Amnesia: The Dark Descent

very fun but scary game my only problem is most of the time youre just waliking

I have no idea how I got this 19 hours from, I have no memory of beating the game seeing how my latest play through I can't remember a single solution yet I have achievements for all the ending.

Maybe it was my amnesia afterall.

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Joke aside, this is a good horror game considering what kind of tech limitation was back then.

I went into Amnesia: The Dark Descent almost completely blind. The only exposure I had was a few clips from PewDiePie back in the day, but even those were just vague memories. Growing up, I played Outlast and back then there was a bit of a debate about which game was scarier. Since I liked Outlast quite a bit, I was looking forward to playing this one as well. Now that I’ve played both, I can see the inspiration Outlast took from Amnesia. However, I still think these games are so fundamentally different that I wouldn’t bother comparing them any further.

All you need to know is that I had high expectations for Amnesia. People described it as terrifying and groundbreaking. Given that it was developed by a small studio in 2006, I can completely understand why it was considered revolutionary at the time. Even now, I still appreciate a lot of the elements it introduced to the horror genre.

There’s just one problem: this game is not scary at all. I never truly felt shocked or surprised by an enemy. And to me, that’s a major issue when judging a psychological horror game.

That brings me to my second problem with the game: the puzzles, or whatever you want to call them. I generally love puzzle-based games, with Resident Evil, Zelda, and Professor Layton being some of my favorites. So, no, I don’t hate puzzles. What I do hate, however, are poorly structured puzzles that force me to guess what to do.

Not every puzzle in Amnesia was like this, but most of them were. There were moments where items wouldn’t work simply because I clicked two centimeters away from the intended spot. The vehicle-turning mechanic was frustratingly unresponsive at times. The worst part? The game didn’t always stop you from progressing if you missed a key item. Maybe this is just not my type of puzzle game.

Not everything was horrible of course. I liked the atmosphere and still appreciate the graphics even 15 years later. The item and health system was great as well. I have mixed feelings about the story. I liked some parts of it but thought the ending was kind of anticlimactic.

In the end, while I can appreciate Amnesia: The Dark Descent for what it did for the horror genre back in the day, it just didn’t work for me. The atmosphere was great, but the lack of actual scares and the frustrating puzzle mechanics made it more of a chore than an enjoyable experience. I honestly think I would have had a much better time watching a playthrough rather than playing it myself.

Classic horror game, very scary. I can see how it's a huge inspiration for games like Outlast

I can appreciate Descent being the first of its kind, but its many successors far outshine it in gameplay and story. I instead recommend playing these successors (Alien Isolation, SOMA, The Bunker). If you wish to go back to the roots of the genre with this game, I can't stop you, but in my experience, it isn't worth it.

2.5/5

A classic!

While it doesn't hold up great, its still a great introductory survival horror game that is quite accessible on modern hardware and can serve well as an entry point into the genre.

I would highly recommend this game as an icon of what started this style of horror (especially indie horror). The story is also pretty good.

Very good and still keeps up to this day, like to introduce it to anyone new to the horror gaming experience :)

amazing game, first amnesia I've ever played and definitely made it into my top 5 for horror games

Что ж, смею заявить игра не зря считается заслуженной классикой. Даже в 2025 может быть интересной и страшной. Определённо советую поиграть, если ещё не пробовали. Особенно сейчас, во время весенней распродажи

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a horror classic. This game is SCARY! The build-up is insane. The themes and story telling are riveting. I will admit this game is confusing at times. That goes for the story and the game play. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten to branching pathways so many times. I was always afraid of missing something. You will feel lost. But just keep playing. Everything will come together. The puzzles can be very difficult and spread out. Which can be annoying. But honestly in retrospect, it just makes the game feel more open and up scaled. This game paved the way for future games. THIS GAME IS A MUST PLAY!

The low time is because I beat this game on Nintendo switch but I bought the frictional games collection on steam.

Be warned emence glaze

This has to be one of the best games I've ever played it's just smacks so hard in everything. The sound design, the mechanics, the gameplay, the story, the monsters, and beat of all the atmosphere. This game is not the scariest thing ever but it's still scary and I probably one of the best gateways into the horror genere. Frictional really cooked with this games. This games is super imerserve and the atmosphere and theme is all just so amazing. This is coming from someone who beat this entire game on a roadtrip with one earbud in and I still enjoyed this game so much if you haven't played it id recommend you do or give it a try if you wanna get into horror games

Amnesia The Dark Descent is a modern masterpiece of psychological horror. I was refused to even touch this game for years, 'cause the idea of me playing it just scared me too much.

When i finally played it, it didn't really come as a surprise how uneasy it made me feel. The atmosphere is really oppressive throughout the whole game and the overall mood is really distressing.

Now, after few playthroughs later, Amnesia: The Dark Descent still makes me feel anxious every time i play it, something that has never happened to me with any other horror game ever. It's truly a masterfully crafted piece of horror game history.

An amazingly told story and riveting gameplay, despite the character being unable to fend for themself physically. Run, sneak and battle with wit to get out of harms way and find out what has happened to you and why you've got amnesia.

Played it last year. I really liked it, it was interesting and scary. However the last part of the game is a bit annoying and not that scary, however the game overall is a classic and worth to play.

Unique experience from the era. A true gem of a game, yet so simple to play, it is one of the best Horror game ever made with one of the best soundtrack of the genre!

My favourite horror game of all time, no doubt. Holds up even to this day. Perfect atmosphere, not too many cheap jump scares, great pacing, and great build up, 10/10 near perfect horror game.

One of the most influential horror games, Amnesia: The Dark Descent is still worth playing even after all these years.

The horror here isn't reliant on cheap jumpscares; it's about building a tense atmosphere through the story, unnerving visuals, and sound design. The persistent feeling that danger is nearby keeps you on edge most of the time. It's a shame that there are only a few types of enemies, especially considering that the ones present look great.

If you've played previous games from Frictional Games, you'll notice many similarities. In fact, I think Amnesia is only a few steps ahead of Penumbra. It shows that if you have a solid game, you don’t need many changes to create something that people will remember for decades.

Amnesia: Justine is a bonus DLC story that offers a more concentrated experience of the main game and is also worth a try. However, I wasn't a fan of the no saves possible mechanic (and I still can't make sense of the second puzzle, but that’s probably on me).

Amazing even after all these years. Mechanics still fun and sound effects are amazing. However, i got it for 2,50 and the original price is like 20 dollars. I think its a bit pricey regarding the age of the game, but 10-15 dollars would make it worth every penny and a must have for horror games, especially for 2,50

At the beginning i loved how the game slowly revealed its horrors without showing too much of the monsters and always made me guessing if i was seeing things or it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. The way the devs made the darkness and light both an ally and a friend was really cool. I loved the atmosphere, they truly captured the vibe of an old creepy castle, the sound design was excellent and the creatures roaming it were truly disturbing.

Unfortunately i didn't enjoy the gameplay that much, it's way too linear and most of the puzzles were not that interesting. Also the way monsters just spawn and despawn from levels while you are not looking or if they kill you one or two times kinda took me out of the experience. And then there is the story, which i really enjoyed, until the ending that felt really anticlimactic.

6/10 - Now go kill Alexander and stop looking at silly ratings!!!

I consider Amnesia Dark Descent strongest feature to be its strong atmosphere, with clever use of lighting and shadow, which are also tied to the gameplay. Inside a deprecated, decaying castle which was partially renovated turn it into a mansion for it's owner, a claustrophobic and sometimes maze-like environment that combined with the soundtrack, and high quality sound effects provides a strong sense of tension, the game puts in the work to provide a specific emotional reaction from the player, keeping pace in mind as it balances moments of tension with the moments where things can ease, then it builds up it's tension again. Regardless if they achieve "horror" for a particular player or not, the effort to execute it and maintaining engagement is clearly there and can be appreciated

The story, starts at a blank slate with only your name as a baseline, the story progresses using notes, flashbacks and environmental storytelling to tell it's narrative, slowly revealing why the game begins the way it does, in what concludes as a very solid story, with deep understandable characters. It's a bleak tale that takes advantage of it's method of storytelling to establish and explore its mystery as you piece together the events on your own

The actual gameplay mechanics are built toward maximizing the game's atmosphere. At a base you can run, crouch, interact with objects by holding them in the air and throwing it, and you have an inventory to carry certain predetermined objects, with these you will solve puzzles, do some light platforming, manage your health with healing items and keeping your sanity in check, your sanity starts at it's maximum but staying in the dark and experiencing scary things will lower it, meanwhile progressing through the game with things like solving puzzles will replenish it, and staying in the light will replenish it slowly, the lower your sanity weird you may see insects crawling, weird noises and your character can get harder to control, and when it reaches zero you will fall on the ground and alert the enemies in the area; to keep in check, the map has strategically placed light sources, some are already lit while the other need to be lit with a resource you can find in the level, there's also oil which can also be found is used on your lantern, a mobile source of light but limited in duration, the game gives you the tools and lets you figure out and make decisions of when you should use these resources. Looking at the enemies of the game can also lower or sanity and can actually get you caught if you look at them for too long, which means your primary force to counter it is to hide and avoiding looking at it or running away if you get caught, which engages you to a particular playstyle that has similarities to how movies hides their monsters, to keep the horror in your imagination to some extent rather than just showing it, but using the interactivity of video games by adding player choice on top of it, so you end up only catching glimpses of how they look like which adds to the atmosphere and danger of those creatures.

The game can be a bit buggy, by far the worst one i had on this playthrough was getting stuck inside a room because an enemy was keeping it shut and not losing aggro and i had to re do the entire section, also had a couple of UI problems, like the mission progression filter appearing when opening the inventory

I personally believe that SOMA is Frictional's best game, but Amnesia is really good, it sets out to provide a specific type of experience and executes it in a very engaging manner, arguably a must-play for any horror game fans

almost 15 years old but somehow better than every recent AAA game

Alright, listen—Amnesia: The Dark Descent? This game is… this game is… ah, Christ, where the hell am I?

You wake up in some big, creepy house, no clue how you got there, everything’s foggy—feels like the time I took too many of those little blue pills at Bobby’s barbecue. You start walking around, trying to piece things together, but the more you remember, the worse it gets. Just like my doctor says about my brain—"Junior, some things are better left forgotten."

And the shadows? They watch you. I swear to God, I saw something in the corner of my eye—big, ugly son of a bitch, looked like Livia after a bad perm. Tried to run, but my knees ain't what they used to be. Turns out, running ain't even an option—you hide, you crawl, you pray. I did that just last week when Tony came knocking about some money I "forgot" I owed him.

The game? It’s a masterpiece. But me? I ain't playing no more. Too close to home. Last time I got this scared, I was in the middle of Costco and couldn’t remember where I parked.

10/10. Terrifying. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go lie down… as soon as I figure out where the hell my bedroom is.

For a game that's old, it is still gold. It is by far one of the scariest horror games I have ever played.

Old but gold. The original Amnesia is fantastic compared to its sequels in my opinion. "The Bunker" was pretty good too.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a masterclass in psychological horror, plunging players into a nightmarish world of darkness and madness. You awaken with no memory in a creepy, abandoned castle, and the only goal is to survive while unraveling the twisted secrets of your past. The game’s eerie atmosphere is enhanced by its brilliant use of sound and lighting, making every creak and shadow feel like an impending threat. The emphasis on stealth and puzzle-solving over combat adds to the tension, as you're forced to hide from horrifying monsters rather than fight them. If you're looking for a deeply immersive and spine-chilling experience, The Dark Descent will leave you questioning what's real and what's just in your mind.

I played this game on Hard Mode, I have never been more scared or stressed out playing a game in my life, even though I was stressed all of the time, it was very fun. The story is fantastic and the gatherers are traumatically terrifying but I had a great time playing this.

I'm a fan of Frictional's work, but this game has the same problem that a lot of PC games from the late 90s to the early 2010s have in that they are no longer supported. Similar to a game like Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, this game simply was not made for hardware that exists today. In trying to play The Dark Descent, my aspect ratio cannot be set properly; the game either stretches past my screen or is shrunk too small (even when set to my screens resolution). I recommend watching a longplay video on YouTube for The Dark Descent and buying Amnesia: The Bunker :)

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!

The Cold-blooded experience that will surely horrify you to the very bones... So grab your lantern and buckle up your sanity. This is gonna be gory...

This was a second attempt. This time I brought along a walkthrough guide from GamesRadar. I like to do my own exploring, but the guide helped me find the bits I'd missed and offered strategy. It's much more satisfying. I have the commentary turned on. Some of it is hard to understand, but the gist of it is of interest.

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. :/

One of the pillar stones of all horror games. Absolute must-play, and even outside the main story the amount of custom stories made for this game could probably keep you busy for hundreds of hours, probably even more than that.

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.

The Dark Descent was one of the first horror games I played on Steam, and is one game that I was very looking forward to playing and it did not disappoint. Can't say much about this game that hasn't been already said. So to put it simply, A solid 9/10, had me at the edge of my seat in a lot of moments.

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!