The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes Review

Wes Craven, Alfred Hitchcock and John Carpenter are synonymous with horror genre. The conventions established in their films have infiltrated in countless others, helping to lay the foundations for modern examples. Since 2015, Supermassive Games has been successfully merging the mediums, creating interactive horrors inspired by dark history and demented of its kind. Every exit from The Dark Pictures Anthology has been unique, exploring different psychological fears to tell an immersive and original story. After the Nautical Thriller of Man of Medan and the Sorcery Epic of Little Hope, the series aims to explore new horizons with House of Ashes.

Differentiating from previous franchise entries, House of Ashes leaves the confines of America for the Middle East. Located during the war in Iraq in 2003, you control several soldiers who are responsible for finding the chemical research center in Saddam. During a mission, things go wrong, leading to a shooting. While the bullets fly in all directions, the soil begins to tremble, ending up break through and engulf from the soldiers on each side. Dazed and confused, the protagonists find themselves in the middle of a lost Mesopotamian temple that houses a pack of demonic creatures.

Supermassive Games has designed an expert an environment that embellishes the enormity of Mesopotamian structures while taking claustrophobic corridors to create a feeling of overwhelming discomfort. Each zone is cut with shadows adding a constant feeling of threat that requires you to question the safety of the way to go. The feeling of purulent uncertainty is accentuated by the incredible use of cinematography by the game. The plans look from behind old artificial structures creating moments of terror. The Alien DNA of Ridley Scott and Predator of John McTernan is evident in the game with camera angles and sequences that pay tribute to conventional monster films. The tracking sequences rocked between the main characters of panic and the point of view of medicine monstrosities in cinematographic segments causing sweat.

The protagonists are much more comprehensive than previous versions, offering interesting stories. As they still rely heavily on the stereotypes presented in the war-based media, Supermassive Games tried to attach to the drama of real life to humanize the characters. A sub-story focuses on a love triangle that offers moral dilemmas while another explores the reticient soldier who is forced to a life of combat to support his family. The antagonist, however, is probably the most important figure of horror and that s where the game excels. While the tropics of monster films persist, the thirsty blood creatures are masterfully implemented. Sudden movements and closer plans of their greenhouses help create the suspense. A small rattling that can be heard resonates in the caves, acts as a permanent reminder of your fragile position. The mystery surrounding the beast is accentuated because of the types and angles of shooting of the extracts they are on the screen. Although the rhythm and atmosphere are brilliant throughout, the last third of the story can not deliver, which is disappointing.

The Trilogy Dark Pictures gives you the opportunity to shape the story by allowing you to decide on the life and fate of the characters. Throughout, you will need to decide how people react to each other by changing their relationship. Dialogue choices have an impact on the story with specific decisions with repercussions. The visit of the pause menu will give you a breakdown of how your interactions affect others. This gives a great incentive to replay the story to see how you can change the story.

Pivots are often accompanied by fast events. Due to the House of Ashes war framework, these are more frequent and dynamic than its predecessors. The failure of these segments can change the path of history, but not necessarily for the worst. For this reason, you will need to quickly review each action because their consequences can have a lasting effect. If you have trouble with QTE, do not worry, the novelty of franchise is the ability to change the difficulty. With three options available, you can customize your experience more.

Supermassive Games decided to drop the static camera and give you total control. Although this facilitates the exploration, the angle of intimate camera, combined with narrow corridors, makes these moments a little clumsy. In the investigation, you will discover letters, newspaper entrances and more who give an overview of the origins of creatures and the region in which they live. This helps build a wider image of old civilization and the history of archaeologists who visited the temple. Particular elements will give a premonition on possible events. These indices point to a way out for one of the protagonists. With this knowledge, you can try to change the events to avoid fatal conclusion, however, it s easier than to do.

Traditionally a solo experience, Supermassive Games has put in place items so that you can play with others. You are encouraged to share locally or online fears. In multiplayer, you will approach the scenarios from another point of view, expanding the story. If you prefer to stick to the solo courses, you will unlock the curator s cup after your first experience, which includes all extras.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is a unique tale of Supermassive Games crypt. The intriguing premise and the methodical pace contribute to creating an overwhelming feeling of apprehension, making you ask for what hides in the myriad of shadows that breathe. Although the last third lacks on the ambition and ingenuity of its first segments, it is another excellent example and celebration of the kind of horror.

A PlayStation 5 game code provided by the publisher