The Evil Within

 Xbox One
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1031 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 845 out of 1031
  2. Mixed: 78 out of 1031
  3. Negative: 108 out of 1031
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  1. psugrad1999
    Oct 14, 2014
    8
    I've only had time to play this game for about 2 hours, but I got to say, I really like it. The graphics are incredible, and the gore is perfect for this time of year. I give it an 8, but i'd rather give it 7.5.

    Why? The controls are horrible. Not intuitive at all. Doesn't follow what any other game has done. To crouch/sneak, hold down the right bumper. To pick up an item, press    I've only had time to play this game for about 2 hours, but I got to say, I really like it. The graphics are incredible, and the gore is perfect for this time of year. I give it an 8, but i'd rather give it 7.5.

    Why? The controls are horrible. Not intuitive at all. Doesn't follow what any other game has done. To crouch/sneak, hold down the right bumper. To pick up an item, press A. To access your inventory press down on the right analog stick. Every other game you press one of the menu keys. The only keys that work as expected are the game menu, and the trigger buttons. Very poor. Even worse, I felt like I was playing last year's tomb raider. There is a scene early in the game that is almost identical to Tomb Raider.

    While the graphics are incredible, I have to question why they'd do a letter box. I get it, that it gives a more cinematic experience. But really, who doesn't have their console hooked up to a wide screen tv? It's really just wasted space and is really annoying.

    Also, there is no honeymoon period in this game. The first chapter does little to really tell you how to play the game. It's difficult to determine what you can interact with. And it's not as open as I would hope for a 4th gen game. The save option is horrible. How they heck do they expect someone to realize you have to stare in to a mirror to access the save? And, the whole save process is way too drawn out. Alien Isolation had a much better save system.

    With that said, the game is gory. The ambience is perfect. I can't say much about the voice acting, nor the actual story line yet. But so far, I love this game. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an Xbox One or planning to get one for Christmas.    … Expand
  2. Johangir
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    its a good time for the AAA survival horror genre. terrifying ambience, really tough gameplay (in the Dark Souls style of natural difficulty, not scripted trial-and-error), and the graphics are also pretty good. horror or not, Shinji Mikami's games are always a blast to play through, and this is no exception
  3. slim1985
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    Evil Within grafts Resident Evil 4's gold standard survival action to a far less forgiving world. That it even comes close to matching Capcom's masterpiece is cause to celebrate. And sweat. And quiver.
  4. DarkWolf1991
    Oct 14, 2014
    8
    This game does prove that survival horror is not dead, The Evil Within is a game that has a nice balance of atmosphere, tension building, combat and running away. The graphics doesn't look anything too special but it the perfect controls for character and camera movement doesn't feel too floaty or too heavy, it actually feels just right.

    Admittedly, The story is rather confusing and    This game does prove that survival horror is not dead, The Evil Within is a game that has a nice balance of atmosphere, tension building, combat and running away. The graphics doesn't look anything too special but it the perfect controls for character and camera movement doesn't feel too floaty or too heavy, it actually feels just right.

    Admittedly, The story is rather confusing and doesn't make sense if you're one of those type of gamers who doesn't like collecting journals or collectables since it contains most of the story in the collectables. The protagonist Sebastian is also a rather meh character since he barely has any personality considering some of the craziest stuff he has seen. He barely shows any emotion in any situation he come across and therefore I can't really get a feel for the character especially when the game is a survival horror.

    However I do have one problem with the game and that is the aspect ratio is annoying since it is set in a letter box style (Similar to 16:3 but on a 4:3 TV set) when you're watching an older film on a DVD or Blu-Ray and sadly there isn't an option in game to change it to 16:9. Just that one little feature that is really annoys myself and many HDTV owners.

    Overall, The game is great, good gameplay and rather difficult! Shinji Mikami has proven that survival horror is not dead and I do hope Capcom look up to the Evil Within and their former employee that us gamers want TRUE survival horror experience. Not action, QTE or explosions every 2 minutes.    … Expand
  5. Darkknight88
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    Horror fans shouldn’t let the disappointing story deter them one bit, however. Few Paranormal Activity fans care how these malevolent demons come back again and again – what truly matters is that the audience’s nerves are frayed until they’re raw.
  6. Senses
    Oct 14, 2014
    9
    What is it now a days were everyone's expectations are so high? If people don't feel like a game is GOTY they write a bad review...it's honestly sad for the gaming community. There is no reason this game deserves below a 9. I got this game midnight release and have played 4.5 hours so far and I have to say it was worth every penny.

    Graphics-10 Gameplay-8.5 Characters-8 Story-8.5    What is it now a days were everyone's expectations are so high? If people don't feel like a game is GOTY they write a bad review...it's honestly sad for the gaming community. There is no reason this game deserves below a 9. I got this game midnight release and have played 4.5 hours so far and I have to say it was worth every penny.

    Graphics-10
    Gameplay-8.5
    Characters-8
    Story-8.5
    Thrilling-9.5    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
16
#16 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
17
#17 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Hyper Magazine
    Dec 2, 2014
    80
    Old fashioned in all the right ways (and some wrong ones too). [Issue#255, p.60]
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Dec 2, 2014
    80
    The Evil Within is less genre-defining and is instead more of a spiritual successor - one that relives past glories rather than seeks out new ones. [Issue#118, p.73]
  3. games(TM)
    Nov 17, 2014
    70
    The Evil Within isn’t a return to the genre’s roots or a reinvention, but an exercise in reliving its greatest hits. It’s disappointing that Mikami has lost the wind behind his sails and there seems to be genuine creative apathy here. Nonetheless, The Evil Within is an enjoyable horror romp. It’s a shame it couldn’t be more.
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