User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1612 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Aug 11, 2023
    8
    Amnesia is one of the most revolutionary horror games, youtubers like pewdiepie and markiplier were born thanks to this fantastic game, I spent hundreds of hours on the game and its custom stories, Original setting but perhaps a little repetitive, tedious but interesting puzzles, monsters are 3 but still manage to strike terror. The lantern is always etched in my heart. Rating 8.5
  2. Aug 10, 2023
    10
    One of the greatest horror games of all time. There isn't another horror game that compares to the sheer atmospheric terror that you get from this game. No jump scares... just the way I like it. Don't let youtubers/streamers deter you from playing it because of how they act. They are there to entertain you, please play the game by yourself and enjoy it.
  3. Aug 10, 2023
    10
    That's the best horror game I've ever played. It's a truly scary game, not like most other games that call itself horror games.
  4. Jul 13, 2023
    10
    I did not expect such an great game ! Atmosphere is amazing with very good grapics and sound quality. I recommend it if you want to play with your brain in coope :)
  5. May 29, 2023
    9
    A defining horror game, Amnesia really did a great job of raising the bar and making their game equal parts skin crawling, intriguing and terrifying. The story was compelling, and the gameplay terrifying.
  6. Jan 22, 2023
    10
    I can't describe how amazing this game is, just what a perfect game, I will play again
  7. Dec 18, 2022
    9
    Definição de terror em forma de videojogo, criou varias conceitos e me inspirou a jogar ainda mais jogos desse gênero.
    Nota Final: 9,4
  8. Oct 24, 2022
    10
    This game redefined the survival horror genre. Play in the dark with earphones on. Make sure there is no connection to the outside world. I was so scared I could not finish. A beautifully executed image of being hunted by the unknown set in an old creepy castle.
  9. Sep 5, 2022
    9
    This is the game that defined a genre for the better or worse. It is still one of the most haunting games to date.
  10. Jul 21, 2022
    9
    9/10. Опыта в хоррорах у меня мал, но я, вряд-ли, еще долго буду считать ее лучшим хоррором. Из моей памяти все не выходит тот момент, когда в паническом ужасе, бежишь от чего-то под водой, в последний момент открываешь дверь и слышишь этот один саунтрек, который подарил мне нериальное блаженство и спокойствие.9/10. Опыта в хоррорах у меня мал, но я, вряд-ли, еще долго буду считать ее лучшим хоррором. Из моей памяти все не выходит тот момент, когда в паническом ужасе, бежишь от чего-то под водой, в последний момент открываешь дверь и слышишь этот один саунтрек, который подарил мне нериальное блаженство и спокойствие.
  11. Jul 20, 2022
    8
    Жуткое и атмосферное приключение по старинному замку, которое перестает наводить страху, если заучить элементарные паттерны передвижений монстра, но при этом продолжает пугать благодаря грамотному геймдизайну, обворожительно ужасающей истории и все той же леденящей душу царице атмосфере. Итого: 8.Жуткое и атмосферное приключение по старинному замку, которое перестает наводить страху, если заучить элементарные паттерны передвижений монстра, но при этом продолжает пугать благодаря грамотному геймдизайну, обворожительно ужасающей истории и все той же леденящей душу царице атмосфере. Итого: 8.
  12. Jul 5, 2022
    10
    Brah, not like the other horror games, this game doesn't try to scare you by cheap jumpscares. It scares you with tension. Absolute masterpiece.
  13. Jun 10, 2022
    10
    10/10 is not an exaggeration, this game shaped what we know today as horror games, it is a masterpiece of the game history, and it deserves its spotlight.
    I think there is no other game that has me to engaged for so long and so amazed on its mechanics.
  14. Apr 30, 2022
    10
    This is the scariest game of all time. It is the father of all of those "defenseless" horror games out there now, such as Outlast. The monsters are frightening and creative, the sanity mechanic is threatening but fair, and the story is incredible.
  15. Mar 31, 2022
    10
    King of horror games. From a certain point after 1-2 hours i couldn't play it more. The game offer so much stressful moment, which defeat me. I watched the walkthrough, so i can say the story behind the horror is surprisingly good.
  16. Mar 29, 2022
    8
    A well-planned linear plot, memorable locations and musical accompaniment make this game a worthy representative of the genre.
  17. Mar 21, 2022
    9
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a survival horror adventure video game by Frictional Games, released in 2010 for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems, in 2016 for the PlayStation 4 platform and in 2018 for the Xbox One. The game features a protagonist named Daniel exploring a dark and foreboding castle called Brennenburg, while trying to maintain his sanity by avoidingAmnesia: The Dark Descent is a survival horror adventure video game by Frictional Games, released in 2010 for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems, in 2016 for the PlayStation 4 platform and in 2018 for the Xbox One. The game features a protagonist named Daniel exploring a dark and foreboding castle called Brennenburg, while trying to maintain his sanity by avoiding monsters and unsettling events. The game was critically well-received, earning two awards from the Independent Games Festival and numerous positive reviews. Expand
  18. Mar 15, 2022
    9
    Best horror have I ever played. Maybe not best game but it is really scary. Can' t stop playing.
  19. Mar 12, 2022
    9
    incredibly scary stressful atmospheric dark story aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  20. Feb 5, 2022
    8
    Очень атмосферная, жутковатая и с классной историей игра.
  21. Jan 19, 2022
    9
    the game is awesome i really enjyed it: atmosphere, plot, ost, graphic is good. there was a few scarry moments, few hard quests, i really liked it
  22. Nov 6, 2021
    10
    This is pinnacle of horror game category with another 2-3 games. Story is intriguing but not much. Background is studied and game has good background story. It takes your attention. Main character is ordinary man and game don't eloborate on main character but it is not important. Villian is goodwriten character and game teaches you about villian adequately. Not much told about villian andThis is pinnacle of horror game category with another 2-3 games. Story is intriguing but not much. Background is studied and game has good background story. It takes your attention. Main character is ordinary man and game don't eloborate on main character but it is not important. Villian is goodwriten character and game teaches you about villian adequately. Not much told about villian and this is good because its mystery remains. and most importantly location: location is key factor that makes this game so much good. Brennenburg and its atmosphere magnificent. It makes you feel extremely alone and performs essential part of the horrifying experience Expand
  23. Aug 5, 2021
    9
    I really like amnesia due to its atmosphere after all, the game has amazing sounds and music. that you seem to be in this ancient castle, but if the storyline in this game would be longer and there would be more scary moments, I would put 10, but I would put 9/10.
  24. Jun 14, 2021
    9
    Один из лучших представителей жанра, заслуживающий внимания каждого любителя хорроров
  25. May 21, 2021
    9
    Love it so much. So much great atmosphere i can not stop playing it, so exciting
  26. Feb 2, 2021
    10
    This game... perfection. No horror game will ever beat this magnificent piece of art. The story is amazing, atmosphere, puzzles, gameplay, characters, monsters and above all, its scary as all hell. Now i've played a lot of horror games (outlast, layers of fear, silent hill, P.T, blair witch, resident evil, phasmophobia etc.) , but nothing has ever been as scary as this game. And the otherThis game... perfection. No horror game will ever beat this magnificent piece of art. The story is amazing, atmosphere, puzzles, gameplay, characters, monsters and above all, its scary as all hell. Now i've played a lot of horror games (outlast, layers of fear, silent hill, P.T, blair witch, resident evil, phasmophobia etc.) , but nothing has ever been as scary as this game. And the other amnesia games (Machine for pigs and Rebirth) were nothing compared to this, when i played them i felt like i was at a daycare, playing this i felt like i was in a damn haunted house. This game should be the standard for horror games. I wish this game went on forever so i don't have to keep replaying it over and over again. I would rate this 100 if i could. Expand
  27. Jan 8, 2021
    8
    Great classic horror game with a bleak and twisted story, and interesting morally ambiguous characters. Playing this game exposes oneself to not just fright scares, but a lot of uncomfortable emotions. This was crafted with love by people who know a lot about horror. The reason I can't rate it higher is that it's a clunky game. The engine is just functional, and monster encounters areGreat classic horror game with a bleak and twisted story, and interesting morally ambiguous characters. Playing this game exposes oneself to not just fright scares, but a lot of uncomfortable emotions. This was crafted with love by people who know a lot about horror. The reason I can't rate it higher is that it's a clunky game. The engine is just functional, and monster encounters are more annoying than they are scary. They come out of nowhere, you can't really avoid them a lot of times, and the best way to deal with them is to get yourself killed so they despawn. This game has a great insanity mechanic btw. It's only second to Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth. Expand
  28. Dec 23, 2020
    9
    You can not ask for a more consistent, atmospheric, horrifying game experience. On top of that, a breath-taking storyline in an incredibly well-made world, complete with the interactive gameplay that allows for alternate endings!

    This is simply the best horror game that has ever been made, and it will doubtfully ever be bested. But it is worth saying that some people may find it's
    You can not ask for a more consistent, atmospheric, horrifying game experience. On top of that, a breath-taking storyline in an incredibly well-made world, complete with the interactive gameplay that allows for alternate endings!

    This is simply the best horror game that has ever been made, and it will doubtfully ever be bested.

    But it is worth saying that some people may find it's puzzles complicated, it's survival aspect too demanding, and the "questline" confusing. It's not a game that necessarily holds your hand, and it may be overwhelming.
    Expand
  29. Dec 14, 2020
    10
    There are many reasons this game is sometimes called "the best horror game ever".
    Interesting story, spectacular sound design, terrifying atmosphere, this game has it all.
    It's a must- buy
  30. Nov 21, 2020
    8
    one of the best horror games.

    Good: Great story, creature design, soundtrack, fear at all times in the dungeons

    Bad: the artificial intelligence of the enemies sometimes fails and the puzzles become difficult because the pieces are difficult to get.

    My opinion: If you are looking for a horror game, I definitely recommend this game
  31. Nov 17, 2020
    9
    Best survival horror I've played. It really succeeds in building up that tension with a haunting and eerie athmosphere. Very good and interesting story.
  32. Nov 11, 2020
    9
    The Dark Decent is currently one of the best horror games I've ever played. Throughout the entire game I was terrified but I had this motivation to keep pushing on. That motivation was from how interesting and fun the game is.

    The gameplay stands out a lot in the horror genre. You could say it's a simple walking simulator, but as it gets more in depth it really shows off how unique it
    The Dark Decent is currently one of the best horror games I've ever played. Throughout the entire game I was terrified but I had this motivation to keep pushing on. That motivation was from how interesting and fun the game is.

    The gameplay stands out a lot in the horror genre. You could say it's a simple walking simulator, but as it gets more in depth it really shows off how unique it is. One of the mechanics is sanity, if you don't keep your sanity high enough you may start experiencing problems with the mind, causing hallucinations and an inability to see. As you can tell, it can get really scary if your sanity isn't high enough. Light plays a major factor here as well. You need to make sure to manage light, if you don't your sanity will fall and dangerous consequences may stop your path. The enemies are also an interesting factor, sometimes you're just relying on sound, with the option of seeing them. Each type of enemy has its own sound, so you'll be able to tell if you can hide or outrun it. There was one sound that I never saw the enemy that matched it, it sound a lot heavier and I'm glad I never poked my head around the corner.

    I didn't quite understand the full story after I finished it, but from what I played I could gather the basics. The story is presented through collectable notes and voices inside your head, so if you are not paying attention you'll miss the plot. It was interesting enough to keep me playing till the end. It's probably something I'm going to read and watch a lot about.

    There were a few technical problems, like audio randomly being in my left ear only or me falling out the map. However, it doesn't really make the experience worse but kind of adds to it. When I feel out the map I thought it was a feature and crapped myself in the process.

    To conclude, Amnesia: The Dark Decent is an amazing and unique horror game that has left an impact in the horror genre, possibly inspiring many more games I haven't played yet. It's a master of visual and audio immersion, which in combination creates one of the best horror games of all time.
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  33. Nov 9, 2020
    9
    ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎
  34. Nov 7, 2020
    10
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the best game I've played.
    In this game, an unrealistically cool atmosphere and music, by the way, I want to tell you about the plot separately.
    It is based on a very philosophical story that is presented in a very interesting way. The plot was divided into three parts: beginning, middle and end. I called the end conditionally, this is the period in which
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the best game I've played.
    In this game, an unrealistically cool atmosphere and music, by the way, I want to tell you about the plot separately.
    It is based on a very philosophical story that is presented in a very interesting way.
    The plot was divided into three parts: beginning, middle and end.
    I called the end conditionally, this is the period in which we play.
    The beginning of the story is given to us through notes, and the denouement of the story is already in the memories.
    For those looking for a game, I recommend Amnesia: The Dark Descent, you will not regret the time spent.
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  35. Oct 27, 2020
    9
    Amnesia es uno de mis juegos de terror favoritos, la historia es muy buena y aunque el creador dijo que no logró llegar a su objetivo con la historia, en mi opinión las escenas de recuerdos con audio me parecen simplemente perfectas. Me siento realmente dentro del castillo de Brennenburg y sumergido dentro de la historia. Lo recomiendo mucho para todos los que disfruten de los juegos de terror!
  36. Oct 21, 2020
    9
    Really good. It's easy to say "it's just a walking simulator", but it's a really scary one if it is.
  37. Oct 21, 2020
    9
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is nothing short of amazing. In a time where most horror games settle for cheap jump scares and underdeveloped convoluted stories. Instead Amnesia: The Dark Descent takes its time to build tension through sounds and its setting building its atmosphere of unease and dread while utilising its monsters in effective ways to frighten its players without it ever seemingAmnesia: The Dark Descent is nothing short of amazing. In a time where most horror games settle for cheap jump scares and underdeveloped convoluted stories. Instead Amnesia: The Dark Descent takes its time to build tension through sounds and its setting building its atmosphere of unease and dread while utilising its monsters in effective ways to frighten its players without it ever seeming like a cheap predictable move. The gameplay while simple is entertaining and not hard to understand. Puzzles are designed in a way to challenge you without ever seeming impossible as long as you pay attention. Additionally, the plot present in this game is not only intriguing and scary but it is also shown during the journey through letters leading to both the player and character Daniel to understand what brought them into the situation they find themselves in together. Lastly, the release of the same development tool kit used to make the game allowed for players to have fun creating their own disturbing stories. The only problem I had with it at points was that sometimes the story could end up feeling extremely confusing as you tried to piece it together which led to a bit of frustatrion and a sense of "Wtf is going on?" but at the end of the day it led to a good pay off once it made sense.

    In conclusion, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is nothing less than a horror classic that revolutionised its genre and was the inspiration of many games that followed it.
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  38. Sep 20, 2020
    9
    There is a new Amnesia being released soon so I wanted to relive the original experience, I had fittingly, mostly forgotten (/repressed). I have played a lot of horror games since Amnesia's first outing, but I'd never got close to feeling the sort of nerve-wreaking terror it offers. Its brilliant, and this time, I also made greater effort to understand the plot, rather than just runningThere is a new Amnesia being released soon so I wanted to relive the original experience, I had fittingly, mostly forgotten (/repressed). I have played a lot of horror games since Amnesia's first outing, but I'd never got close to feeling the sort of nerve-wreaking terror it offers. Its brilliant, and this time, I also made greater effort to understand the plot, rather than just running from place to place, holding the underside of my pants.

    To my surprise, the game exceeds what of it I had recalled. Its survival horror through and through. Brennenburg Castle is dark, labyrinthian and imposing. The enemies are horrific. Both aspects of the game are far better established and relevant to the plot than most other horror games. Like Silent Hill 2, a classic in the genre, you're inability to unpick what it what all means adds to the impact of every moment, whether its reality or the fantastical nightmares of a desperate and vulnerable playable character is always impossible to know. The literal descent, brilliant pacing and brooding sound design adds greater intensity to the atmosphere. The intensity, as it should, aims to tests the player's willingness to continue through the game's path and seek potential answers that might explain whatever evil that lurks within. The player's ability to manipulate even the smallest aspects of the environment, the way you literally have push and pull doors open, realised through a solid physics engine, ensures constant immersion throughout.

    Its easily the scariest game I've ever played. Its not a perfect game, greater enemy variety and more interesting puzzles would have been nice, but as a pure horror game, there aren't much better.
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  39. Sep 11, 2020
    9
    Great story, top-notch atmosphere, harrowing immersion, and consistently pretty scary. It's a tight experience that also feels epic in scale despite its closed quarters. I love most of the puzzles, but some of the more physics-based ones are a slog. Early on you have to stack and climb boxes to leave a room, for instance. There's also the issue of key points of progression or interactivityGreat story, top-notch atmosphere, harrowing immersion, and consistently pretty scary. It's a tight experience that also feels epic in scale despite its closed quarters. I love most of the puzzles, but some of the more physics-based ones are a slog. Early on you have to stack and climb boxes to leave a room, for instance. There's also the issue of key points of progression or interactivity being hard to spot - like a window you have to break or a pipe opening you have to obtain oil from hidden in the shadows of a room filled with pipes pouring water. The endings are also kind of underwhelming, but the journey and the sense of accomplishment getting there are incredible. Expand
  40. Sep 4, 2020
    10
    The father of the horror game in the first person game, the great game and the great ost i have player
  41. Aug 15, 2020
    10
    Шикарный представитель хоррор-игр. Даже спустя целых десять лет игра всё ещё пугает. Музыка, атмосфера, сюжет — всё на высоте! Определённо один из самых лучших хорроров за всю историю.
  42. Aug 6, 2020
    8
    Quite good horror with atmosphere of danger and scary moments. Cool puzzles and feel of fear before monsters. Good physics and unique mobs. If u want some adrenalin - you must play in this game.
  43. Jul 5, 2020
    9
    Редкий случай когда записки читать было очень интересно. А момент с монстрам под водой так вообще заставил паниковать в реале.
  44. Jun 21, 2020
    8
    The game mechanics are a little clunky but over all had a good time with this one. If you want to give an old game a go this is one of the good ones, if you like new games then stay away, this one does not hold up when compared to modern games like soma.
  45. Jun 17, 2020
    9
    Scares you properly. Makes you think and read to come up with solutions to puzzles. Scares you some more. Compels you to uncover the mystery. Frightens you.

    Good stuff.
  46. Jun 3, 2020
    8
    The game is very scary and interesting. The story is great and brutal. It kept me on the edge if my seat especially whenever a monster was close by.
  47. May 14, 2020
    8
    This game showed us what a horror game should be like. Remarkably few have followed suit. Still one of the best experiences of its kind. It is an experience you do not forget and the atmosphere is truly fantastic. That's why the ending is a bit disappointing.
  48. May 13, 2020
    10
    Super atmospheric horror game which is one of the bests to this day. Many games try to copy it's formula to this day (SOMA, Outlast etc.).
  49. May 1, 2020
    8
    Excellent horror and survival game that already has an intriguing story but still wins with the stories that the community creates in its mods. Mandatory for lovers of the genre.
  50. Apr 13, 2020
    8
    Отличная игра. Очень атмосферная, с интересной механикой. Пожалуй, первые пара часов для меня были самыми страшными - потом уже более менее привыкаешь и хорошо ориентируешься. Сюжет интересный и ещё здорово воссоздано ощущения человека, потерявшего воспоминания: бродишь по локации и персонаж вдруг что-то вспоминает; ну и записки, конечно, помогают. Рекомендую!Отличная игра. Очень атмосферная, с интересной механикой. Пожалуй, первые пара часов для меня были самыми страшными - потом уже более менее привыкаешь и хорошо ориентируешься. Сюжет интересный и ещё здорово воссоздано ощущения человека, потерявшего воспоминания: бродишь по локации и персонаж вдруг что-то вспоминает; ну и записки, конечно, помогают. Рекомендую!
  51. Mar 30, 2020
    9
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is not another survival horror game where you have to hide from a monster and look for a way out. It is, in fact, the "survival horror game", one of the games that laid the foundations of this genre, having a macabre atmosphere and a very well written story.
  52. Feb 26, 2020
    8
    Best horror game out there, build up is great and game elements add to the admosfer, it can get really spooky if you play in the dark. Only minus is bad graphics and sometime other gameplay elements can get a bit dull.
  53. Feb 6, 2020
    8
    10/10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
  54. Jan 8, 2020
    9
    It's so great that the horror elements alone make it a masterpiece worth playing.
  55. Dec 30, 2019
    9
    Only the light will help you overcome your obstacles.

    Want to escape a dark room, what do you do? Turn on your lamp so you can see the rocks blocking the door of the room you're in, so you can escape the frustration of being trapped. But you better hope you have oil in your lamp or a tinderbox handy. Sometimes you can make it away from the invisible monsters without your lamp, but
    Only the light will help you overcome your obstacles.

    Want to escape a dark room, what do you do? Turn on your lamp so you can see the rocks blocking the door of the room you're in, so you can escape the frustration of being trapped. But you better hope you have oil in your lamp or a tinderbox handy.

    Sometimes you can make it away from the invisible monsters without your lamp, but just barely.
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  56. Dec 28, 2019
    10
    BEST BEST BEST horror with Resident evil 2 remake and The evil within 2 all rest horror game is boring.
  57. Nov 7, 2019
    8
    Amnesia doesn't need an introduction and doesn't need me to talk about it. This is one of the best games ever made second only to Frictional Games' later title SOMA. Absolutely terrifying, brilliantly written, and forever memorable.
  58. Oct 28, 2019
    8
    The game crashed in the lower dungeons and I was so frazzled and mentally drained that I never carried on.
  59. Sep 24, 2019
    8
    Wonderful story and atmosphere and quite disturbing indeed.
    By the end of the game I was really frustrated by how obtuse many of the puzzles are. I had to look up the solutions a fair few times, and often the solution is just nonsensical--throwing stones at an object to move or a break it, when a stone could clearly not move or break said object, as a generic example.
    That sort of thing
    Wonderful story and atmosphere and quite disturbing indeed.
    By the end of the game I was really frustrated by how obtuse many of the puzzles are. I had to look up the solutions a fair few times, and often the solution is just nonsensical--throwing stones at an object to move or a break it, when a stone could clearly not move or break said object, as a generic example.
    That sort of thing tested my patience and took me out of the game, especially near the end, but it wasn't enough to ruin the experience.
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  60. PSz
    Aug 17, 2019
    9
    The best horror game of the decade. I can safely say that as 2019 is coming to an end. The only game that could beat it was Silent Hills but #Fuc Konami happened if you know what I mean.
    Modern classic still unsurpassed after 9 years.
  61. Jul 25, 2019
    10
    No other horror game will make me as scared as this one. THIS is how horror games are made!! But, don't take my word for it. Play the game and see for yourself...

    IF YOU DARE!!!!

    FYI, my hands are still shaking after I've completed it. That's how **** scary this game is.
  62. Jun 26, 2019
    9
    This was a great horror game. very easy to run. pretty spooky and had some great puzzles. it had good sounds, neat music and a very interesting ending. wish its predecessor was as good as it was. one of the things that i liked was how the game did not drag on for like 20+ hours its usually around 8 no matter what ending you go for.
  63. May 22, 2019
    9
    I don't normally like Horror games, but Amnesia: The Dark Descent really did it for me.
  64. May 19, 2019
    8
    Is one of the best survival horror games in history, like Penumbra Franchise. Great Game 8/10
  65. Apr 19, 2019
    10
    This is probably one of the best horror game out there. Its different from any other horror game. The story is amazing aswell.
  66. Jan 2, 2019
    8
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a good example from what a horror game should be.

    The game is immersed in a mysterious story, full of puzzles and scary moments. The game is challenging and intense, it is quite likely to have one or several scares especially if you play it with headphones with the volume at maximum. Graphically it is not bad by 2010 standards, I highlight the "light and
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a good example from what a horror game should be.

    The game is immersed in a mysterious story, full of puzzles and scary moments. The game is challenging and intense, it is quite likely to have one or several scares especially if you play it with headphones with the volume at maximum.

    Graphically it is not bad by 2010 standards, I highlight the "light and dark" effects that are sometimes quite well designed.

    Overall an excellent experience, with a good story, which kept me interested even though I am not a fan of this genre of games.

    Here is small YouTube vide with the first minutes of the gameplay if you wanna check it out: https://youtu.be/q-V8_uvbG2s
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  67. Dec 27, 2018
    8
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a critically acclaimed first person horror game which breathed new life into the genre. Those who played earlier titles of Frictional Games, namely Penumbra series, could probably see this coming as it was already clear that Frictional Games was trying something different, focusing on immersion rather than classic gameplay.

    The first thing that was new with
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a critically acclaimed first person horror game which breathed new life into the genre. Those who played earlier titles of Frictional Games, namely Penumbra series, could probably see this coming as it was already clear that Frictional Games was trying something different, focusing on immersion rather than classic gameplay.

    The first thing that was new with Amnesia was the use of darkness as a core design element. Rule 1: You are scared of what you do not know. Having a very low range of vision means the player won’t see the monsters lurking around until they are very close and as soon as a monster becomes visible, the player gets to turn back and run; which brings us to the second innovative idea: removal of combat. Rule 2: You are scared when you are desperate. In Amnesia, you are weaker than everything else. You are basically a coward, a chicken that loses its mind by the mere lack of light or by facing a monster. Finally, the immersive sound design -as in most other successful horror video games- helps to create a scary atmosphere.

    Having said all that, I still did not love Amnesia as much as the first two Penumbra titles. I have found storytelling lacking in comparison to the aforementioned games, which was a big blow to the overall immersion. Also, the more I played the game the less I got scared because it did not take long until I figured out how to avoid monsters. Towards the end, the game felt much less scary to me than other horror titles I love such as Dead Space or Silent Hill.

    In any case, one has to respect Frictional Games for having the guts to try something new and achieving to make a game that has influenced many others. I don’t think Amnesia is the scariest game of all time as many others seem to believe, but it is a good game nevertheless, a must play if you are a horror enthusiast.
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  68. Nov 23, 2018
    8
    Когда-то давно я слышал о ней, и даже скачивал и играл, но полностью не проходил. Всего лишь удалось зацепиться за понятие "психологического хоррора", с элементами беготни от разного рода пугающих вещей, а также с поиском ответов на поставленные загадки по ходу игры (кстати выполнены они достойно, не то что бы трудно, но это как раз таки и не мешает игре, они в первую очередь интересные.Когда-то давно я слышал о ней, и даже скачивал и играл, но полностью не проходил. Всего лишь удалось зацепиться за понятие "психологического хоррора", с элементами беготни от разного рода пугающих вещей, а также с поиском ответов на поставленные загадки по ходу игры (кстати выполнены они достойно, не то что бы трудно, но это как раз таки и не мешает игре, они в первую очередь интересные. Не обязательно быть чем-то ни решаемым, чтобы иметь сверхъестественный характер). Прошло довольно длительное количество времени, в плане общего понятия "психологический хоррор" очень многое поменялось. Что-то в лучшую сторону (хоть и не многое), а что-то стало совершенно отстойным и неиграбельным. Но отметить достойные проекты можно, хотя бы взять игру "Alien: Isolation", научно-фантастическая работа, которая действительно удалась. То есть данный жанр может существовать в теории, но создавая очередной проект, можно серьезно облажаться.

    "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" - это игра, которая смогла определить характер и полноценную значимость психологических хорроров. Есть моменты когда получается, есть когда почти выходит, а есть идеал. Рассуждая про игры данного жанра, я хотел бы углубиться в свои чувства при игре, то есть что я чувствовал и что творилось у меня в голове. Это куда более правильно и интереснее, по отношению именно к данной игре. А чувствовал я примерно следующее, я думал как бы не сдохнуть - конец. Тут можно начать говорить, что мол как примитивно и поверхностно для подобного жанра, всегда надо прятаться и сюжет уходит на второй план. Но тут я готов поспорить. У термина не сдохнуть, есть большое количество интерпретаций и искажаемых определений. В данном случае я подразумеваю ответвление. Да, именно его, сейчас изложу более детально и с примером. При игре ты действительно прячешься много и тебя везде поджидает страх смерти, и сам страх тебя тоже не покидает. А это потенциальная, а потом еще и действительная игра в прятки. Но есть большое, но. Когда ты ищешь определенную цель или тебе надо действительно изучить локацию, чтобы достичь результата, ты вместе с этими прятками получаешь хороший разряд изучения окружающего мира. Да ты вынужден прятаться, но игра не забывает о тебе и за хорошую изворотливость награждает тебя результатом. Может показаться странно, и что мол так и должно быть всегда. Но потом вы понимаете, что если бы не эта беготня с прятками, было бы еще куда все примитивнее. После беготни вы не только приходите за целью, вы еще и изучаете локацию. Потому что подсознательно знаете, через что вам пришлось пройти, чтобы попасть сюда. И говорите себе что надо выжать все соки из этого места. Придерживаясь такой механике, у игры получилось создать атмосферу вечного страха, чаще легкого, но присутствует он всегда.
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  69. Sep 18, 2018
    8
    Really scary. No jump scares or gore, just perfectly demonstrated feelings of isolation in face of undefeatable danger. In last third it looses it's atmosphere (because by that time you're used to anything the game throws at you) but overall this game is strong experience.
  70. Aug 11, 2018
    8
    Very cool psychological horror with a cool storyline. Best psychological horror game!
  71. Jul 21, 2018
    10
    Horror is a very hard game genre to master. Unlike shooters, or open world games, Horror is focused on manipulation of human emotion. Its very hard to create an enjoyable experience while keeping what makes a horror game truly terrifying, and there are very few games that do just that.. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of those games. Everything from the story to each little pebble on theHorror is a very hard game genre to master. Unlike shooters, or open world games, Horror is focused on manipulation of human emotion. Its very hard to create an enjoyable experience while keeping what makes a horror game truly terrifying, and there are very few games that do just that.. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of those games. Everything from the story to each little pebble on the ground is created not only to put true terror in the player, but also to immerse them in this dark and morbid world the game creates. One thing horror games get wrong, is the interaction with the world that the player has gone into. Most horror games see the world as just a walk-through map that sometimes has keys on it. But Amnesia allows you to examine the world as you wish, as you can pick up nearly all small objects and move them around/put them anywhere as you wish. This can help with hiding from monsters (as you are so totally defenseless), or navigating your environment in ways never seen before. The soundtrack is most definitely one of the best soundtracks in gaming history, and it combined with the many, many distant sounds of footsteps, rats crawling, boxes falling over, and even human screams turns this "walking simulator" into a chilling experience not for the faint of heart. The story and general writing is good till the point of perfection, telling a dark story of terror, death, and even a bit of adventure. This game will always live on to be one of the greatest horror experiences out there. Hopefully more games like this will be released in the future. Expand
  72. Jun 30, 2018
    9
    In my opinion, one of the best horror videogames out there, if not the best. I think that almost nobody can play this game staying calm, it's an unique psycological adventure that you cannot miss if you're an horror fan ;-)
  73. May 11, 2018
    8
    Если вы любите немного попугаться, сидеть в углу и решать головоломки это игра для вас.
    Очень понравился сюжет и его подача, что не отменяет того, что "убийца дворецкий" было понятно практически сразу.
  74. Rem
    Mar 8, 2018
    9
    Back in 2010 Frictional Games popularized the first person horror experience with its release of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The indie scene became a bastion for horror during the lull of scary triple-A titles last generation. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of the main games to thank (or blame) for the resurgence in creepy, atmospheric games. Arguably one of the scariest first personBack in 2010 Frictional Games popularized the first person horror experience with its release of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The indie scene became a bastion for horror during the lull of scary triple-A titles last generation. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of the main games to thank (or blame) for the resurgence in creepy, atmospheric games. Arguably one of the scariest first person horror games, Amnesia finds strength in keeping you at unease despite a few stumbles.

    Players awake in a castle in the 1800s, their memory wiped due to the titular malady. Amnesia begins a slow, steady burn toward the first frightening monster reveal – a tortured beast that cannot be killed directly. You play as Daniel, a man with the sole task of killing the baron of the castle, the reason why comes together as you venture further into the castles depths. Amnesia’s story is told primarily through notes and diaries scattered about with a sprinkle of environmental cues. It’s a dark, extremely twisted tale that continuously peaks your curiosity as you continue to uncover the more morbid details. It’s backed by solid voice acting and the story displays a Lovecraftian vibe for those into that sort of mythos. The only major gripe I have for the story is that the endings fall well short of expectations. It’s anti-climactic and fairly unsatisfying to say the least because of the lack of payoff.

    Amnesia’s lasting legacy is due to its oppressive atmosphere and truly effective horror elements. The influence of Lovecraft is etched into every corner and the fact that it’s so consistently dark and foreboding speaks to the commitment of the developers. Gameplay centers around Daniel traversing through the castle as he attempts to reach his supposed target. Only thing is, he must maintain his sanity, solve environmental puzzles, and conserve his resources all while being pursued by grotesque monstrosities known as the Gatherers. Forget about fighting them as this game places an emphasis on Daniel not being a willing combatant, he must either flee or hide. The focus on flight over fight only amplifies the omnipresent sense of dread. Not being able to battle the abominations stalking you might be infuriating in other games, but Frictional handles it with unsettling elegance. This is due to the various setpieces and how wonderfully setup they are. Dead ends paired with chase sequences kept my adrenaline booming without even seeing my pursuer once. One major gripe I have regarding such encounters is that the enemies become predictable and easy to exploit, often diminishing what would otherwise be terrifying moments, but these moments are rare. Daniel’s sanity meter must also be balanced as he will begin to suffer hallucinations and attract the attention should he spend too much time in the darkness. Advancing through the game is the only method to regain your wits, which creates a feedback loop that pulls you ever forward rather than encouraging the meticulous scavenging behavior that is a hallmark of so many other horror games. His use of resources such as lamp oil and tinder boxes become more valuable than bullets in other games. It’s this balancing act that never becomes too forgiving or punishing that makes Amnesia a fantastic survival horror game. The various puzzles you encounter never ask of you to solve a riddle, instead forcing you to think outside the box about your surroundings. They aren’t brain tickling, but are solid enough to stop you in your tracks and think throughout the game’s well paced 7 to 8 hours.

    Visually, Amnesia has very average looking components, but it’s supremely effective use of light and darkness coupled with its commitment to its aesthetic of a foreboding 19th Century European castle propels it’s lauded atmosphere even further. The sound design follows this same excellent quality from the ambient noises to environmental reactions. It keeps you on edge throughout and its accompanying music serve the setpieces very well. Much of Amnesia’s horror is a result of its pitch perfect audio design and I couldn’t be more glad for that.

    This indie project is an expertly crafted tale of horror and discovery that uses its interactive nature to enthrall players as deeply as any tale in videogames. Amnesia is barely a game in the traditional sense, leaving the nearly two decades of horror gaming tradition since Alone in the Dark by the wayside and forging its own twisted path. It’s ending and predictability of encounters marr some of its more stellar moments, but many games as of today still try to recapture its same horror brilliance since.
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  75. Feb 23, 2018
    8
    8.5 out of 10.
    Amnesia provides even more polished survival horror experience than Penumbra Black Plague. It has very little jumpscares and a lot of atmosphere.
  76. Sep 17, 2017
    9
    One of the best horror experiences ever created. With a dark and deept story you can only understand if you spend your time exploring every area of this game filled with monsters, allucinations, dark fog and an entity that has cursed the castle.
  77. Jul 9, 2017
    8
    Amnesia: the dark descent is a good game which surprised me, I've always had a problem with horror games where you just walk around until a jumpscare comes out of nowhere, it's more annoying than scary but thankfully amnesia doesn't really belong in that category for me.

    The story wasn't as complex and thought provoking as "Soma" and it wasn't as interesting and tragic as "Amnesia: a
    Amnesia: the dark descent is a good game which surprised me, I've always had a problem with horror games where you just walk around until a jumpscare comes out of nowhere, it's more annoying than scary but thankfully amnesia doesn't really belong in that category for me.

    The story wasn't as complex and thought provoking as "Soma" and it wasn't as interesting and tragic as "Amnesia: a machine for pigs" but it still manages to keep me entertained until the end...BUT the last quarter of the game dissapointed me, it got a bit too ridiculous and it took me out of the story and the endings were all anti-climatic and dissapointing... but other than that it was intriguing.

    The gameplay wasn't great but it has more interesting ideas unlike some other games (outlast), you have a lantern but you can't use it all the time because otherwise the torch will ran out, but you can't stay in the dark because it increase your insanity level which will make the screen blurry.
    BUT other than that, the gameplay wasn't great, the puzzles were annoying at times but it did save it from being just another walking simulator.

    What made this game made a great horror game was the atmosphere, the audio and the presentation are perfect, it's stressful and I do found this game scary at times.
    I rarely find a game scary but this game genuinely creeped me out and that really surprised me, they weren't any cheap scripted jumpscares most of the time, the ambiance and the themes of torture really unsettled me, it was a feeling a rarely felt in a game and I appreciate that.

    So even if I think it's a flawed and at times overrated, amnesia: the dark descent was an effective horror game, I wish the gameplay and the story gave me more of an impact but the atmosphere and the themes behind the story made this game scary and worth it.
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  78. May 17, 2017
    8
    An entertaining plot, interesting puzzles and absolutely bloody terrifying. Amnesia: The Dark Descent will have your heart pounding like nothing else out there, give it a go now... if you dare!
  79. Apr 27, 2017
    10
    Este juego es solo para los mas bravos, la jugabilidad te sumerge en el autentico terror, es como jugar un juego de terror de mundo abierto (excepto que todo pasa dentro de un castillo)
  80. Apr 27, 2017
    10
    Amnesia : The Dark Descent was not the first horror game I had played, but it was definitely the first of it's kind - run and hide, do or die. Yes, this was my very first experience with the survival horror genre, and what an experience it was..

    The lovecraftian setting of the enormous castle in which you spend the entirety of the game will make even the bravest of gamers feel helpless
    Amnesia : The Dark Descent was not the first horror game I had played, but it was definitely the first of it's kind - run and hide, do or die. Yes, this was my very first experience with the survival horror genre, and what an experience it was..

    The lovecraftian setting of the enormous castle in which you spend the entirety of the game will make even the bravest of gamers feel helpless and isolated, as the level-design is absolutely spectacular with it's ''gruesome'' simplicity and exquisite lighting.

    When it comes to the ''fear-factor'', this game does something very simple yet very effective - it makes you traverse the horror-ridden halls and sanctums of the Brennenburg castle.. completely alone. From start to the very finish, you will not have a single sighting of another human being other than yourself. This makes for a very powerful psychological tool, as the game never allows you to actually grasp anything else rather than danger - whatever moves, it is out there to either haunt or dismember you.

    Throughout the game, you will solve area puzzles by collecting items and combining them, which I felt had given just the right amount of a mental challenge, while also running and hiding from the monstrosities plaguing the gigantic mansion. Your only constant tool will be the oil lamp, which must be carefully conserved and used only when necessary as it will attract enemies and reveal your position. While the darkness would serve to hide you from your grotesque pursuers, you should not revel in it's embrace, and this is also one of the finest twists in the game's arsenal - should you spend too much time in the dark, your sanity will give out and Daniel, your playable character, will crumble under the weight of a mental breakdown, leaving you completely helpless and unable to move, for a while.

    Lastly, as if the near-perfect design and impeccable gameplay weren't enough, Amnesia is also gifted with an absolutely remarkable story. Through differing flashbacks and collecting texts, a captivating and spine-chilling tale will slowly unfold to the player, adding depth to an already amazing experience.

    After playing games like Outlast, Layers Of Fear, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Dead Space, F.E.A.R, and many others, I can honestly say that all simply pale in comparison to this absolute masterpiece of a horror game. I have never before (or after) been so genuinely gripped with fear like when I was playing Amnesia : The Dark Descent, and I believe that it could be years and years before another title dismantles it. Simply put, it is arguably, if not definitely, the most terrifying gaming experience of all time.
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  81. Apr 19, 2017
    8
    I love amnesia one of the best horror games I've played and its the origin of its genre. Good game loved everything except the level design which was a bit repetitive, when it had the potential to have fantastic level design. All in all totally a must play for a horror fan.
  82. Apr 17, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amnesia the Dark Descent is an amazing masterpiece of survival horror, there was never a moment when I wasn't scared during a play through. Amnesia has amazing gameplay; you can run or hide. The character's name is Daniel who takes an amnesia potion but is left with a note by his old self to murder Alexander. The monsters in this game patrol for a little while and then despawn, it is easier when you figure this out. The one monster, the Karenk, you can't see but is very terrifying. The game doesn't get easier as you have a sanity meter that will go out if you look at a monster for too long, they will eventually spot you. Expand
  83. Apr 1, 2017
    9
    9.5 - Outstanding survival horror. Awesome puzzles, cool environments and enemies. Inventory and sanity system is also great, and movement and controls are very well done and fitting for the survival-horror genre.
  84. Jan 31, 2017
    8
    This is the scariest horror game ever, period. Music and story are also good, although these are not usually talked about in reviews. My complaints are mainly the awkward and sometimes frustrating controls, short length of the game and lack of explanation on certain part of the story. They could have made use of the setting and lengthen the game to tell us more about the main charactersThis is the scariest horror game ever, period. Music and story are also good, although these are not usually talked about in reviews. My complaints are mainly the awkward and sometimes frustrating controls, short length of the game and lack of explanation on certain part of the story. They could have made use of the setting and lengthen the game to tell us more about the main characters and background of Shadow and Orbs.
    However considering that this is an indie game made by 6 people, I think the devs did a very great job. I highly recommend it.
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  85. Dec 6, 2016
    9
    If I was to liken Amnesia to a film, it would almost certainly be Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you have never watched it then you probably wont know what I'm going on about. But despite its title, there is virtually no gore in it at all. No chainsaw massacres, no nothing really. But one thing it does do, and does well, is it is disturbing without being shocking. It is a series of wellIf I was to liken Amnesia to a film, it would almost certainly be Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you have never watched it then you probably wont know what I'm going on about. But despite its title, there is virtually no gore in it at all. No chainsaw massacres, no nothing really. But one thing it does do, and does well, is it is disturbing without being shocking. It is a series of well placed shots, well paced story, and inventive camera and sound play. In short, this is what Amnesia is. If you turned the sound off you would probably think what the hell the fuss is about. But the developers really know their genre. And better than that, they don't really go in for jump scares. Amnesia is about a sense of building danger and suspense as you discover more about the protagonist you play. This is well played out through scripted notes and flash backs. The other game of this kind - Outlast - is very similar. I would say Amnesia has more character. Outlast is top dog for jump scares and its graphics are also better. But I think over all Amnesia is executed better (although they are both good titles IMO). Along with Alien Isolation, these are without doubt the best 3 survival horror titles in the market today. I would put this on a par with Alien isolation, and Outlas5t a close(ish) second. Expand
  86. Oct 29, 2016
    9
    A breath of fresh air for the horror genre at the time, Amnesia: The Dark Descent shows the so-called "survival horror" games how it's done. Playing this game legitimately had my breathing pick up, my heart race, and my hands sweat, and I was playing in a fairly lit room. This game does so many things right, from the sound design to the monster encounters to the puzzles and theA breath of fresh air for the horror genre at the time, Amnesia: The Dark Descent shows the so-called "survival horror" games how it's done. Playing this game legitimately had my breathing pick up, my heart race, and my hands sweat, and I was playing in a fairly lit room. This game does so many things right, from the sound design to the monster encounters to the puzzles and the environments.

    The game's central focus is the balance of light and dark. Your player character has nyctophobia, a fear of the dark, and in the darkness your sanity will drain, encouraging you to stay in the light, whether it be by the light coming from windows, lighting a torch with one of your limited tinderboxes for a reprieve in a particularly dark room, or lighting your lantern to help shine your way. However, the darkness is often your friend, despite its detrimental side-effects. The horrifying monsters that lurks the halls of the 19th century castle of Brennenburg will spot you easily in light, but you are able to hide in the darkness, creating a dichotomy between staying hidden in the dark at the cost of sanity, or taking a risk for light in order to keep your mind together. Looking at the monsters will drain your sanity as well, and staring too long will lead to you being spotted, creating further tension as you often cannot keep your eye on the monstrosities to make sure they aren't moving closer, forcing you to rely on sound for most encounters.

    Speaking of, the sound design is impeccable. You can hear every detail in the environment, from the howling wind coming in through a broken window, to a door shutting itself in the distance. When you hear the sickening groan of a monster entering your area, it makes for a very tense situation, forcing you to be careful and juggle light and dark in order to survive. Perhaps you'll try to locate where the monster is and maneuver around it, or maybe you'll pick up a nearby rock and throw it to distract the horrifying creature. Either way, fighting is not an option. If these creatures see you, running is your only recourse, as they are relentless and you are defenseless.

    One thing I would complain about the game, however, is that the monster encounters can be somewhat predictable. They almost always spawn in after an important task has been completed, and it can become somewhat easy to tell when they'll appear based on objectives. This doesn't make the encounters any less harrowing, in most cases, and sometimes you'll be forced into a single room with no way out, praying that the monster just on the other side doesn't decide to investigate the room you are hiding in. Another complaint is that it's very easy to tell when a monster is around and when it leaves, as the musical cues will always tell you. A specific track will play when a monster is in the area, and this track will end when the monster leaves, meaning that you'll always know when you should take things carefully and when you're completely safe. The soundtrack will also change to a screaming and howling track when a monster sees you, meaning that you'll always know what to do at any given time when it comes to monster encounters. This is good game design, sure, but it comes at the cost of some of the atmosphere. The game's horror factor would've been amplified without these cues, forcing the player to rely entirely on environmental cues in order to know when a monster may be lurking about, and to listen out for the groan a monster will make when it spots you to know when to run, though you could easily just turn off the music for this exact effect (though I'm not quite brave enough to try it myself).

    All in all, Amnesia is a master-class of survival horror, bringing new life to a dying genre of games that is filled to the brim with lame jumpscares and scare chords, unable to capture the subtleties and nuances that makes a true survival horror game.
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  87. Aug 17, 2016
    10
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is one of my favourite horror games ever made. I made a whole series on my YT channel and I was scared as hell. I really like the "soft" jumpscares and tension.
  88. Aug 16, 2016
    9
    Read this well. This is the most frightening experience you will ever get with any kind of entertainment available. Simply put: it doesn't exists any movie, game, or whatever other thing around that can be scarier as this particular title. Amnesia the dark descent is simple the most scary, frightening, tense and everything phobic experience a human being can get in a lifetime.

    It is the
    Read this well. This is the most frightening experience you will ever get with any kind of entertainment available. Simply put: it doesn't exists any movie, game, or whatever other thing around that can be scarier as this particular title. Amnesia the dark descent is simple the most scary, frightening, tense and everything phobic experience a human being can get in a lifetime.

    It is the macabre in such a level you never saw, it is insanely heavy, and will make your mind to have hallucinations you don't have the b@lls for the game... I thought I had, I am a horror fan and no movie ever scared me... Poltergeist, mehh, The ring, mehhh, The conjuring, mehhh, The exorcist, mehhh, all mehhh, I hardly find anything scary on movies... While Silent Hill 1 and 2 are both my top games of all time, and the scary parts count for that, it is not only because of that... Amnesia focuses on deliver fear, and it does better than silent hill, better than anything else.

    Amnesia is and will probably be for a long time the scarier and fearsome entertainment experience can provide by any means...
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  89. Jun 25, 2016
    9
    We're currently going through an age where the horror genre is dying out as they're getting repetitive, at least for horror games that occupy the Steam market and Steam Greenlight. However, when people thought that there was no hope, Amnesia: The Dark Descent decided to come on in and show everybody how a horror game should be done.

    In Amnesia: The Dark Descent, the main thing that
    We're currently going through an age where the horror genre is dying out as they're getting repetitive, at least for horror games that occupy the Steam market and Steam Greenlight. However, when people thought that there was no hope, Amnesia: The Dark Descent decided to come on in and show everybody how a horror game should be done.

    In Amnesia: The Dark Descent, the main thing that makes it a truly great horror experience is the fact that it makes you defenceless as you have nothing to defend yourself against the horrors that may lie inside the castle. All you have is your trusty oil lantern, which keeps on running out of oil and forces you to find more. Your only way of truly escaping these monsters is to hide from them by using the darkness and the hiding places to your advantage. However, if you spend too long in the darkness, it can affect your sanity, so you can't spend too long in the darkness. This is a great way to experience true horror, making you feel defenceless against the monsters that litter the castle, that are rigorously trying to hunt you down. It's rare you feel this sort of way in horror games nowadays, which is why it's so refreshing to see it being taken into effect in this game. There are also some puzzles that are thrown at the player, none of these puzzles are difficult per say as long as you've been paying attention to the notes and hints that have been left around for you, however some of these puzzles feel a bit tedious and unnecessary to add in.

    The story of Amnesia is that you play as Daniel who has woken in the castle with no recollection of anything at all, you as the player must tread through the castle, picking up notes, piecing back together Daniel's memory, avoiding the enemies around the castle and foiling a maniacal scheme that is set to be carried out. I always like the sort of games that throw this sort of plot at the player because it makes you feel immersed in the role as the main character knows as much as the player does and he learns along with the player. However besides the set up of it, the rest of the plot doesn't feel that special and, I'm not going to reveal spoilers here or anything, but by the time I reached the end of the game, I felt like I had more questions than answers and for the last 20 minutes, due to the story, I felt like I wasn't really playing the game I thought I was going to be playing when I first started it up, if you know what I mean.

    This is an indie development company and I was amazed by the graphics when the game started. They went into lots of detail when designing the game. The lighting work that is done on the windows of the castle is great, the walls look really god and detailed, even the monster look quite good. The only complaint I have is that some of the creatures that scatter across the ground at times look like they were made of an ugly blob, but that's just nit-picking.

    The sound in this game is brilliant. The noises that occupy the castle sound terrifyingly real, especially with headphones, it really helps you immerse yourself in the world that this game is creating.

    I really enjoyed my time with Amnesia: The Dark Descent as it took risks that other horror games dare not take and did it with a terrific pay off

    Pros
    + Terrifying
    + Good gameplay elements
    + Good graphics
    + Great sounds
    + Pretty good story

    Cons
    - Tedious puzzles
    - Got a bit sci-fi near the end
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  90. sft
    Apr 24, 2016
    8
    Into the light

    I’m not normally a fan of games that present you with deadly enemies and then give you no option to defend yourself, but ATDD uses this device cautiously and to good effect. Evading the enemies is fairly stressful (as it should be) but is never frustrating or annoying. ATDD is all about atmosphere, which it has by the bucketload, and story, which it has in some depth.
    Into the light

    I’m not normally a fan of games that present you with deadly enemies and then give you no option to defend yourself, but ATDD uses this device cautiously and to good effect. Evading the enemies is fairly stressful (as it should be) but is never frustrating or annoying. ATDD is all about atmosphere, which it has by the bucketload, and story, which it has in some depth. Much of what has to be done in the game, by way of solving puzzles, will be familiar to anyone who has played adventure games before but here again ATDD gets the formula just right. This is the first survival horror game I’ve played that has no combat (I’ve played plenty that do) and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it performs in both the survival and the horror aspects. Graphically it’s pretty good but not outstanding. There are some nice touches of interactivity: you have to pull and push at doors and drawers in order to open and close them. And the sound design is also very atmospheric. It’s a fairly short game but it packs quite a lot into 10–15 hours of gameplay and is recommended if you like the horror genre.
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  91. Feb 10, 2016
    9
    Incredible horror game with great mechanics and physics (quite odd). The atmosphere of the dark castle really helps this game, especially late on as you die repeatedly, the monsters begin to become somewhat annoying rather than scary because you've seen their ugly faces over and over again. Plus, the narration is kinda cool, but the protagonist is quite dull at times.
  92. Nov 9, 2015
    9
    Everything that needs be said about this game has already been said. It is a fantastically frightening experience for those that get immersed in horror games and even after countless imitators, it still stands out as the best example of its particular style. Cracks may begin to show in the mechanics if you play it like a regular game, and it requires a certain commitment of mind and focusEverything that needs be said about this game has already been said. It is a fantastically frightening experience for those that get immersed in horror games and even after countless imitators, it still stands out as the best example of its particular style. Cracks may begin to show in the mechanics if you play it like a regular game, and it requires a certain commitment of mind and focus to have the intended effect, but for those into this kind of thing, it will always be one of the scariest games ever made. Expand
  93. Sep 23, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's maybe the best horror game i played. And I might say i play a lot of survival horror game.

    The only reason I dont give a 10 is that de par of agrippa is boring and the big fail in this game is the final. The game deserved a better final.

    I hope they make the second part.
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  94. Jun 28, 2015
    10
    It fantastic! This how you do a survival horror game! The story is complex, the visual are great, the puzzle are interesting and the levels are well designed!
  95. May 21, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it................................. Expand
  96. ave
    Apr 13, 2015
    8
    Have you ever experienced real fear in games? I mean something that scares you to the bones? If not, please be my guest, dive into Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

    As you wake up in a strange place, equipped with only a lamp, you wander into (seaminly) abandonned rooms and corridors, finding clues along the way of a dark experiment... I've played Amnesia: The Dark Descent twice, this first
    Have you ever experienced real fear in games? I mean something that scares you to the bones? If not, please be my guest, dive into Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

    As you wake up in a strange place, equipped with only a lamp, you wander into (seaminly) abandonned rooms and corridors, finding clues along the way of a dark experiment...

    I've played Amnesia: The Dark Descent twice, this first I went very far in the story - almost to the end - and retried a second time, decided to be more wary of my ressources. Unfortunately, the game was more difficult and I was blocked pretty early in the story. Too bad because I really wanted to solve that mystery completely.

    Nevertheless, Amnesia: The Dark Descent in a very good game, and a brilliant exemple of how to build tension with level design solely. Play it if you love challenge because this game is unforgiving. Any mistake can cost you health, sanity, or simply your chances of reaching the end. And that's the essence of survival horror, isn't it ?
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  97. Jan 17, 2015
    9
    This is my favorite horror game. The atmosphere is just perfect, with good use of lighting and sound cues. The enemies are genuinely terrifying, and trying to find a hiding place before it finds you really gets the heart racing. The story is well thought out and delivered in a good mix of dialogue, flashbacks and notes. The game allows for user made custom stories, some of which areThis is my favorite horror game. The atmosphere is just perfect, with good use of lighting and sound cues. The enemies are genuinely terrifying, and trying to find a hiding place before it finds you really gets the heart racing. The story is well thought out and delivered in a good mix of dialogue, flashbacks and notes. The game allows for user made custom stories, some of which are brilliant and definitely worth checking out, such as The Attic, and Black Forest Castle.

    The game has a few flaws, hence why I am not giving it a 10. The monster AI is very predictable, and you can learn after a few encounters that they are easy to deal with. After a few minutes of hiding they will "despawn" and be removed from the level. Furthermore a sound cue will play when the monster spawns, and will stop playing when it despawns. This detracts from the feeling of anticipation, as you know there is no monster after you as you traverse the level if the sound is not playing, making the atmospheric sounds seem much more benign. The other flaw is the surplus of resources. There is so much lantern fuel and tinderboxes in the world, you never feel the need to conserve resources, which defeats the purpose of having them in the game.
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  98. Jan 17, 2015
    8
    "Hey there, so I like to play games that scare me."
    Oh cool, well you've picked the right ga-
    "Like, pants-****ingly scary. I don't want to be able to sleep." Y-yeah, sure. Like I was saying, this game would be perfect for y- "And I also like the odd puzzle or two to complete in the story" Okay, well you're in luck, because this has that t- "While I'm simultaneously ****ing my
    "Hey there, so I like to play games that scare me."
    Oh cool, well you've picked the right ga-

    "Like, pants-****ingly scary. I don't want to be able to sleep."
    Y-yeah, sure. Like I was saying, this game would be perfect for y-

    "And I also like the odd puzzle or two to complete in the story"
    Okay, well you're in luck, because this has that t-

    "While I'm simultaneously ****ing my pants"
    You have issues.

    So yes, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is quite a scary game. The scariest, in fact, that I have come across. You play as Daniel in this Survival Horror game, who wakes up in a castle with no memory of how he got there (bing! title!).

    Unlike horror games such as F.E.A.R, where you can defend yourself against monsters; here, you have no means of fighting back. It's a frightening game of hide-and-seek. And the fear trickles in. It doesn't reveal everything straight away, so the anticipation of running into a monster really eats away at you.

    It's not just your health that you have to keep track of, but your sanity. If you remain in the dark too long, or look at something that doesn't make any rational sense, your sanity starts to deplete. This makes your screen blurry, and your controls less responsive, making for a harder experience. Thankfully, you've got a lantern and can find oil and tinderboxes along the way to keep you in the light.

    The story is actually compelling, the Gothic art-style is perhaps outdated now, but fits the game perfectly. You may quit due to fear and frustration from the few puzzles you come across, but this is definitely worth pushing through to reach the end, where there are some rather confronting torture chambers.
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  99. Jan 13, 2015
    8
    A true modern horror classic. Those extremely tense moments and challenging puzzles take you back to a time when survival horror was key and patience was a must. Fantastic story and atmosphere make this a must for horror fans.
  100. Jan 9, 2015
    9
    This game is brilliant, its scary, hard and you wont want to stop playing. I rate this nine because of the ending was kind of disappointing. There were 3 endings and 2 were ok but the other one was a bit meh. I recommend this game for Penumbra fans. The games atmosphere always make you worried or scared and the chases are terrifying. I really recommend this game to horror game lovers.
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 44
  2. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Apr 19, 2011
    90
    Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the scariest game in years. You'll get an extremely creepy vibe from the castle and all of the mysterious things that are happening there. The voice overs and the ending of the game aren't great, but this shouldn't bother anyone seeing how you'll be extremely scared when you play this on your own in a dark room.
  2. Jan 31, 2011
    83
    Amnesia offers an experience so rich that we're willing to forgive its weak ending, imperfections of the engine, and low-bugdet production values.
  3. Jan 29, 2011
    90
    At times it's a struggle to play purely because of how scary it can be, and it's not often you can say that about a video game. Just remember: lights off, headphones on, and try not to go insane.