

The game engine pulls off the darkness and light mechanic perfectly. Remaining in a dark area for too long will unravel the tattered fabric of Daniel’s sanity – and players will soon learn that Daniel’s sanity was on the ragged edge before this adventure began. One of the key gameplay mechanics becomes immediately apparent – Daniel is terrified of dark places. The purpose of advancing the story and uncovering the mystery surrounding the castle and the inhabitants Daniel is yet to encounter. Of course, I would be doing readers a disservice by revealing any more detail.Īmnesia is highly story driven, and a good portion of the gamer’s exploration will be with Immediately the game begins to toy with perceptions, giving a small taste of the nerve wracking experience ahead. Needless to say, Daniel is on his own here.ĭaniel struggles to his feet, clearly suffering from amnesia – he takes in the haunting surroundings – the only detail he can remember is his own name.

The story transpires during the late 19th century, and begins with protagonist Daniel awakening on the floor of Brennenburg Castle, which is isolated amongst the northern forests of Prussia.

It doesn’t rely on elaborate set-pieces and in-your-face action, nor does it need them. Cynical gamers and tough guys need not apply – you best be willing to turn the light off, use the recommended gamma settings, and crank up the surround sound to fully enjoy this title.Īmnesia thoroughly works the two-way relationship between player imagination and developer intentions. Of course, in order to make any of this work, the viewer, reader, or gamer, is asked to suspend their disbelief, and allow themselves to be immersed in the horrific world.Īmnesia: The Dark Descent hits all these key notes and if you allow your imagination to run free, it will require nerves of steel and intestinal fortitude to complete. Be it film, book, or video game, the protagonist is thrown into a strange environment and struggles to overcome the odds presented by a very real yet ambiguous threat or enemy. A core characteristic of the psychological horror genre is disempowerment.
