Picture what the past two Frictional games, SOMA and Dark Descent, have done for horror. A great atmosphere, gripping characters, and a purpose that kept you pushing your way through the terror toward the end. This game has none of those. 1) The Atmosphere: You're teleported around so there's no chance to feel the ambience and looming dread. The maps are also very linear so you're never worried about getting lost nor scared looking around the corner. Using matches as a source of light was a terrible decision because they go out very quickly so you make almost no progress before having to stumble around again. If there were any chances to feel scared they're interrupted by the main character talking to herself for no reason or random flashbacks. They also give you an item at the start that points to where you have to go next, so it's borderline an 'on-rails' game. 2) Characters: You find the one person you're supposed to care about (besides the main character) dead within the first 20 minutes so your motivation to continue falls off a cliff in the beginning of the game. Though there's not enough build up to care about him at all. They rely on sympathy for the main character to keep you going but there's no reason to feel anything for her because they not only use a very boring trope but one that does not make sense given the scenario you're in. None of her dialogue makes up for this; it's just pining for a husband and child we have no reason to emotionally connect with. 3) Story: If you want some lore behind the Dark Descent, you'll have to trudge through a very boring couple hours to get there. And after that you might as well stop the game because nothing else is rewarding (unless you like puzzles for the sake of solving puzzles). It's almost as though an outside corporation funded this game and did the usual iron-fisted, agenda-pushing 'management' bureaucrats do simply because it's their money that's involved. Save your money, skip this game
