Made right to be done right!
Amnesia – The Dark Descent takes place in the 18th Century within an old castle called Brennenburg. As you progress you uncover a very dark story line that allows you to gradually understand why the main character chose to lose his memory to amnesia. The story is done very well and is the type that makes you curious for more. Along the way you have to survive both the darkness and what's in it. You will also have to solve brainteasers in order to progress. However, they are the types that make you think and are not impossible to decipher.
I've played titles such as the original Silent Hill and Resident Evil 1-3 on the Playstation, Doom, Doom Resurrection of Evil, Resident Evil 4, FEAR, FEAR Extraction Point, FEAR Perseus Mandate, FEAR 2, FEAR 2 Reborn, AvsP 2, AvsP 2 Primal Hunt, AvP 2010 and Dead Space all on the PC. Amnesia – The Dark Descent was the only title that gave me a true taste of the survival horror experience of lasting intensity, compared to the brief scares of the other franchises. This was the only game I played again immediately after I finished it.
I have to let you know that in all my games I turn the in-game music off because I prefer to hear the game world effects instead. With ATDD you can't do that! The atmospheric music along with the sound effects, ambient noise, events, growls and screams throw you into a unique Gothic horror movie experience. No spoilers, but there was a moment when I felt a little silly afterwards because I had found myself leaning a great deal towards my monitor as if to gain more momentum for the full run I was in in-game trying to escape! My heart was beating faster and I thought that this is what a survival horror is about and that's surviving the horror! No blaze of glory for you gun toting maniacs out there, myself included. Using your wits and the speed of your feet is what keeps you alive here.
Sometimes you feel like a little b***h, but it's a great change from mowing everything down with a 30 mm gatling gun like most survival horror games nowadays.
The game itself isn't huge by any means; however, I believe the developers wanted players to take their time hiding and exploring. 8-12 hours approx. the first time you play unless you're the type that runs head first into everything and anything.
The graphics are by no means spectacular, but are done well enough to obtain an eighteenth century feel. I had the highest graphic settings on and load times were periodically noticeable, but liveable. (2.2 Dual Core)
The sound and music were done very well by really capturing the settings, pace and moods within the game. The voice acting has thick English accents, but subtitles are also available for those who may not pick up what's being said.
The physics engine is probably the cleanest I've encountered within these types of games and is quite responsive.
The story is unique, imaginative and very dark with three possible endings depending on, of course, what you decide to do. You are by no means required to follow the story line by NOT picking up the diaries scattered throughout, but they do allow you to understand the story better. The replay value is questionable with the only real award is to try to beat it faster the second time around. However, there is a feature that allows you to develop your own levels, but only if your into that sort of thing.
Overall, Amnesia the Dark Descent is an enjoyable title with a refreshing twist on the survival horror genre. But as stated the re-playability is limited, but is at least worth the 20 bucks just so as long you enjoy this type of experience. Other than that: Good job Frictional Games!