to take matters into her own hands and investigate the mansion and that’s when the tale of Eternal Darkness truly begins.

    Played now the graphics and combat system,    The game opens with Alexandra Roivas discovering that her grandfather's body has just been found in his mansion, bloodied and torn apart. With the local police unable to uncover any clues regarding the murder, she decides to take matters into her own hands and investigate the mansion and that’s when the tale of Eternal Darkness truly begins.

    Played now the graphics and combat system, while still more than adequate, are slightly outdated but developer Silicon Knights psychological thriller still stands amongst the GameCube’s best. This is in large part to its era spanning storyline that sees the player take control of characters ranging from a Roman Centurion to a hunter from the 1980’s. I won’t spoil the plot here but suffice to say they are all connected.
    Another of the game’s masterstrokes is the use of ‘insanity effects’. Should the players sanity bar drop to low all manner of strange things will start to occur, many of which have an effect on the gameplay.
    It may now be more than ten years old but those who own a Wii and are looking for something new to play could do a lot worse than picking up Eternal Darkness.    … Expand
  14. helena23
    Oct 27, 2011
    9
    nice and original residentevil esque game
    very good story and solid smooth graphics, easy controls and lots of characters to play with
    great game for 2002
  15. Rox22
    Mar 29, 2013
    8
    A truly remarkable game for it's time. Probably one of the most original games I've ever played. Visuals are OK for the most part, but not as good as they could be. Voice acting is very good, narrative is a bit confusing but pretty good (provided you get what's going on.) Atmosphere is truly where this game shines. A true horror game that does everything it can to mess with your mind.A truly remarkable game for it's time. Probably one of the most original games I've ever played. Visuals are OK for the most part, but not as good as they could be. Voice acting is very good, narrative is a bit confusing but pretty good (provided you get what's going on.) Atmosphere is truly where this game shines. A true horror game that does everything it can to mess with your mind. Overall: Eternal Darkness is truly a unique game that really can not be fairly compared with anything else, but if I had to try, I would say that it is a cross between Alone in the Dark and Amnesia. A great game and an unforgettable experience, but it could have use a little brushing up in terms of the visuals.… Expand
  16. TheUnbeholden
    Apr 21, 2013
    10
    This is an artform, video games are art? The vast majority aren't, but this... this is art.
    +The storytelling is done so compellingly, the story itself and the themes it covers are very lovecraftian, it essentially is like a lovecraft story in all but name.
    +You experience the past, through the eyes of others throughout history. You come will see a evil so terrible and far stretching    This is an artform, video games are art? The vast majority aren't, but this... this is art.
    +The storytelling is done so compellingly, the story itself and the themes it covers are very lovecraftian, it essentially is like a lovecraft story in all but name.
    +You experience the past, through the eyes of others throughout history. You come will see a evil so terrible and far stretching that you will have the context to truly understand how scary the ancient object is that you've found.
    +It's essentially survival horror in a dark gothic setting... yet its control scheme is SOooo good. Its very easy to use yet gives a very good level of control.
    +Sanity, this is so well implemented gameplay element, its ridiculous that no other game out there has copied it yet!! It makes the sanity system in Amnesia look pathetic, think Call of Cthulhu where seeing frightening scenes & linger around them to long decreases your sanity but the system goes above and beyond what you think. You're sanity level affects the game in subtle ways, strange things will start happening (not right away) but you'll notice weird things that it actually messes with not just your character, but you the player. What I mean is you will start to doubt your own sanity... I am not you.
    It's that good.
    +Fear, yes its scary without having to use jump scares. Its the hallmark of a good horror game & you should have already guessed by now that this game knows how to play with your imagination and use it against you. There might be 1 or 2 jump scares but it's almost out of place in this masterful tale of horror.
    +I could go on about puzzles and the voice acting, it's all so well done... the one thing I want more for this game than any other is for someone to port this baby to the PC. This game deserves to be remembered and played long after gamecube's a distant memory.    … Expand
  17. AhmadAlsumain
    Oct 24, 2017
    10
    I just revisited the game again and I can say, the game still holds up very high. Sure, the game doesn't provide the best graphics, or the best game-play, and it looks as if it was developed with a low budget, but don't judge the book by its cover. In its core, the game is actually scary. The sanity system can **** your brain up. I don't want so spoil too much. But the developers got itI just revisited the game again and I can say, the game still holds up very high. Sure, the game doesn't provide the best graphics, or the best game-play, and it looks as if it was developed with a low budget, but don't judge the book by its cover. In its core, the game is actually scary. The sanity system can **** your brain up. I don't want so spoil too much. But the developers got it right and they were able to make a game that scares the hell of the players.

    If you tried this game for a bit and it didn't impress you enough to finish it, I suggest you give the game another shot. The game does have a slow start (for me at least) but once you pass around 3 hours of the game, you will get into it and it will be nearly impossible to stop playing.

    Undoubtedly the most underappreciated game has ever been made. Play this game whenever possible.    … Expand
  18. Shigeru
    Sep 7, 2013
    9
    This game managed to create a scary overall atmosphere, yet always made me want to explore every dark corner of all the featured locations. Plot, fighting system, music, sound effects,... everything's top notch. There's only one little flaw: The enemies get quite difficult very soon and you might find yourself frustrated every now and then in the early parts of the game.
  19. Plasmaneedle
    Jan 25, 2014
    10
    Simply a masterpiece. The psychological horror elements are top notch. Gameplay, plot and character development are amazing. This is a deep, well polished game that everyone should enjoy
  20. Heisenberg93
    May 7, 2015
    10
    I played Eternal Darkness about 1 year ago. Unfortunately I never got a GameCube, so I used to play it with the well-known Dolphin emulator. I was curious to try a few games for the GameCube, and I knew the fame and prestige that Eternal Darkness has, so I decided to start playing it.

    In my opinion the plot of Eternal Darkness is strange, but especially beautiful. I loved a lot the time    I played Eternal Darkness about 1 year ago. Unfortunately I never got a GameCube, so I used to play it with the well-known Dolphin emulator. I was curious to try a few games for the GameCube, and I knew the fame and prestige that Eternal Darkness has, so I decided to start playing it.

    In my opinion the plot of Eternal Darkness is strange, but especially beautiful. I loved a lot the time gap from one era to another throughout the history and events of humanity, and amazingly all the stories will have a final perfect consistency. The characters are very well characterized, and each of them has a story to tell. Another thing that struck me is the atmosphere: I am not a big reader, but is palpable the reference to works of H.P. Lovecraft's literature and mythology, as the Ancients, the occult, spirituality, madness. Beautiful also the ending: a cruel but true reality of how human life is influenced by events older and greater than it, and how mysterious forces manipulate its fate. It is an anti-anthropocentric story: the man is in the universe, but not in its center, in other words.

    Like the plot, although the gameplay of Eternal Darkness is extraordinary. The first thing that catches one's eye is the special combat system: you can actually decide where to hit the target, to the head, to the body, or to the arms or legs, and according to the type of enemy the attack will have more or less effect. The combat system is in fact impeccably, and it must be considered the wide range of weapons available, from melee weapons to firearms, ancient and modern, and regardless of type of weapons the combat system is fun and structured. The use of magic with the special book not only allows you to perform powerful attacks but also to enchant weapons, or to interact with the environment to uncover secrets. Some types of spells need to be created by the player, through the combination of the runes. Among other things, the manner in which spells are related to each other by color, is a whole order of the strengths and weaknesses of the Ancients, and each color reflects the kind of power of the god. However what makes Eternal Darkness truly original is the indicator of mental sanity. Yes, because let's be honest: Eternal Darkness may be frightening, but not a lot. However the character's sanity, indicated by a green bar, it may decrease during the game and when it is empty the game begins to give birth to strange consequences: the heads of the statues that move, blood dripping from the walls, parts of the body that fall without a reason and many others. All this, beyond if the game is scary or not, surely leaves the player with his mouth open, because of unpredictability of events, and I personally found the addition of this expedient in the gameplay something simply brilliant. A special note for the battle against the final boss, that is beautiful and challenging. Really the gameplay of Eternal Darkness is beautiful, original and fun. It is as it should be the gameplay of each good game. If I have to say something that I didn't like some puzzles are a bit too frustrating and inconsistent, but they are relatively few compared to others.

    From a technical point of view, Eternal Darkness maybe not excel, but still boasts a pretty good graphics and well made in 2002, especially considering that the game was originally designed for Nintendo 64. A very nice soundtrack too. Speaking of my experience with the emulator Dolphin, Eternal Darkness is the game that gave me less trouble: 50 frames, few bugs, and an exceptional stability.

    Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem is a great game, well made, balanced and original. A masterpiece of thriller and horror and surely a killer app of the GameCube, and one of the best games of the early 2000s.    … Expand
  21. illusion0206
    Jun 17, 2016
    10
    Playing this game in 2016 for the first time. AND I LOVE IT! Had to get used to the magic-tool-box, but its just brilliant. Graphics are very nice for a GameCube game.
  22. tsmasher1000
    Dec 9, 2015
    9
    An expertly created game, this game instills fear into the hearts of gamers. The sanity system is something that will truly make you question the game and the gameplay is innovative, fresh and original. I have heard complaints of clunky controls, but I would rather complain that is how the survival horror genre plays out (for most survival horror games from the day this game was releasedAn expertly created game, this game instills fear into the hearts of gamers. The sanity system is something that will truly make you question the game and the gameplay is innovative, fresh and original. I have heard complaints of clunky controls, but I would rather complain that is how the survival horror genre plays out (for most survival horror games from the day this game was released had clunky controls). The story is truly excellent and has much food for thought. The only true complaint I can find here is that the boss battles of this game are something that you wished were better executed and that the game is rather easy even for a beginner.… Expand
  23. EpicLadySponge
    Dec 2, 2016
    9
    If there's anything you did not expect Nintendo to publish, it's this eye-jewel of a horror game. This horror game still has an actual story built onto it as of now unlike horror movies nowadays where they just use you for money. Possibly could be one of the best forgotten GameCube originals you could possibly play.
  24. iamevilhomer
    Mar 12, 2017
    9
    Can't make a review for this game without spoiling much and I really don't want to spoil stuff since that would ruin the kind of experience you're supposed to get.

    This is one of the best scary games ever made. It does something that pretty much no other horror game does. It plays tricks on your mind and will actually trick you, the player, into thinking that you're truly scared and    Can't make a review for this game without spoiling much and I really don't want to spoil stuff since that would ruin the kind of experience you're supposed to get.

    This is one of the best scary games ever made. It does something that pretty much no other horror game does. It plays tricks on your mind and will actually trick you, the player, into thinking that you're truly scared and truly losing your mind. Horror games today still don't do stuff like this. Not really. This game is on a whole new level of crazy for horror games. It's one of the best and you should totally try it. Great visuals too.

    And they said nintendo is a kids console... You would think otherwise if you played this one lol. This game is totally not for kids. Maybe a child who's been through some serious **** can handle it but not a regular child...
    I played this game when I was about 14 and it was totally messed up lol. Silent hill on crack basically.    … Expand
  25. BigJ69
    Dec 30, 2016
    10
    Cult classic. Filled with wonder, awe. mystery and Lovecraft. The narrative drove this game much further than the antiquated game systems. The sanity system was insanely good. If you spoil it you're missing out on the fun of experencing the game as its meant to be played. A shame Shadow of the Eternals never came to fruition. One of the best games in history.
  26. Captain_Faramir
    Apr 1, 2017
    9
    9.2 - Definitely one of the best and unique horror games out there. For 2002, there were some decent scares here and there, especially when you leave the game on idle. Game-play is really cool due to the fact that you be different characters every mission.
  27. Swift_Milo
    Mar 28, 2020
    9
    All I gotta say is this is easily in the top 5 of GameCube games to own. While it is hard to find and is becoming very expensive, you won't find any other horror game like Eternal Darkness.

    The game I thought at first was one of those games that got poor reviews. But I'm very surprised to see it so highly regarded. The mechanics do take time to get used to, but outside of that this    All I gotta say is this is easily in the top 5 of GameCube games to own. While it is hard to find and is becoming very expensive, you won't find any other horror game like Eternal Darkness.

    The game I thought at first was one of those games that got poor reviews. But I'm very surprised to see it so highly regarded.

    The mechanics do take time to get used to, but outside of that this is one of the best horror games of the 6th generation.

    The only thing is that much of the cutscenes haven't aged well model wise and some of the audio is in low quality, but it doesn't affect the game that bad.

    I'd love to see Nintendo return to this great series.    … Expand
  28. BurgerBum4892
    Mar 30, 2018
    8
    scary, just scary. That's many all I have to say about this game. The story line is over different time lines
  29. DarrionVale
    Aug 14, 2019
    8
    My personal rating for "Eternal Darness: Sanity's Requiem" (GC): 7,6/10 - Great
    Gameplay: 8
    Video: 7
    Audio: 9
    Scope: 4
    Balance: 7
    Story: 9,5
  30. BeepBoopMan
    Jul 6, 2018
    9
    This review will contain no spoilers/small ones. Eternal Darkness is a GC game that got out in the 2002, but despite its age it is still one of the horror games I would highly recommend to anyone who like the genre. I personally played a dozen adventure horror games and only heard about Eternal Darkness but never tried it. But as of late I have been properly acquainted with the game and imThis review will contain no spoilers/small ones. Eternal Darkness is a GC game that got out in the 2002, but despite its age it is still one of the horror games I would highly recommend to anyone who like the genre. I personally played a dozen adventure horror games and only heard about Eternal Darkness but never tried it. But as of late I have been properly acquainted with the game and im sorry I havent tried it earlier.

    The visuals are great, even though the game is old the characters, places, items etc. look nice and not old. Camera is locked but that (mainly) isnt the problem as it is implemented well. Some of the visual effects look great even today.
    Audio is also very good. The music is atmospheric and haunting in places it should be and "laid back" and slow where it also should be.Voices are done well and dialogue carries the story quite satisfactory. One minor quip ( if Id really have to nitpick) is some sound effects could have lowered volume.
    The controls are responsive and feel good, the combat system is done well and is very fun to use. There is a spell system which maybe gets a bit tedious by the end but its nitpicking again. Enemies can mostly be avoided so the combat isnt compulsory. There are also traps in various chapters which again are done well and if you die by them, you feel like its your fault and not the bad controls or the "game's fault" in some other way.
    But what Youll mostly be doing besides combating the forces of evil and eluding traps is solving puzzles. The puzzle are (without spoiling much) very creative and are mostly not hard. The puzzles can usually be solved in the rooms they are presented in or nearby, although there are a few parts with backtracking and that can get tedious.
    The story itself is very good and does branch (although very slightly). The story itself is compeling enough to keep playing just to see the end.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best GameCube Game of 2002
5
#5 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
4
#4 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. G4 TV
    100
    Developers of 3D games should study the camerawork in "Eternal Darkness." It's quite simply a stunning technical achievement.
    Read full review
  2. Play Magazine
    100
    All of this delightful action and horror comes wrapped in a bone-chilling soundtrack with enough chanting and "what the hell was that?" sound effects to sen dyou running for the light switch. [Aug 2002, p.62]
  3. GamePen
    100
    From cover to cover this game was full of originality.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »