Amnesia: The Dark Descent

While I didn't find the game scary, I loved the atmospheric horror it provided. Story was great and memorable! I recommend buying on sale!

Fun to replay this game again. It's a classic and still scary after all this time. It's a timeless horror masterpiece.

I spend too much time on this game. Playing custom stories and replaying the story. :/

This game still stands great at 2025.
Graphics and atmosphere greatly complements each other.
Sound and music are near perfect.

Overall. Highly recommended even for modern gamers.

I found out about Atrophysics literally a few days ago coming across theirs (I'm not sure how authors identify themself) music on Spotify by accident, and I was already falling in love with it. Those frosty synths and shy, emotional vocals run through pitch and distortion resonate with my soul - literally like this game.
It's the first game I ever spent money on, to be honest it's way too cheap. I didn't know anything about this game, I just knew I wouldn't regret it, but I didn't expect it to be such a moving experience.
It's not just the sheer aesthetics of an amazingly drawn post-Soviet world bathed in VHS glitches and pervasive emptiness. Nor is it about the poignant soundtrack with which my body goes numb and my soul dissociates. The story, though short, captured my feelings. I felt that perhaps the author was closer to me than I thought, some indescribable thread of shared heritage of loneliness, identity breakdown, philosophical angst and a monstrous lack of strength to swallow the sweetest syrnik.... At a crucial point in the game, I decided to stay as I did when watching “We're all going to the world's fair” sung by Alex G, though I hesitated more than I would have thought. After all, it's just a game - right?....
I just want to say - thank you. For this moving journey. For the works of art. For the hope. Maybe in another incarnation I'll be the one to give you the scarf...

Our good friend Daniel has found himself in quite a pickle! The orb of POWAH, which has the power to destroy (or to create! Who the hell knows!?) has been shattered by ATROCIOUS Alexander! Can you survive the Coniving castle, find the 5 orb pieces and avoid the ravenous monsters? This. Is amnesia.

Playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent in 2025 was an eye-opening experience. Despite its age, it stands tall among modern horror games. The gameplay feels polished, with physics-based interactions that remain impressive. While I’m not the biggest fan of puzzles, the game strikes a great balance. They’re neither too easy nor too hard, and they’re tied to the narrative in ways that make solving them rewarding.

The story is the heart of the game, delivered in a way that’s mysterious and compelling. It kept me curious throughout, as every note and memory revealed critical details. Paying close attention to the story isn’t just enriching, it’s essential. The narrative is layered with meaning, and small decisions can impact the outcome significantly.

While the game isn’t overwhelmingly scary, perhaps due to my higher scare tolerance, the tension is palpable. The NPCs are faster than you, so running is often your only option. This mechanic, coupled with the eerie atmosphere, keeps you on edge. One standout feature is the immediate feedback when solving puzzles, which subtly confirms you’re on the right track without breaking immersion.

It’s funny to think I discovered this classic through PewDiePie years ago. The rich story, creative gameplay, and immersive design make it a must-play, even today. Modern horror games could learn a lot from Amnesia’s creativity and depth.

Rating: 9/10. Playing it in 2025 was absolutely worth the time.

First time playing this game I did it at night and I couldn't sleep for a week.
I replay it, so now and then, and it never fails to give me a uneasy feeling in my stomach when hiding from the monster.
This game is such a classic, and I absolutely recommend playing it just at least once.
Education, you know?

Also, do check out custom maps, there are brilliant, insane and iconic things out there.

This game has aged incredibly poorly in 15 years. I even thought the game was tedious. (I was expecting a game akin to SOMA, which it absolutely is, but was still underwhelmed at first.)

-Moving stuff around to make a pile of trash was still considered a mind-blowing puzzle.
-Almost all monsters are just scripted events; if you go through a door and come back, they disappear.

However, by the 3rd level, it grew on me.
By the end, when the story finally came together, it was glorious.

In the oversaturated, slop-riddled trainwreck that is modern horror gaming, this game to this day stands out like a goddamn diamond in the rough.

One of the scariest games I've ever played. Great atmosphere, sound design, everything. The hard mode was also a great challenge, and it basically refreshed my experience and made it almost as scary as my first playthrough. Justine was also a nice little treat after the main game.

Look I loved this game. I played the collection on the xbox one with 100% no issues, I bought the game on PC years down the line wanting to relive the game again but sadly its impossible due to the constant crashing on certain parts of the game especially towards the end, it must have crashed over 50 times before I manged to complete it. I believe its because the game is so old and something with new PCs wont let it run well I dunno but its unbearable and Im not even gonna be able to play Justine thats how bad it is. They need to show this old game some love and optimize it somehow someway. I want to enjoy it so bad.

Many good things are well presented in this game, but the bad things are also obvious. Amnesia: The Dark Descent is "a puzzle game" with a horror theme; not a horror game with puzzles as a side dish. So, if you are a brain-dead person (like me), you are surely not going to make it through this game without a guide as the game gives you very little direction.

The atmosphere is terrific. The sound and character designs are well done. I really like all the elements of this game. However, bad things still exist. First of all, in this game, when the sanity drops, the screen becomes blurry, causing motion sickness and destroying your eyesight; this is very bad, even an FPS gamer like me can barely tolerate it. Secondly, dying makes the game easier; this is a very bad concept for me. Besides these, it is actually a good game.

This is a pretty classy horror game, also a pretty good introduction to horror games. It's very fair. Hell of a game and extremely detailed for a game back from 2010

Its a game thats very instense if you play it in the spirit it needs to be played in.

If you look too hard at the mechanics though then the curtain eventually gets pulled back and the effect is completely ruined. I did my best to stay in the spirit of the game and it was intense until about halfway through and then I couldn't help but not be scared by it any more.

I think an updated one that has similar mechanics but a more sophisticated AI would be amazing. The sequel was more of a step backwards though.

"Side-note if you own a VR head-set look up Sclerosis" Totally reinstilled that feeling of playing this game for the first time & makes the monster encounters + ambience quite nerve-racking again.

straight-up terrifying.
doesn’t mess around—it’s all about that creeping dread where you’re scared shitless to even take a step. no cheap jump scares here; it’s the sounds, the surroundings, and the fact that you are totally helpless. no weapons, just run for your life or hide like a coward.

the puzzles are alright, but honestly, you’re gonna spend most of your time freaking out about what’s lurking in the dark. the story’s super messed up, fits the whole creepy atmosphere perfectly. if you’re into horror that gets in your head, this is the one. just don’t expect to sleep easy after. 8/10

game of the ages, still holds up, somehow, this metaphorical horse corpse of an artstyle holds wonderful sound design and a story that is downright insane

Amnesia: The Dark Descent may be an older game, but it still holds up as one of the best horror experiences out there. The atmosphere, storytelling, and psychological tension are timeless. The mechanics may feel a bit dated compared to newer titles, but the sense of fear and isolations it creates is still unmatched. If you're a fan of survival horror gor just want to experience a classic, this game is worth playing.


9/10

Excelent enviroments, story telling and gameplay. Classic horror game right here!

The scariest survival horror game I've ever played.

I know this is a much older game that nearly everyone knows, but I still want to leave a glowing recommendation. This is a game that still continues to serve excellently, no matter how many years go by. Today was my first time playing this game, and I actually screamed myself hoarse from the intensity of the suspense and ambiance alone! I can't recommend this game enough, no matter how old you might worry this game is- it DOES hold up!

Unfortunately this isn't for me, even for 83p on a 95% discount. The blur from losing sanity is just not worth my poor eyesight, I've never suffered from motion sickness but I fear that this game would definitely cause some. I don't doubt the game is great and has a riveting story but I'm just not able to sit through while the blur tears through my vision. :(

I was enjoying this game A LOT at first. Great atmosphere, and compelling story. However, once I figured out that "dying" has no consequences, I gave up on finishing. The enemies don't kill you. You just respawn somewhere and then the enemy is gone. If I know I am going in the right direction and there's an enemy in my way, I just run into them and let them kill me, so I can respawn and continue to the next part. Takes the scare completely out of the game when I don't have to actually try not to die.

The settings show only one gpu, I cannot select the one I usually play with. When detecting optimal settings it claims I do not have a gpu. Starting the game it does not use the gpu selected in in the settings but the one I wanted to play with anyways. Which would be a win/win if it would go to fullscreen on my native resolution. Well it kinda does but only 70% of the game is showing on the monitor. So after changing to 1080p I can finally play it.

GG.

This is my favorite game of all time. The story is so interesting and the character designs of the monsters are absolutely wonderful.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a fascinating yet terrifying tale of curses, alchemy, and medieval theming. The atmosphere it creates while you are exploring the castle is amazing; the mechanics of the castle creak and groan while you hear the cries of past victims of what you discover to have happened inside it.

The gameplay is also very cool, managing your light sources along with your sanity makes every action you take seem a lot more impactful as you only have so much light to keep you sane. At the same time, I feel they could've done more with your character losing his sanity, such as warping your perception of the environment more than making you a little woozy.

Some of the puzzles were a little too subtle to me, such that I had to consult a walkthrough multiple times. This isn't a major issue on its own, but it did sometimes take me out of the atmosphere of the game. I also had some issues with the puzzles being really finicky, as in I would complete one but have to reenter the room and redo it because it wasn't registered for one reason for another.

Towards the end of the game is where the plot really picks up, but at this point the lighting system really hindered my experience since I literally couldn't see anything and I wandered about until I stumbled into figuring out where I was and what I needed to do. In the end, the game seemed to finish and I couldn't really tell why what had happened, happened.

Overall, while frustrating at the end, Amnesia was an absolute joy to play through as I found myself genuinely terrified of what it had to offer. A great experience, not even mentioning it's importance in internet history.

I actually jumped in my seat and got goosebumps so many times. Had to call the kids to keep me company as I was to scared to play alone in the dark! Brilliant horror/puzzle game that will keep you entertained and exploring every thing.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Amnesia is a classic among horror games, that offers a deeply atmospheric and immersive experience. The game does a fantastic job of creating an eerie atmosphere and a brooding sense of isolation. The sound design is especially noteworthy — ambient noises, distant whispers, and creaking walls all contribute to an overwhelming sense of dread.

The psychological horror aspect is what really makes this a great game, that stands out. There are no weapons or gadgets, so the game puts a real emphasis on survival over combat and the idea of hiding or avoiding monsters rather than fighting them builds a constant sense of vulnerability, which creates a genuine sense of fear.

The narrative is intriguing and it slowly unravels as you explore. There are plenty of journal entries and hidden details, which adds to the environmental storytelling. It's more about uncovering fragments of a larger truth as you explore, which feels satisfying rather than frustrating. Puzzles are well-integrated into the narrative, and while they can be a bit tricky at times, they add a sense of progression that doesn’t feel out of place.

Amnesia is a brilliantly crafted horror game that balances atmosphere, storytelling, and psychological tension. And if you're a fan of slower, psychological horror that focuses on tension rather than jump scares, it's definitely worth playing.

Me gusta porque me persigue un mounstro en pelotas siempre que me persigue me imagino que me hace el amor bien duro cuando me atrapa y termino soltando semejante chorro de cum y le cae a mi abuela

I came into this game having low expectations especially for it being a title that is already almost 15 years old as I am writing this on the 31st of December, 2024. But I was stunned on how amazing the title really was! Amnesia: The Dark Descent is by far the one of the best horror games of all time. The Atmosphere is the best part about the game, Brennenburg Castle really has a eerie vibe to it and the soundtrack makes it all that more terrifying. The designs of the monsters or also known as the Gatherers are really creepy. Especially the iconic "Grunt" which I am sure you will probably recognize if you take any interest in horror games. The game also offers a really well done narrative I have to say. The game always had my attention to actually figure out with Daniel (The main character) what the story is and having to remember it because well, he has Amnesia hense the game title. And since we are speaking about a horror game. You cannot forget obviously jumpscares and this game does not disappoint! I genuinely got frightened a decent amount of times playing this, goosebumps infact... Mainly due to the amazingly done soundtrack that plays when you get chased in this game. It is a simplistic sound effect that keeps on repeating and getting louder the more you get chased, which had me on the edge of my seat truly. Especially at the first encounter where you can actually get hurt by a monster aka "the Grunt". Since he is more often in the game then the other gatherer called "the Brute". But both are very scary looking do not get me wrong. The level design is very claustrophobic. Now that is a good thing because it makes it much more scarier without having many hiding spots. Hiding maybe for example in a small locker, a corner, or just running for your life! I have to admit one thing though, the puzzles in this game are pretty hard to solve. Especially the last one. I will not spoil it but these puzzles can get pretty hard to solve, they do make sense and they are well done it is just that they are very difficult at times in my opinion, but I have never been too good with puzzles so that is entirely subjective. To summarize "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" it is one of the best narratives, atmospheres, I have ever experienced in a horror game and I highly recommend the game. It is worth every penny and I believe it is a 10/10. Truly amazing.

Incredibly done game with an interesting story line. The Lore is great, and so is the gameplay.

i love this game a lot. maybe nostalgia, but i have played multiple times and gonna play it more times in the future. some puzzles are a bit frustrating and the darkness is challenging enough to make me mad. 9/10 cause i cant keep agrippas head

I appreciate the attention to detail. It's more than running and hiding from spooky scary enemies and solving puzzles.
Even after so many years, still worthy of its praise.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent – A Misstep in the Horror Genre

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is often hailed as a landmark in survival horror, but my experience with the game was far from satisfying. While it has some redeeming qualities, the flaws in its design ultimately overshadow its merits.

Firstly, the story feels more like a missed opportunity than a compelling narrative. The fragmented delivery of plot points through scattered notes and occasional flashbacks makes it hard to stay invested. While the amnesia trope sets up an intriguing premise, the execution is disjointed, leaving little room for emotional engagement or a sense of urgency.

The gameplay, despite its unique approach to horror, becomes repetitive quickly. The mechanic of hiding from enemies rather than fighting them is initially tense but soon grows tedious. Once you realize how predictable the AI is, the fear factor diminishes significantly. The overreliance on fetch quests and environmental puzzles, many of which feel more like padding than meaningful challenges, doesn’t help either.

The much-lauded sanity system feels like a gimmick rather than a core gameplay element. While it adds a layer of complexity, the effects—blurry vision and unsettling sounds—become more annoying than frightening. It ends up feeling like an unnecessary handicap that detracts from the immersion rather than enhancing it.

Graphically, even for a 2010 release, the game looks dated. The environments, though atmospheric at first, become monotonous. The drab and repetitive textures make navigating the castle feel like a chore.

Finally, the scares are overly reliant on jump scares and loud noises. While these may work for some players, they lack the psychological depth necessary to sustain a lasting sense of fear. Once the initial shock wears off, the scares feel cheap and overused.

In conclusion, while Amnesia: The Dark Descent deserves credit for trying to innovate within the horror genre, its shortcomings in narrative, gameplay, and scare design prevent it from being the masterpiece it’s often claimed to be. For those looking for truly engaging and terrifying experiences, there are better options available.

Major Issues!!!
Classic horror game that delivers an amazing atmosphere, immersive music, and challenging puzzles. Despite these strengths, there are some significant issues that nearly ruined my experience. Given that the game was released in 2010, I’m still willing to recommend it, but if it were released today, I would not. Here’s why:

1. Level Design Issues: One major problem is with the level design. There are certain sections, like the Morgue, where solving a puzzle out of order can break the game. If this happens, you end up in a state that the developers didn’t account for. In these cases, you’ll have to search for a solution on YouTube or reload an earlier save to continue, which is very frustrating.

2. Excessive Live Cutscenes: The game has live cutscenes (flashbacks) that are intended to add to the story, but they occur too frequently. At times, you can go from one room to another and trigger a cutscene, which disrupts the atmosphere and breaks the immersion.

3. Weak Monster AI: The monsters in the game are quite unintelligent, making them easy to escape from or hide from. This takes away from the tension and fear that the game should create.

Unfortunately, these issues have not been addressed over the years, and they can easily ruin the experience for players. Despite its flaws, Amnesia: The Dark Descent still offers a memorable horror experience, but I would advise caution if you’re sensitive to these problems.

Hmmm, still trying to figure out my feelings on this game. Not sure why it gets such high praise and reviews. I guess it's just not my style. While there were a few good jumpscares and creepy moments, I never would have gotten to the end without a walkthrough guiding me. After Act II the story starts coming together more and the "action/intrigue" is much better. I'm glad I played it through (chose the survival ending) and got to experience it myself, but that's it. A classic you can skip.

IF you want to expeirence real terror in actuality. Get this game. I have hiked in the woods multiple times. I'm a hiker. and being alone, I can and will compare the sanity level to this game all the time.

The physics in this game and the way you interact with the environment are totally bonkers. Being able to carry around something random, like a house plant or a broom, as your comfort object, or to open a door just slightly to peek through the doorway, creates this sense of being actually present in the game world. The physics-based puzzles also feel very satisfying to figure out. If the game gets too scary, messing around with the physics might give you just enough respite to carry on. And at times it does get pretty scary if you allow it to deliver that premium spook atmosphere.

Although it supports a gamepad, my experience with the DualSense was a disappointment. The game requires pinpoint precision to pick up essential items and attempting that with thumbsticks is just too cumbersome. However, the mouse and keyboard controls are very nice and smooth.

There are some technical issues, the game is 15 years old after all, but still, it does very well in every aspect of the gameplay. That is an easy full-price recommendation. With the discount, it's practically a steal.

as an old horror game, it is really good, the puzzles, the way that we have to survive, everything make you curious to continue

its funny how much safer you feel carrying a random object with you. I made a special connection with a broom, felt like it kept me safe.

floaty man told me NOT to throw head into portal but I did it anyways. He then cried about it and exploded from the Upside Down from Stranger Things

An absolute masterpiece. I've always found the amnesia games a different type of horror game because they create fear with jump scares but also show you the amazing backstories of why the games are called "amnesia." The amnesia games are a wonderful horror series that allows you to experience the madness. As you play through the dark descent you will realize that you are not only proceeding further into the castle but also further into the madness Daniel experiences. I highly recommend this amnesia game to anybody looking to get into the series or if you are just looking for a good horror game.

This is a wonderful game if you are looking for a classic horror story. The ambiance, music, and premise makes for a great story to play out.

It was spooky to watch people play it on YouTube years ago, and it's even spookier to play yourself!

My favourite horror game atm. Chilling atmosphere, great storyline, well puzzled. 10/10

I've tried to play this multiple times and given up after getting repeatedly lost. Maybe one day I'll try again but it just wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention.

A classic and novelty of its time, Amnesia offers a remarkable experience that holds to this day (2024). Having played it through several times and tried out the custom stories, I can highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good story and a proper feeling of terror. This isn't about shooting or jump scares - this is about true horror experienced slowly, deeply, for the enjoyment of connoisseurs of sublimity and romanticism.

Probably one of the best horror games of all time. I finished this game not too long ago and can safely say that it is a stellar experience! The game's atmosphere combined with the puzzles and story really scratches that horror itch that I've been having. Even though it is very different in many ways, this game reminds me of one of my favourite horror games, Outlast. The chase sequences are probably the most nerver wracking. And if you do decide to buy this game, be warned! It will make the hairs on your neck stand upright!

100% percent recommended, buy it now!!!!

fahking barrels, allways the goddamn barrels i get killed because of them. stupid barrels, they betrayed me they blew my cover... I HATE BARRELS!. the game itself is perfect lol go buy now

Hasta el momento es el juego de terror que más incómodo me ha hecho sentir, su atmósfera es extremadamente opresiva, los sonidos ambientales y los sonidos de gamplays son excelentes, me encanta que no expongan demasiado a los enemigos, porque cuando aparecen demasiado se vuelven aburridos, pero aquí aparecen lo justo y necesario. Este juego es excelente, se lo recomiendo a cualquier amante de los juegos de terror, porque es de los mejores que he jugado.