Review of The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me

Contents:

• A Legend Come True
• Inspiration
• Castle and First Look at Key Characters
• New Gameplay Solutions
• Duration

The Devil In Me, the fourth episode of The Dark Pictures Anthology, which concludes the first season of the interactive series, will be released on PC and consoles on November 18th. In this article, the editorial team of Gamedev at Skillbox Media highlights the game's key features. The Devil In Me offers players a unique experience, combining elements of horror and interactive storytelling. Explore atmospheric locations, make important decisions, and interact with characters that will determine the course of the plot. The game also features new mechanics that deepen the immersion into a world of fear and tension, making every choice crucial. Don't miss the opportunity to find out how the first season of this gripping anthology ends.

A Legend Come True

The phrase "I was born with the devil in my soul" originates from the 19th-century American serial killer Henry Howard Holmes and became famous thanks to his speech at his trial. Holmes, considered one of the first serial killers in the United States, used this quote to emphasize his dark nature and predilection for evil. His actions and personality have generated considerable interest and have become the subject of much research and discussion in the fields of criminology and psychology. Importantly, this phrase not only reflects his inner demons but also anticipates themes related to the nature of evil and moral responsibility. Research into Holmes's life reveals important insights into psychopathology and the social environment in which such personalities are formed.

Holmes is remembered in history as the creator of a hotel known as "Murder Castle." According to various sources, up to 200 people may have been murdered in this building. It housed numerous hiding places, gas chambers, and a crematorium in the basement. In their new game, Supermassive Games recreated the atmosphere of Holmes's "Castle," populating it with unsuspecting people.

This time, our focus is on the film crew at Lonnit Entertainment. This company specializes in producing documentaries, but in recent years, its business has been struggling due to increasing competition in the industry. Amidst the growing competition for audience attention, Lonnit Entertainment faces challenges that require innovative approaches and creative solutions to regain its market position.

These bleak prospects are dispelled by a call from a mysterious man named Grantham Dumet. He offers to visit a hotel built in the style of H.H. Holmes's "Castle," which houses unique exhibits and documents from the 19th century. This exclusive material could significantly improve Lonnit Entertainment's ratings. As a result, a team of five people heads to the hotel indicated by the stranger, unaware that this visit could turn into a deadly threat.

Sources of Inspiration

The Dark Pictures Anthology series has always attracted attention thanks to its references to famous horror films. In The Devil in Me, the main sources of inspiration were iconic films such as Saw, The Shining, Psycho, Halloween, and Friday the 13th. However, the writers sought not to simply copy scenes from these films, but to deeply analyze their structure and highlight key narrative moments, such as the murder of the protagonist, the resolution of a secret, or an unexpected plot twist. The developers use these elements, interpreting them in their own way and creating clues for attentive players who are able to recognize the references and enjoy the game on a deeper level. This makes The Devil in Me an interesting addition to the series, which combines classic horror elements with original ideas.

Unlike the previous installment in the anthology, House of Ashes, which pitted military personnel against vampires from an extraterrestrial civilization, the new bloody slasher features ordinary people as the protagonists. Their everyday lives become a stage for horror as they find themselves caught in bloody events that reveal the dark side of human nature. This twist gives the new work a fresh and realistic feel, allowing viewers to deeply empathize with the characters and their struggle for survival.

In trailers and gameplay videos The Devil in Me exudes an ominous, isolated atmosphere reminiscent of the hotel from Stanley Kubrick's iconic film, The Shining. Beyond the obvious references to the grotesque traps of the Jigsaw puzzle from the Saw series, the game creates a tense sense of hopelessness. This unique approach to atmosphere immerses players in a world filled with fear and suspense, making The Devil in Me especially appealing to horror fans.

When designing the hotel's interior, we were inspired by the style of North American hotels. We imagined what this interior might look like and sought to adapt our design to the already familiar exterior of the "Castle." The resulting design is very convincing. Inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film, The Shining, we created an atmosphere that evokes a sense of mysticism and tension. The use of low angles to film the corridors, the wide-angle lenses favored by Kubrick, and the use of translucent lenses in some scenes all combine to create an ominous mood.

The hotel feels abandoned despite its spaciousness, reminiscent of scenes where Jack, the protagonist of The Shining, is alone, immersed in the writing of his novel in an empty ballroom. We've incorporated a number of these details into our project, but we're confident that the game also contains more noticeable references that players will appreciate. The Devil in Me's development director, Tom Heaton, emphasizes that the hotel's atmosphere plays a key role in creating a unique gaming experience.

Casing and a First Look at Key Characters

Supermassive Games traditionally focuses on its performance and voice acting. The demo version of The Devil In Me allows you to get a first look at the characters, played by renowned actors. This creates a unique atmosphere and immersion in the story, emphasizing the importance of high-quality acting in creating a memorable gaming experience.

Paul Kaye, known for his roles in the TV series "Game of Thrones" and "Dracula", plays Charlie Lonnett. He acts as the leader, arranging the film crew's trip to a mysterious hotel. Upon arrival, it becomes apparent that the crew doesn't share Charlie's enthusiasm for the venture. His colleagues' negative attitude toward him is compounded by his irritability, brought on by nicotine withdrawal. This tense atmosphere creates an interesting plot twist, exploring the dynamics of relationships within the group and the character's internal conflicts.

Academy Award nominee for her supporting role in The Unknown Daughter, Jessie Buckley, first delved into the world of video games, playing the character of Kate Wilder. This character possesses outstanding talent and ambitious plans. Kate has her own vision for the future of the television company, but her ideas face resistance from Charlie, who not only rejects her initiatives but also displays envy, as viewers favor Kate. Realizing the futility of her job at Lonnit Entertainment, she decides to quit after completing a report on the restored Castle.

“If I were trapped in the Castle and being stalked by a crazed serial killer, I would be terrified. Kate, however, exhibits greater mental fortitude and understands the situation better than I do. This is probably by design, as they only have one shot at capturing what's happening. They're half-obsessed with the subject they're trying to document, and half-afraid of it at the same time. Personally, I wouldn't do that. I'd probably dive into the water to get to shore, or cower in a corner, crying in terror,” actress Jessie Buckley shares her thoughts, imagining herself in Kate's shoes.

Fehinti Balogun, who rose to fame for his role as eco-activist Brian in Walden, played Mark Nestor. At Lonnit Entertainment, Mark works as a photographer and videographer. Through dialogue, it's revealed that he's Kate's ex-boyfriend. In an interview, Jessie Buckley emphasizes that the development of the relationship between the characters depends on the player's decisions, and that the couple may eventually reunite, similar to the married couples in House of Ashes. This adds interactivity and depth to the story, allowing players to influence the outcome.

Actress Gloria Obianyo, known for her roles in the films "Dune" and "High Life," voiced the character Jamie Tiegran in the game. Jamie is a technician on the film crew who witnessed Grantham Dumet leave the hotel and board the ferry immediately after the crew had settled into their rooms. Her characteristically blunt lines and pragmatic approach to the situation highlight Jamie's willingness to survive under any circumstances.

Nikki Patel, known for her role in the British soap opera "Coronation Street," plays Erin Keeman. Erin strives for career advancement as a sound engineer, but her boss, Charlie, values ​​her more as a personal assistant. Additionally, Erin struggles with asthma, which provides the writers with additional opportunities to create tense and disorienting situations in her development.

It is important to note that the appearances of the main characters - Charlie, Mark, and Jamie - were scanned from other actors. This means that the new images may seem familiar to players, as they have already appeared in other games by Supermassive Games. This approach helps create character recognition and maintains consistency between the studio's projects.

The Devil in Me traditionally uses cutscenes with monologues from the Curator, who plays a vital role in the development of the plot. Tom Heaton hints that the storyline of this mysterious character will continue in the next season, which creates intrigue and interest among players. These elements emphasize the unique atmosphere of the game and deepen the audience's involvement in the events.

The Curator is in his vault, surrounded by many books and stories. He understands the importance of his role. His appearance is impeccable, he is stylishly dressed and well-groomed. The office he works in is impressive, but as previous games have shown, he strictly adheres to the established rules. The Curator frequently mentions his limitations, stating what he can and cannot do, and what he should and should not do.

The Curator begins to show dissatisfaction with his current circumstances. One of his main frustrations is that, despite his imperious appearance, he lacks true power. Unlike him, the player has the ability to make choices, while the Curator can only observe. This causes him frustration and tension. Stay tuned for more details on how the Curator's situation develops, as Tom Heaton comments.

New Gameplay Solutions

The interactive movie genre makes it difficult for developers to make significant changes to gameplay. However, given player demands for a varied gaming experience, Supermassive Games has implemented a number of innovations. These changes are aimed at improving interaction with the game and diversifying storylines, allowing players to more deeply immerse themselves in the world of interactive movies.

The Devil in Me features an inventory in which players can find and use various items throughout the game. Each character has a unique item associated with their profession. For example, Charlie, being the face of the company, always carries a business card, useful for opening drawers. Cameraman Mark uses a camera to collect evidence, allowing him to record important moments. Reporter Kate shades found notes with her pencil to reveal hidden notes. Jamie, with his multimeter, can solve electrical problems, and Erin uses a directional microphone to pick up subtle sounds behind walls. These unique items not only add variety to the gameplay but also add strategic elements to interactions with the surrounding world.

Some tools in the game can be modified, damaged, lost, or given to other characters. The outcome of the story depends on the player's decisions and how they use these tools throughout the gameplay.

The new character control system allows players to not only switch to running but also explore their surroundings in greater detail. Players can now jump over obstacles, crawl through narrow gaps, and balance on narrow bars. Previously, such actions were only available in scripted scenes or in story-specific locations. This innovation gives players more freedom in exploring locations and deepens the gameplay.

The development director notes that the game will feature puzzles comparable in difficulty to those in iconic games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. In the demo, the player, Jamie, must connect fuses in a strictly defined order, adding an element of challenge and tension to the gameplay. These puzzles are designed to deepen interaction with the environment and make the game more engaging.

The game's puzzles play a significant role in the development of the plot, although a fair amount of time is allocated for their solution. As Tom Heaton notes, the key aspect is not so much the player's ability to solve riddles, but the story itself that unfolds around them. This emphasizes that puzzles serve not only to test intelligence, but also to deepen the narrative, creating a richer and more engaging gaming experience.

Duration

The new episode of The Devil in Me promises to be the longest in the series. While previous parts offered an average of 4 to 6 hours of playtime, the gameplay of the final episode is designed for 7 hours. This time does not take into account additional playthrough options, which opens up new opportunities for players to explore and interact with the plot.

Jessie Buckley noted that her character's script is 300 pages long. This suggests that the film will have a variety of possible outcomes, allowing viewers to enjoy unexpected plot twists and character depth. This length of the script suggests a rich storyline and a variety of situations in which the heroine will find herself.

Upon its PC release, the game received a Metacritic score of 71. Critics praised The Devil in Me's unsettling atmosphere, engaging storyline, and user-friendly inventory mechanics. However, most reviewers gave the horror game an average rating, noting that the Murder Castle concept wasn't fully realized. The main drawbacks were the uninteresting characters and the lack of meaningful decisions that could impact the game's progress. The game also suffers from technical flaws, mostly related to the jarring animations.

Difficult decisions, harsh consequences for mistakes, and convoluted plots with unexpected endings—all of these were present in previous installments. Supermassive Games doesn't seek to disrupt established canon; instead, it focuses on improving it based on player feedback. The developers' goal is to improve every element of the game while maintaining a familiar formula. Players can only evaluate the final result and build theories about new plots for the next season.

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