Amnesia: The Dark Descent

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.

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.

A classic of a the genre and a masterpiece. That it's based on H.P. Lovecraft is a plus.
Everything works: The atmosphere, story, sound design and effects, graphics and the scare factor.
Play it without a guide or anything else of the sort for the first time.

I will say that it isn't perfect. It's a bit of a glorified walking sim, there aren't enough puzzles between and they are on the easier side. You will also wise up the game tricks eventually. Check out hard mode for a truly terrifying and difficult experience.

One of the scariest games of all time!
The atmosphere, background noises, and monsters are always gets your adrenaline pumping for sure!
If you haven't played this games yet then what are you doing when it comes to playing horror games? This is an absolute treasure!

Stealthy horror game. While the horror is a step up from Penumbra I think the puzzles and the interactivity is a lot worse in general. My biggest gripe is that so many of the monster encounters are resolved by just sitting in a corner for a few seconds until the enemy despawns.

this may be the worst game ive ever played. i hate this game so much that words cant describe it. i spent a dollar on it and i will never touch it again. i wouldnt touch this game with a ten foot pole. get it away from me

I'm not a fan of these pacifist escape room walking simulator horror games. This type of horror really isn't my taste. I'm more of the evil within, resident evil, silent hill, and dead space type. If you're like me, don't waste your time investing into this game because you will be bored. Amnesia is built for a specific crowd in the horror genre. I'm not apart of that crowd, and I'm not going to force myself to try to be.

What an incredible experience... The story, the horror and brutality, even the somewhat dated graphics seem to add to the sense of eeriness, of being a stranger in a castle that seems to hate you. The Dark Descent managed to strike a perfect balance between being scary and being entertaining, which (in my opinion) not many horror games manage to achieve. I recommend that you go into this game as blind as possible, just figure it out yourself. It is easily one of my favorite games I've ever played.

perfect balance between horror, puzzle, survival.

One of my favorite atmospheric horror games. This game is slower paced, not for everybody, but it really delivers to those who immerse themselves in the game.

One of my all time favorite games due to its charm and story. if I were to make a proper review of the things I liked, I'd write my own damn bible- Unfortunately, my keys would give out halfway.

Absolutely terrifying and oozing with ambiance.

Strongly regret not getting this game sooner, it's still an incredibly spooky and immersive experience 14 years later.

An all time classic horror game that is still thoroughly frightening well over a decade after it's initial release. The incredibly detailed audiovisual design in this game creates a consistently immersive and harrowing experience. The bone chilling macabre soundtrack is mostly composed of haunting ambient noises and constantly chips away at your nerve throughout the whole game which means you always feel on edge.

The level design and environments are surprisingly varied for a survival horror game. The game takes place in an enormous gothic castle with many different segments. Some areas feel intensely claustrophobic and force you down narrow corridors while making you continuously fearful of what might be around the next corner. Others feel impossibly massive and drown you in huge amounts of eerily empty liminal space. There are even some light platforming puzzles in a few areas.

However, what all of these different levels have in common is that they instill a deep sense of isolation and dread within the player. Most places in the game are extremely dark and can only be dimly lit by certain items that the player has access to (such as tinderboxes and lanterns). However, light can be a double edged sword in this game due to the monsters and the infamous sanity mechanic.

The monsters are attracted to the light and if the player looks at the monsters then their "sanity" will lower which can cause horrifying hallucinations and even death if it gets too low. What makes the sanity mechanic even more dangerous is that the player's sanity will also lower if they remain in total darkness for too long.

This forces the player into a delicate balancing act of trying not to spend too much time in dark areas but also not lingering in areas that are too bright lest they attract unwanted attention. Moreover, the player not being able to directly look at the monsters plays on the fear of the unknown and what you don't see which greatly amplifies the terror. The combination of all of these game mechanics working together creates an extremely suspenseful and daunting environment in which the player never feels safe no matter where they are.

The story of Amnesia is also worth mentioning for being a masterclass in creating a gripping mystery that is gradually revealed to the player through gameplay in ways that feel organic. The story is clearly heavily inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft and contains some very disturbing lore that the player can uncover through various handwritten notes and documents strewn about the castle.

Overall, this game still definitely holds up as an unforgettable survival horror experience. I can confidently say it's scarier than most horror games on the market today. In addition, the story has many complex themes and ideas that are well beyond most games in this genre. If you have even a passing interest in the horror genre then I would reccomend that you give this game a try. You won't be dissapointed.

the spooky factor is a little wasted on me but mechanically this game is freaking awesome and the atmosphere is just a notch above any horror game ive ever played

It's been over a decade since I first played this game.
To see how well it aged, I decided to get it here on Steam.

Oh boy, it's just as terrifying as the first time, even tho I already have an idea of when some of the scares are gonna pop up
It's the first run-and-hide horror game I ever played, and so far, it's still the best!
I wish new horror players wouldn't overlook this game, it's way better than Outlast imo.

This is a classic for a reasons. So good, so much deeply unsettling things happening in this house. Rare case where the written horror (best in class btw) surpasses the jumpscares.

One of the scariest games I have ever played. The game may be fairly old, but the atmosphere is still chilling. I think it gets less frightening as it goes along, and some puzzles are quite difficult but still achievable. 8.5/10

I played about 8-9 months ago, since then I got really bussy w/ school and never got around to finishing or even geting past the intro of the game but now that I started a new save I can say that its atmosphere and the game in general is designed to give you an immersive experience overall and I would seriously recomend it to anyone who is looking for a more classic style horror game, it can be a bit janky sometimes (maybe its just my computer, IDK, I use a laptop because... school) but other than that really fun and most importantly terrifying.

One random great thing worth mentioning: Opening a drawer physically and the tinderbox rolls from the back to the front. A lot of physical prop manipulation to open or turn things.

One random bad thing: You might get your first jump scare by just touching some fleshy walls.

This is one of the definitive psychological horror games ever made and in my opinion has yet to be topped. Frictional Games unintentionally started an entire Youtube genre that every single one of us has interacted with when they made this game: Let's Plays, and that alone should be an award. At first glance without seeing much of this game, it might seem like a walking simulator with moody graphics that mainly focuses on puzzles with horror elements thrown in, maybe something your mom would play, but it's so much more. This game is different from others in the genre not only because it popularized the psychological horror genre, but because it changes the name of the game from cat and mouse with big scares then a relief that is so prevalent with the copy paste clones of today, to constant and unrelenting anxiety which never let's up. This game will lie to you and toy with you, it won't let you breathe for longer than a few minutes before throwing you into the deep end where you HAVE to progress while in close proximity to danger. You will not get your hand held here, you have to keep moving even if you're too afraid to move. One of the most ingenious ideas is the sanity system and how it never lets you rest. If you thought that you could sneak around in the darkness and avoid anything that comes your way, you'd be sorely mistaken as Daniel has a crippling fear of the dark and if you stay outside of the light for too long then you will have far worse problems on your hands. The gatherers have one of the most iconic designs of any monster in gaming, maybe even in pop culture as a whole, but it's ingenious with how it barely lets you get a good look at them. Amazing game that froze me in fear when I was a child watching PewDiePie on his original channel, every year on Halloween I try to remuster the courage to play through once again.