Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Rich in atmosphere and big on scares, Amnesia: The Dark Descent goes where survival-horror fears to tread.

93%Game Brain Score

story, atmosphere

grinding, stability

95% User Score Based on 20,478 reviews

Critic Score 86%Based on 3 reviews

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About

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a single player survival action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Frictional Games and was released on September 8, 2010. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is a first-person survival horror game that follows a character suffering from memory loss in a dark and foreboding castle. Players must navigate through dank corridors, avoiding monsters while managing their sanity and fear levels, and uncovering the mystery behind their past. The game is known for its atmospheric setting and immersive gameplay.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,478 reviews

story2.3k positive mentions

grinding103 negative mentions

The game features a deeply immersive atmosphere, enhanced by haunting sound design and beautiful graphics that still hold up well despite its 2010 release.
The narrative is engaging and complex, with a strong focus on character development and psychological horror that keeps players invested.
The gameplay mechanics, particularly the sanity system, add a layer of tension and innovation that many players find enjoyable, contributing to the game's status as a landmark title in the horror genre.

The game suffers from various bugs and glitches, including freezing, clipping issues, and performance problems, which can detract from the overall experience.
Some players find the gameplay mechanics to be tedious and repetitive, leading to a loss of engagement as the game progresses.
The story can feel convoluted and predictable at times, particularly towards the end, which may leave some players feeling disconnected from the narrative.

story
5,032 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The story of "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is a complex and engaging narrative that unfolds through scattered notes, flashbacks, and environmental storytelling, immersing players in a dark and haunting atmosphere. While some players find the plot intriguing and well-crafted, others feel it can be convoluted or predictable, particularly towards the end. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to blend psychological horror with a compelling storyline, making it a standout title in the horror genre.
- “Each corridor, laboratory, and hidden chamber feels like part of a larger, tragic story waiting to be uncovered.”
- “On the other hand, the development of the story is very engaging and innovative, allowing us to slowly uncover the dark secrets of this mysterious castle and the tragic truth behind the acts of our character’s past.”
- “The story is genuinely engaging, gradually revealing itself through scattered notes, diary entries, and unsettling encounters.”
- “The story, delivered mostly through scattered notes and monologues, struggles to stay engaging.”
- “Story lost me a little towards the end when they try to make the player feel guilty for character actions that were predetermined, and the ending was kind of anticlimactic.”
- “The story is convoluted and lacks a clear direction, making it hard to stay invested.”
atmosphere
3,072 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
43%
1%
The atmosphere in "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is widely praised as one of its standout features, creating a deeply immersive and terrifying experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke fear through its oppressive sound design, eerie environments, and psychological tension rather than relying on cheap jump scares. The combination of a haunting narrative, detailed gothic architecture, and a constant sense of dread keeps players on edge, making it a classic in the horror genre that continues to resonate with audiences even years after its release.
- “While many modern horror titles depend on loud noises and random jump scares to elicit reactions, Amnesia crafts its terror through atmosphere, tension, and the unshakable feeling that something unspeakable lurks just beyond the edge of your lantern’s glow.”
- “Every detail feels meticulously crafted, from the creaking of doors, the echo of footsteps on the wood and concrete floor, the decaying sounds of the abandoned castle, and the faint sound of machinery, all work together to create a deeply immersive and oppressive atmosphere.”
- “Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a true horror game with a dark atmosphere, scary sound effects, decent graphics, and a deep story that you can only understand by reading notes and exploring every area of the game.”
- “While the atmosphere is undeniably strong — the dim corridors, the echoing sounds, the oppressive sense of being hunted — the actual gameplay hasn’t aged well.”
- “The atmosphere is dank, oppressive, and dreadful.”
- “The atmosphere was suffocating, the sound design was haunting, and the feeling of helplessness was terrifyingly real.”
gameplay
2,041 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The gameplay of *Amnesia: The Dark Descent* is characterized by its innovative mechanics, particularly the sanity system, which adds a layer of psychological tension as players must manage light sources to avoid losing sanity. While the game excels in creating a haunting atmosphere and engaging narrative, some players find the mechanics outdated or repetitive, with a reliance on stealth and puzzle-solving that can feel tedious over time. Overall, it remains a landmark title in the horror genre, praised for its immersive experience despite some criticisms regarding its gameplay depth and enemy AI.
- “Meanwhile, the puzzles sprinkled throughout the game strike a satisfying balance—never overly demanding, but engaging enough to keep you immersed in both the gameplay and the narrative.”
- “The gameplay is very smooth and immersive, and the game introduces several mechanics that many other developers have tried to copy for their own indie horror projects in order to achieve that 'Amnesia look'.”
- “The sanity mechanic is brilliant, adding a layer of tension that forces you to carefully manage light sources and face the fear head-on.”
- “While the atmosphere is undeniably strong — the dim corridors, the echoing sounds, the oppressive sense of being hunted — the actual gameplay hasn’t aged well.”
- “The sanity mechanic, which was once a defining mechanic, now feels like an annoyance rather than an immersive tool.”
- “The gameplay overall is going to feel very familiar to those with experience in adventure games -- what with the 'find the thing, combine the things, use the thing' mechanics -- but it’s functional nevertheless, and the somewhat more open level design (at parts) makes for a far more engaging experience than the totally linear Outlast 2.”
graphics
1,187 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
55%
7%
The graphics of *Amnesia: The Dark Descent* are often described as dated, reflecting its 2010 release, yet they effectively contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere and immersive horror experience. While some players note that the visuals can feel stiff or simplistic by modern standards, many appreciate the game's art direction, lighting, and sound design, which together create a haunting environment that enhances the overall tension and fear. Despite its age, the graphics still hold up reasonably well, especially when considering the game's focus on storytelling and atmosphere over cutting-edge visuals.
- “The graphics of Amnesia: The Dark Descent are iconic and impressive for its time.”
- “While its visuals may show their age, the experience is timeless—especially if played alone, in the dark, with headphones on.”
- “The graphics hold up incredibly well, and the game performs amazingly.”
- “Technically, it also shows its age — stiff movement, dated visuals, and awkward sound mixing that occasionally breaks the immersion instead of enhancing it.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated and it honestly doesn't hold up horror-wise to some other modern games, but for its time I can definitely see why it grew so much hype around itself.”
- “The graphics may be a little old, but they still pack some moody punch; the music and sound design are superb, and while the physics are a little wonky in some of the puzzles, the gameplay is largely a great deal of fun.”
music
875 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The music in "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's sense of dread and immersion. Players note that the soundtrack, composed by Mikko Tarmia, masterfully complements the eerie environments and intensifies moments of tension, particularly during chase sequences. While some critiques mention the repetitiveness of certain tracks, the overall consensus is that the sound design and music are integral to the game's chilling experience, making it a standout in the horror genre.
- “The soundtrack and environmental audio blend seamlessly, filling the air with dread and curiosity as you explore the crumbling halls.”
- “The music of Amnesia is completely haunting.”
- “The bone-chilling macabre soundtrack is mostly composed of haunting ambient noises and constantly chips away at your nerve throughout the whole game, which means you always feel on edge.”
- “The music is used to signal when monsters are around and will turn off when they disappear, leading to every encounter slowly devolving into a boring waiting game until the music goes away.”
- “The chase music is iconic and pretty terrifying, but it becomes predictable and takes away from the fear once you realize you can just hide until it stops.”
- “The music in this game can be repetitive and annoying, taking you out of the experience rather than enhancing it.”
replayability
202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
64%
9%
The replayability of "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is a mixed bag among players. While the main story offers limited replay value due to its linearity and scripted events, the inclusion of multiple endings and a robust modding community significantly enhances replayability through custom stories and challenges. Overall, many players find that the custom content provides nearly infinite replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy exploring user-generated content.
- “Its modding community also adds considerable replay value with custom stories and new challenges.”
- “The custom story feature extends the replayability considerably.”
- “The multiple endings and custom stories add greatly to the replay value.”
- “Has some repetition, a few story flaws, and it loses replay value due to scripted events playing mostly the same every time.”
- “Though I don't see much replayability.”
- “The main story has very little replayability; I never get as scared as my first playthrough because the scares are in the same place as before.”
humor
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The humor in the game is often described as dark and situational, providing a comedic contrast to its horror elements. Players frequently mention the enjoyment of sharing funny moments with friends during gameplay, as well as the amusing designs and behaviors of the monsters, which can turn terrifying encounters into laughable experiences. Overall, while the game is primarily a horror title, its humor adds a unique layer that enhances the fun, especially in multiplayer settings or through user-generated content.
- “The balance between horror, spook, and humor is tough in this one.”
- “Humor: while the game is primarily a horror game, it does have its moments of dark humor.”
- “The story is good too; the monsters are scary at the early part of the game where you just hear their growl and see them from a distance, but once you see their goofy faces and their goofy walks, they're kind of funny looking.”
- “The chasing scene gave me a heart attack; being chased is not funny!”
- “Very not funny :(”
grinding
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
18%
79%
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the mechanics of managing resources, solving puzzles, and navigating dark environments. While some found the initial tension and atmosphere engaging, the gameplay tends to become monotonous and less frightening as it progresses, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall enjoyment.
- “The puzzle mechanic is not tedious or difficult to accomplish.”
- “The environments are creepy, monsters are not tedious like so many horror games, and there is a sense of dread everywhere you go.”
- “Challenging, but not tedious puzzles.”
- “Unfortunately, this feels tedious.”
- “Damn near every mechanic this game has to offer is tedious and counterintuitive.”
- “The gameplay feels a little tedious after a while but for the most part, it's great.”
emotional
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings of fear, vulnerability, and tension, making it a standout in the horror genre. Players report a range of emotional reactions, from intense dread and panic to moments of profound sadness, often feeling a strong connection to the game's narrative and characters. However, some critiques highlight disjointed storytelling and gameplay mechanics that can detract from emotional engagement, leading to mixed experiences among players.
- “This game is so awesome, it made me cry, especially the amnesia: justine. The music, gameplay, story, and scary stuff are from 100/10. I hate it but I love it at the same time.”
- “This game made me feel like I was dying of dread for the first ten to twelve hours I played it.”
- “This is what video games should be: a direct and interactive emotional experience, and Amnesia executes this flawlessly.”
- “Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a very overrated horror game that is extremely outdated compared to the horror games released today. I found the game to be immensely tedious, combined with the driest and most boring story I have ever come across. I bought this game on sale for around £2 and still think it wasn't worth it.”
- “Boring storyline, even more boring and simple puzzles, tedious, awful controls.”
stability
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
3%
84%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting occasional glitches and bugs, particularly related to collisions and graphical issues. While some users experienced significant problems, such as freezing and clipping out of bounds, others found the game to run smoothly on modern hardware with minimal impact on gameplay. Despite the presence of bugs, most players felt that they did not detract significantly from the overall experience, allowing for an engaging and atmospheric horror adventure.
- “The graphics are still beautiful for this game being released in 2010, and I didn't run into any hardware issues whatsoever. This game runs great on modern systems; no loopholes are required, so don't be scared of that being an issue because this game is optimized greatly and runs beautifully on modern hardware.”
- “First time ever playing, and the game still holds up years later and runs great even on modern hardware.”
- “As for the mechanics of the game, it is extremely smooth, with no glitches and no lag.”
- “Game is too buggy, lost so much progress because I got stuck in a corner, unable to move.”
- “This game is a buggy piece of shit, which randomly crashes upon switching maps, it's easy to randomly clip out of bounds (I managed to on my first playthrough) and items can often get stuck or go through walls.”
- “Crashes/takes eternity to load/stutters/freezes/drops frames/etc. in the 12 or so minutes I was barely able to light a candle.”
optimization
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
47%
14%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance and good framerates on modern systems, even on lower-end PCs. However, some users have noted occasional performance issues, such as stuttering and framerate drops in specific scenarios, particularly in areas with heavy lighting. Despite these minor drawbacks, the game is praised for its beautiful graphics and solid technical performance, making it a favorable experience for most players.
- “The graphics are still beautiful for this game being released in 2010, and I didn't run into any hardware issues whatsoever. This game runs great on modern systems, no loopholes are required, so don't be scared of that being an issue because this game is optimized greatly and runs beautifully on modern hardware.”
- “As far as the game's performance, I can happily say I played through all the way to the ending without a single problem, and this was on a 64-bit Windows 10 machine.”
- “After Penumbra's trilogy, the same team delights us with a brand new horror game; this indie gem is very well optimized, fully functional even for low-end PCs: the lighting system is excellent, but most importantly, the gameplay is endearing.”
- “Cant suggest the game if it has memory leaks and poor optimizations that affect low end to high end PCs.”
- “The optimization suffers in certain areas, notably places with many sources of light, where the framedrops tend to flutter.”
- “Horribly unoptimized shit, I got it for free and I still want my money back.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
58%
18%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the protagonist Daniel experiences significant growth throughout the story, some players feel that his development is not deep enough to foster empathy. The narrative is praised for its strong focus on character progression and world-building, enhancing player investment in the storyline. However, critiques highlight inconsistencies in character design, particularly among certain enemies, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Character development: you might not realize it at first, but the game's protagonist, Daniel, undergoes some fascinating character development as you progress through the story.”
- “The details of each character from the design to character development is really quite astonishing.”
- “Limited character development: the game's protagonist is not well-developed, and some players may find it hard to empathize with Daniel.”
- “The character development is also something Outlast lacks, having that in the game helped me get invested in the storyline.”
- “While there were some I didn’t necessarily care for, there’s a lot of information that not only helps you progress but also learn some character development to help regain Daniel’s memory to know how he got in this situation.”
monetization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and predatory monetization practices, providing a pure horror experience without the distractions of in-game purchases. Players appreciate the immersive gameplay that focuses on atmosphere rather than cash grabs, reinforcing the game's commitment to a straightforward, engaging experience.
- “Amnesia always sounded right up my alley when it had come out-- a pure horror experience free from malformed combat systems, or microtransactions, or the odd tedium of inventory management and so on.”
- “☑️ no microtransactions, thank you!”
- “In-game purchases will drain your wallet.”
- “Free, but has microtransactions.”
- “No microtransactions, no battle pass, no predatory monetization period.”

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86%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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9h Median play time

21h Average play time

8h Main story

11h Completionist

3-12h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 61 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a survival action adventure game with horror theme.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 11 hours to finish. On average players spend around 21 hours playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent was released on September 8, 2010.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent was developed by Frictional Games.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a single player game.

Similar games include Outlast, Visage, Darkwood, Layers of Fear, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and others.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

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