Amnesia: The Bunker

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,082 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Amnesia: The Bunker Game Cover
Amnesia: The Bunker is an essential horror game and an inspired next step for the series.
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Amnesia: The Bunker is a first-person horror game set in a desolate WW1 Bunker. Face the oppressing terrors stalking the dark corridors. Search for and use the tools and weapons at your disposal, while keeping the lights on at all costs. Overcome fear, persevere, and make your way out alive.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,082 reviews
gameplay334 positive mentions
grinding46 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that keeps players on edge.
  • Innovative gameplay mechanics that allow for multiple solutions to problems.
  • High replayability due to randomized item placements and customizable difficulty settings.
  • Short playtime, with many players completing it in under 5 hours.
  • The monster's AI can become predictable and less scary after initial encounters.
  • Limited story depth compared to previous entries in the series.
  • gameplay1,132 mentions

    The gameplay of "Amnesia: The Bunker" has been widely praised for its engaging mechanics and immersive experience, combining elements of survival horror with resource management and strategic problem-solving. Players appreciate the tension created by the generator mechanic, which requires careful fuel management to keep the lights on while navigating a claustrophobic environment filled with a relentless monster. While some find the gameplay loop repetitive and the story lacking, many agree that the game successfully revitalizes the franchise by prioritizing gameplay over narrative, offering a fresh take on the classic horror formula.

    • “The gameplay functions as a cat-and-mouse dynamic, where the monster can get you anywhere, making encounters feel unpredictable and tense.”
    • “The gameplay loop becomes very rewarding and exciting, and something I'd like to see explored and done more in the future.”
    • “As for the gameplay, the bunker surpasses its predecessors greatly by introducing crafting, tools, traps, firearms, scarce resources, omnipresent enemy AI, non-linearity, and freedom to tackle the obstacles in different ways.”
    • “The gameplay is a mix of 'Amnesia', 'Alien Isolation', and 'Resident Evil'.”
    • “The gameplay does have a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop that does get a little tedious at the end of this game's fairly short runtime, but it's overall not a huge knock on the experience.”
    • “The generator mechanic is a fresh and inspired addition that turns the bunker into a dynamic, unpredictable environment that can change its tone at a moment's notice.”
  • story974 mentions

    The story in "Amnesia: The Bunker" is generally perceived as minimal and less engaging compared to previous entries in the series, focusing more on gameplay mechanics than narrative depth. While it features a simple premise set during World War I, much of the story is conveyed through scattered notes and environmental storytelling, which some players found intriguing but others deemed lacking in substance. Overall, the game prioritizes survival horror elements over a complex narrative, leading to mixed feelings about its storytelling approach among fans of the franchise.

    • “This game terrified me to no end, and is in my opinion, a very powerful piece of anti-war art, and tells a story that, while relatively small in stakes and scale, really struck a chord with me.”
    • “The story in Amnesia: The Bunker is amazing; it does its job well and it feels good to slowly unravel the story as you uncover notes.”
    • “The atmosphere and storytelling are pristine, creating a compelling narrative that unfolds gradually as players progress.”
    • “The story is somewhat predictable and brief, but reading through the scattered notes and diary entries lets you know of hidden items, mechanics, and even what to do with a peculiar leporidae.”
    • “The story failed to grip me, leaving me detached from the overall experience.”
    • “The story is very short and lacks depth, making it feel more like a side story rather than a significant entry in the Amnesia series.”
  • atmosphere524 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Amnesia: The Bunker" is widely praised for its oppressive, claustrophobic design, effectively immersing players in a tense and terrifying environment. The combination of chilling sound design, haunting visuals, and a constant sense of dread from the lurking monster creates a uniquely unsettling experience that keeps players on edge throughout their journey. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke fear and paranoia, making it a standout title in the survival horror genre.

    • “Its atmospheric soundscapes, unsettling visuals, and ingenious environmental narrative weave together seamlessly to escalate the suspense as you progress, ensuring a constant sense of unease as you unravel the secrets concealed within.”
    • “The atmosphere is dense and thick, creating a harsh and oppressive atmosphere all the more while a beast from the bunker’s past lurks around the corners to kill you.”
    • “The atmosphere is so well done that I can only describe it as oppressive, claustrophobic, and a constant war against hopelessness at your situation.”
    • “The eerie ambiance and the dark, claustrophobic environments effectively build tension and create an unsettling horrific atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere created in Amnesia: The Bunker is simply unparalleled.”
  • replayability237 mentions

    "Amnesia: The Bunker" is praised for its high replayability, largely due to randomized item placements, codes, and customizable difficulty settings that enhance the gameplay experience. While the game is relatively short, many players find the emergent gameplay and various modes, including a recent Halloween update, provide ample incentive for multiple playthroughs. However, some critics argue that the core objectives remain too linear, which may limit the overall replay value for certain players.

    • “Amnesia: the Bunker is really short, yes, but it has really high replay value with the ability to customize your own playthrough after you beat the game the first time. Locker codes, ammunition, notes, and so on are all scattered during New Game+ mode.”
    • “The omnipresent monster keeps you on your toes, and the game allows for tons of customization in the difficulty, giving it a ton of replay value despite the game's short runtime.”
    • “A true survival horror experience with tight resource management, difficult choices, fantastic level design, and a great sense of progression. It's so well designed, tuned to perfection, and packed with replayability; lots of options to tweak after your first run so you can play it over and over if that's what you like to do.”
    • “The game suggests some sort of replay value with randomized item placements and door/locker codes, as well as a big old stats screen at the end, but I don't really know how much mileage there is to get out of that, other than the time trial aspect of it.”
    • “While the randomization does help it somewhat in the replayability department, there is little reason to play more than once or twice outside of achievement hunting.”
    • “That said, despite the game's efforts to increase replay value with randomizing various elements every playthrough, the lack of a deeper mystery to be solved and no multiple endings kills the drive to do multiple playthroughs.”
  • graphics153 mentions

    The graphics of "Amnesia: The Bunker" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric visuals and attention to detail that enhance the horror experience. While some players note that the graphics engine feels outdated compared to modern standards, the art style and environmental storytelling effectively create a tense and immersive atmosphere. Overall, the visuals are considered good, with a strong emphasis on lighting and sound design, though they may not meet the expectations of players seeking cutting-edge graphics.

    • “Visually stunning: the graphics in Amnesia Bunker are impressive, delivering detailed and realistic environments that enhance the overall horror experience.”
    • “The attention to detail is remarkable, with realistic and immersive graphics that make players feel like they are truly trapped in a nightmare.”
    • “The graphics are breathtaking, offering an immersive experience that draws you deeply into the action.”
    • “The graphics engine is clearly outdated now, and it shows in 2023.”
    • “I'm sorry, but the quality of graphics looks like this game is 20 years old, so although other aspects are fine, I just can't recommend this game at this price.”
    • “The graphics and the aesthetics are just painful, and there are no interesting narratives.”
  • music55 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, particularly in horror scenarios. While some players found the soundtrack to be phenomenal and immersive, others felt it lacked memorable themes and impactful moments, leading to a less intense experience compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the sound design is generally regarded as top-notch, effectively complementing the game's environment and gameplay.

    • “The amazing sound design also added to the immersion and, once again, Mikko Tarmia's soundtracks were phenomenal.”
    • “The music is spooky and the atmosphere feels hopeless and dark.”
    • “Music, sound design, and atmosphere is Frictional Games' specialty, so it's no surprise they're all top-notch.”
    • “The game might be a little scary in your first fifteen minutes, but all of that dwindles down with the help of the fuel generator, weapons, the character's seemingly unlimited stamina, and the underwhelming soundtrack.”
    • “It has no impactful story, no thought-provoking questions, no twists; there is no poignance in the soundtrack - was there even a soundtrack?”
    • “There is no compelling music at key points in the game, nothing.”
  • grinding50 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the constant backtracking and resource management required. Many reviews highlight that while the initial gameplay can be engaging, it quickly devolves into a monotonous cycle of collecting items and avoiding enemies, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant flaw, making the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable horror experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's not even remotely scary, it's not suspenseful, it's not interesting, it's mostly tedious and irritating.”
    • “The gameplay does have a somewhat repetitive loop that does get a little tedious at the end of this game's fairly short runtime, but it's overall not a huge knock on the experience.”
    • “I appreciate what they were going for with the flashlight mechanic: a need for light that must be frequently recharged at the cost of stealth; however, in practice, it quickly becomes tedious, tiresome, and insufferably repetitive.”
  • optimization33 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting stable performance at 60fps, even on lower-end hardware. However, some users experienced occasional frame drops, loading stutters, and performance issues in specific areas, suggesting that while the game runs smoothly for most, there is room for improvement in optimization. Despite these hiccups, the graphics are praised, and the game is considered well-balanced and polished overall.

    • “A few frame drops here and there but otherwise well optimized.”
    • “The game runs smoothly for me, and it seems well-balanced and well-polished (have played on normal and hard so far).”
    • “The game looks stellar yet at the same time runs smoothly (even on my semi-powerful laptop from 2020 which does not support RTX games) at all times and is a consistent experience through and through.”
    • “I had giant hopes for this game only to end up irritated. The game is boring and only scary in the beginning, but then it becomes annoying going around in small corridors with the monster chasing you constantly in a bland horror experience. The performance of this game is bad; visually it doesn't look better than Rebirth, it's a tiny map inside and yet performs way worse.”
    • “However, there is a critical performance error where the game just starts slowing down and down until it is barely controllable, even at lower settings on decent graphics cards and memory.”
    • “Cons: there are hiccups here and there regarding performance and loading an area stutters.”
  • stability33 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting the presence of various bugs and glitches, particularly during area transitions and with AI behavior. While some users experienced minor issues that did not significantly detract from their enjoyment, others reported more frustrating problems, including crashes and visual glitches. Overall, the game runs smoothly for many, but its stability is inconsistent, suggesting that further updates could improve the experience.

    • “First, the game runs great.”
    • “Scales well, runs great.”
    • “From a technical perspective, it's excellent; no frame drops, no glitches, no bugs (at least I haven't found any yet).”
    • “Very buggy in its current state, mostly worth the buy for custom stories.”
    • “Frustratingly buggy, with less than great game design.”
    • “Not because 'muh dark descent best,' but because this feels like an unpolished buggy mess.”
  • emotional32 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Amnesia: The Bunker" is highlighted by its ability to evoke genuine fear and tension, making players feel a deep sense of urgency and vulnerability as they navigate its horror elements. The game's storytelling and sound design enhance the emotional experience, creating a haunting atmosphere that resonates with players, while nostalgic references to previous titles add charm. However, some players felt a lack of emotional connection to the characters, suggesting that deeper character development could have further enriched the narrative engagement.

    • “The storytelling adds an emotional layer to the horror, making it more than just a series of scares.”
    • “The sounds are phenomenal and on point the entire time, and the story is heartbreaking and immersive.”
    • “There's nothing quite as heart-wrenching as having the power go out before you've had a chance to complete your objective and slowly creeping your way back to the safe room.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and absurd, with players finding amusement in the game's brutal death animations and the ridiculousness of certain situations, such as a comically ineffective monster and the unexpected utility of a wooden plank. Many reviewers appreciate the balance of humor and horror, noting that the game's quirks and glitches contribute to its comedic value, making it both entertaining and frightening. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm that enhances the gameplay experience, even for those who primarily seek a horror atmosphere.

    • “I'm crapping my pants and laughing over its occasional idiocy.”
    • “The decision to have a hole appear in the safe room was hilariously devious.”
    • “The much higher freedom and random generation both makes for funny situations that ease the tension a bit like a group of rats becoming the most dangerous thing in the game just to absolutely crush you in the next moment as you realize you've got to make an incredibly reckless thing if you hope to survive.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with some users feeling it relies heavily on brand recognition rather than quality content. The lack of marketing and the perception of the game as glorified advertising have contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction among players.

    • “But this felt like a simple cash grab, like a bank account top-up, and left feeling pretty unsatisfied after.”
    • “Maybe if the developers stop throwing the word 'Amnesia' for easier advertisements and just roll with a simple one-off game, people would not have these high expectations.”
    • “I don't personally care about the show, as I believe it's just 2+ hours of glorified advertising, but it still would've been a giant publicity boost for Frictional and their non-stop commitment to quality games.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for being shallow, with players feeling that the protagonist's journey lacks depth and emotional engagement. The narrative, while initially promising, ultimately fails to provide a rich character arc, suffering from pacing issues and insufficient development.

    • “Character development: although the protagonist is thrust into a terrifying situation, the lack of deep character development might leave some players wanting more.”
    • “Additionally, the narrative, although promising at the outset, is so bare bones it's practically non-existent and what is there suffers from pacing issues and a lack of depth in character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
3-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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