Bendy and the Dark Revival

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 90
  3. Negative: 18 out of 90

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. PINBALL72
    Nov 20, 2022
    7
    This game is an obvious upgrade from its predecessor, but it is still very lacking in some places. Let's go through each category:

    -GRAPHICS- As expected, the art style in Bendy and the Dark Revival is so unique and gorgeous that it immediately draws you into the terrifying world of ink. Not really much else to say in this department. -GAMEPLAY- The gameplay is a massive upgrade    This game is an obvious upgrade from its predecessor, but it is still very lacking in some places. Let's go through each category:

    -GRAPHICS-
    As expected, the art style in Bendy and the Dark Revival is so unique and gorgeous that it immediately draws you into the terrifying world of ink. Not really much else to say in this department.

    -GAMEPLAY-
    The gameplay is a massive upgrade from the original, with an improved(yet still flawed) combat system and an RPG upgrade system. There are also a lot more stealth sections, but the AI of the enemies are so braindead it's laughable. You would be standing behind a small desk in a brightly lit area and they wouldn't see you. They also do not respond to noise at all. The puzzles are amazing, however, and there is a substantial decrease in fetch quests. The bosses are definitely a low point in terms of game design, however.

    -STORY-
    This game's story is so, so, so good. It answers many questions from the original game and continues the original in a way I would have never expected. It does seem a little forced how the devs handle it, however.

    -MUSIC-
    The OST in Dark Revival is an absolute earworm. Nothing else much to say.

    Overall, Bendy and the Dark Revival is a huge step up from BatIM. The graphics are amazing, a major part of the full ink world story is revealed, and the music is outstanding. The only thing holding this game back was the lackluster combat, RPG, and stealth system, resulting in a Great atmosphere but lacking gameplay. Heck, the ink demon doesn't even chase you! He just appears out of thin air if you don't hide quickly enough! It was so disappointing, but the story and world definitely kept me going. Don't get me wrong, the gameplay is a LOT better than BatIM's fetch quest marathon and terrible combat system. This game is definitely worth your time if you like bendy.    … Expand
  2. Vuuvie
    Nov 21, 2022
    7
    Joey Drew Studios returns, and with it so does the Ink Demon. With a fantastical setting seemingly ripped out of a fifty year old sketchbook, it is your task as Audrey to not only survive the growingly-hostile grounds of the animation studio, but to find a way back home.

    The way that the game looks is stunning. It is clear to see that the people working on this poured their heart and    Joey Drew Studios returns, and with it so does the Ink Demon. With a fantastical setting seemingly ripped out of a fifty year old sketchbook, it is your task as Audrey to not only survive the growingly-hostile grounds of the animation studio, but to find a way back home.

    The way that the game looks is stunning. It is clear to see that the people working on this poured their heart and soul into it. I truly cannot praise those responsible for how this game looks enough for giving me the chance to explore such a charismatically bleak yet terrifyingly cheerful environment. The only true criticism I could have for the style would be that I was left with an almost demonic desire to explore every inch of the decrepit location only to be faced with countless doors that led to nowhere.

    When it comes to characters, there are slim pickings when getting to the meat of prominence. There is Wilson, the unsettling Janitor of Archgate Films with one good eye and (most likely) a restraining order. Audrey, a hardworking animator looking to make sense of her situation. Then who can forget the instant fan favorite, Bendy the Ink Demon- who won our hearts without saying even a single word. This however is where everyone else takes the proverbial backseat. New or old, all other characters appear so little in the story that one could debate that the story would have been the same if they were never a part of it in the first place. What little we did get from them was reduced to nothing more than scribbles written onto memos.

    Now for the story. What started off as a strong reintroduction to the world of Joey Drew Studios, and the ever-looming GENT Corporation was very quickly melted down into a slurry of side-stories that most usually ended just as quickly as they began in a way that left the player little time to actually speculate for themselves. That's not to say that the ideas behind these stories weren't good, quite the opposite actually. It simply felt very rushed, and I find that to be the worst part about the games otherwise sparkling image. The ending, though left me hopeful in someways- disappointed me in others in the exact same manner. It was rushed, most likely to meet deadlines. A true shame.

    The combat in the game is almost always reduced to a 'point here and click' mindset, but when it isn't it does not disappoint. Challenging but fair, so long as you do not stumble into a programming issue like how you can simply crouch your way through 'a certain boss encounter' without risk.

    Lastly, the best part of this game hands down had to be the Butcher Gang- all FOUR members making themselves irreplaceable to the game as not only recognizable characters, but charming individuals in their own twisted way. This band of hostile hooligans, though a bit dinged up, help make the game everything it wants to be.    … Expand
  3. Fazcoasters
    Dec 28, 2022
    7
    I've waited years for this and it was a solid experience. I'm not a big fan of the combat but the boss fights and story were great. I like Bendy & The Ink Machine better purely out of nostalgia/memories but this is a great sequel.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. COGconnected
    Jan 4, 2023
    78
    Joey Drew Studios has created a memorable nightmare world of maniacal ‘toons and the dark side of creativity. While its combat and mechanics don’t reach the same level as its setting and narrative, Bendy and the Dark Revival is a must-play for fans of the first game, and an effective introduction to a singular franchise for everyone else.
    Read full review
  2. GameMAG
    Dec 20, 2022
    60
    Bendy and the Dark Revival is trying its best to seems impressive and broad, but boring enemies, annoying stalker-type monster and bad stealth segments really drag the whole experience down, turning this project into a game tailored more for the fans of the original rather than a new audience.
    Read full review
  3. CGMagazine
    Dec 8, 2022
    70
    Bendy and the Dark Revival drowns in its own basic black and white design for survival horror, but manages to amaze players with a more confident sequel to a unique nightmarish satire on all things Disney.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »