The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes (2021) Review
Supermassive Games are learning from their mistakes and taking what works best for their third installment of season one. The Dark Pictures anthology had explored various elements of horror, settling on some good old monsters in House of Ashes. Without further ado, let’s dive in (pun intended) and review! Please beware of spoilers ahead.
Plot
The story is set during the invasion of Iraq and starts with a CIA team who are mid-strategic planning. Eric Knight, the marshal of the operation, believes he has found a route to the biological weapons of their opponents. His estranged wife Rachel, who is having an affair with sergeant Nick Kay, leads said operation. Things go horribly wrong when the squad slips through the cracks quite literally and gets trapped underground. As if that isn’t bad enough, they’re hunted by monsters only vulnerable to sunlight. Too bad there’s none of it in the dungeons.
Overall, the story is definitely the most developed out of all three games. I myself find it a tad too ‘masculine’ for the lack of a better word. While the topic of war is always going to be challenging, the game handles it quite gracefully. The pacing is also well done, the suspense and action scenes are balanced out. The plot twist somehow doesn’t feel corny as it makes sense within the mythology of the feature.
I personally enjoyed the fact that the monsters were actually real, unlike the threats in both Man of Medan and Little Hope. I think it was more because Little Hope’s twist is one of the most hated tropes in the media that people wanted for the story to actually mean something and House of Ashes delivered in that aspect.
Characters
There is a lot of tension between the group from many different perspectives. The love triangle of Eric/Rachel/Nick is nuanced and offers multiple paths for each participant, including but not limited to who Rachel can end up with and Eric/Nick’s dynamic. It does a good job of humanizing these characters because Eric genuinely puts in the effort to try and make things work with Rachel, even if it doesn’t always work.
Jason’s and Salim’s friendship is without a doubt the highlight of the game and probably the best platonic dynamic of the series to date. Two men on opposite sides of the war who form a genuine bond in the face of danger are admirable and definitely elevate the two characters with great emotional impact.
Gameplay
The mechanics are more or less on the same level as Little Hope since Supermassive Games seem to have found a good formula for them and are sticking to it. The usual options of heart vs head during dialogue scenes, smoother walking controls, and character-changing mid-action sequences are even more polished.
Overall, it’s probably the most active game of the series as while it’s still no RPG, there are actually sequences where you need to sweat to hit all the QTEs correctly.
Final thoughts
House of Ashes is without a doubt the best game of the series up until this point. The dialogue is only getting better, the relationships are complex and the action is thrilling. While I would have liked to have another playable female character, considering the setting of the story it makes sense. The installment also offers a fascinating take on vampire mythology with a great plot twist. If I was going to introduce anyone new to this series, I would choose this one to start with.
(4.5 / 5)
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully. (4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
-
Movies n TV1 day agoThriller Nite, Poem by Jennifer Weigel Plus
-
Original Creations4 days ago
The Fire Within – A Chilling Tale of Revenge and Power by Jeff Enos
-
Movies n TV6 days ago
Dexter Original Sin sees Dex’s first date and third kill in The Joy of Killing
-
Book Reviews6 days agoThis Wretched Valley: Body Horror in the Wilderness.
