The Dark Pictures Anthology House of Ashes

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes lands as the best in the series so far by going in a different direction with its take on horror and improving upon many past gameplay elements.

82%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

91% User Score Based on 6,675 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 53 reviews

Platforms

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About

"House of Ashes" is a horror-adventure game from the Dark Pictures Anthology. In this installment, a military unit during the Iraq war uncovers a ancient Sumerian temple, unleashing terrifying creatures. Players must navigate the treacherous temple, making decisions that determine their survival and the fate of their team. With multiple endings, the choices made throughout the game create a unique and immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,263 reviews

story1k positive mentions

stability75 negative mentions

story
2,196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The story of "House of Ashes" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, character development, and unexpected plot twists, making it a standout entry in the Dark Pictures anthology. Set against the backdrop of the Iraq War, the game combines horror elements with themes of trust and survival, allowing players' choices to significantly impact the storyline. While some critiques mention predictability and pacing issues, the overall consensus highlights the game's immersive storytelling and strong character arcs, making it a recommended experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “I strongly recommend this game; the revelation in the story, the character dynamics with one another, and the character development are just far superior to their other games.”
- “The game excels in storytelling, with well-developed characters and an engaging plot that keeps you invested throughout.”
- “The story is so good it should be a movie.”
- “Trash story”
- “However, it felt like a chore going through the game because the story was so incredibly weak and story is the most important aspect of games like this.”
- “The story is... meh.”
gameplay
428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
5%
The gameplay in "House of Ashes" is characterized by a blend of cinematic storytelling and interactive elements, primarily consisting of quick-time events (QTEs) and decision-making, which some players find engaging while others feel it lacks depth. Many reviews highlight improvements over previous titles in the Dark Pictures anthology, such as enhanced mechanics and a more action-oriented approach, but also note that the gameplay can feel limited, often leaning towards watching cutscenes rather than active participation. Overall, while the game offers a compelling narrative and character dynamics, it may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional gaming experience with extensive interactivity.
- “From its gripping narrative to its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The gameplay was nice and didn't have game-breaking bugs like the previous games (at least in my experience).”
- “This game is one of the best games I've ever played, the gameplay is stressful and intense and the characters are all very unique and cool, this is a really great game.”
- “The gameplay is extremely simple, and can be broken down into two halves.”
- “There really isn't much actual gameplay here, so if you need a certain level of interactivity in your games to stay engaged, you should probably look elsewhere.”
- “If you aren't big on games that have a lot of cut scenes where you're just watching then you might not enjoy this game as much because there is less gameplay than in other games you may have played before.”
graphics
426 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, often described as photo-realistic and cinematic. While many players praised the immersive environments and character animations, some noted occasional graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's storytelling and atmosphere significantly.
- “From its gripping narrative to its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The graphics are photo-realistic and you will quickly feel you are watching a movie.”
- “The overall experience is top notch, graphics gorgeous, environment and sound design out of this world.”
- “Instead of wasting the funds for a popular celebrity cast, it's better to upgrade the graphics and add more face models.”
- “The graphics were fine, but I for the life of me cannot understand how the facial animations get progressively worse with every game.”
- “Graphics are subpar, at times embarrassingly 2003 (explosions, fire, and water in general).”
atmosphere
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
33%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and intense qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective use of visuals, sound design, and character dynamics to create a chilling and engaging experience. While some noted that it may not reach the atmospheric heights of previous entries, the overall consensus is that the game successfully maintains suspense and tension, making it a standout aspect of the gameplay. The combination of moral choices and a well-crafted environment contributes significantly to the player's emotional engagement and enjoyment.
- “The game exudes atmosphere; there wasn't a moment where I wasn't drawn into the environments present, however frightening.”
- “The atmosphere was thrilling, suspenseful, and engaging.”
- “With fantastic visuals, interesting characters, and a claustrophobic atmosphere, it makes for a very fun game.”
- “The game's atmosphere is quite weak.”
- “Sure the game itself has some scary moments and the creatures were creepy, but unlike Until Dawn, the atmosphere just doesn't feel like how a horror game should be.”
- “No thrilling, no atmosphere, everything is flat.”
replayability
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
66%
3%
The game boasts high replayability due to its lengthy playtime, numerous branching paths, and impactful choices that lead to varied outcomes. Players appreciate the potential for multiple endings and the ability to explore different character perspectives, although some express frustration with repetitive cutscenes. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging story and significant replay value, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy exploring alternative narratives.
- “It's a long 4+ hour game on each side and even then there is a ton of replay value because your choices actually matter and so many different outcomes!”
- “The game is very replayable - the bearings are able to create unique situations every playthrough and certain dialogue choices can open up more conversations further into the game.”
- “If you love horror games this is definitely the game you want to experience :) the game offers so much replayability value, especially on account of the curator cut content and the ability to play with another player.”
- “This kind of game is famous for replayability, but the last thing I want to do is watch so many hours of over 90% of the same stuff to see the less than 10% differences.”
- “Replayability is let down by having to sit through entire cut scenes.”
- “As with their other games, there really isn't any replayability.”
stability
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting it is less buggy than previous entries in the series, yet still plagued by various glitches and performance issues, including cursor problems, camera bugs, and occasional freezes. While some players found these issues tolerable and enjoyed the story, others experienced significant disruptions, such as infinite loading screens and crashes, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the game offers a compelling narrative, its stability remains a concern for many players.
- “There are some glitches, particularly sometimes the cursor while aiming gets stuck and I have to click repeatedly for it to work, and the camera gets some problems after inspecting items.”
- “First playthrough ran fine, second playthrough was plagued with infinite loading screens, freezes, semi-freezes, and just a bunch of buggy trash.”
- “Game freezes around 3 hours in, literally unable to progress any farther and I don't want to start a whole new game just to experience the same bug again and have 6 hours of my life wasted.”
music
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, particularly during key moments. While some tracks are noted as excellent and fitting for the game's themes, others find the overall soundtrack to be forgettable or lacking in standout pieces. Overall, the music contributes positively to the experience, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact.
- “The graphics and character designs were incredible, there were absolutely no bugs or crashes (PC), the soundtrack was epic, the story is amazing and captivating in every aspect.”
- “Music and ambient sound also deftly set the mood and help maintain an atmosphere of persistent dread.”
- “Soundtrack is fitting and makes the whole situations even more thrilling or emotional; it's a really good job.”
- “I think music does not exist at all or just a few times, so I never felt it.”
- “The music is again slightly on the weaker side; however, I felt a little more positive about this one. The score is just okay.”
- “Graphics are okay, music is forgettable.”
optimization
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
57%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting solid performance and smooth gameplay, often exceeding 70 fps even at high settings. However, some users reported issues with ray tracing options and occasional performance drops, indicating that while the game is generally well-optimized, there are still areas for improvement. Despite these criticisms, the visuals and technical execution are praised, suggesting a strong effort in optimization over the years since release.
- “The performance is consistently solid, never dipping below 70 fps.”
- “The title is also insanely optimized, putting out state-of-the-art visuals at 4K ultra 100+ fps.”
- “Optimization-wise, after almost 2 years of release, it's pretty solid.”
- “From a technical perspective, I didn't encounter any bugs, but I found the RTX options to be completely useless since the performance hit was way too big. It felt like they were just flipping the RTX switch on UE4 rather than the team actually working on making RTX features in the game work better.”
- “Whoever said this game was optimized, you're a whole liar, because we went through some stuff.”
- “Art optimization seems insufficient - some meshes kept popping up in-game even though I was playing on a high-end PC.”
character development
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
Character development in this game has received mixed reviews, with many praising it as a significant improvement over previous entries, highlighting the depth and realism of characters like Salim and Jason, whose arcs are shaped by player choices. However, some players felt that other characters lacked sufficient development, leading to a less engaging experience overall. Despite these criticisms, the game's character dynamics and impactful storytelling have been noted as standout features, contributing to a compelling narrative.
- “Character development is better than previous entries, and your choices feel impactful, influencing relationships and survival.”
- “Even the unlikable characters in this game have beautiful story arcs that I think redeem them by the end and show realistic character development.”
- “The character development feels real and dynamic; your choices actually make a difference like they should, the story is fantastic, the setting and plot twist are insane but somehow work.”
- “Character development overall was unsatisfactory as I feel that with a game that focuses on your care for the character, you should feel an investment in every one of them living.”
- “My own personal investment was narrowed down to Salim and Jason, as these were the only two characters that I felt were given a chance to evolve and change past the introduction of them at the beginning of the game, whereas the others felt boxed into a format that gave them minimal character development chance.”
- “Character development for all of the characters outside of Salim was underwhelming and disappointing, even though the backdrop of the Iraq War in 2003 was ripe for compelling character development.”
emotional
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exploration of relationships and character growth, particularly through the interactions between Jason and Salim, which resonate deeply with players. While the facial capture technology effectively conveys emotions, some players find the dialogue and voice acting lacking in depth, which can detract from immersion. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotional responses, from investment in character outcomes to feelings of claustrophobia and tension, making it a thrilling experience.
- “The exploration of relationships and conflicts under duress is a highlight of the game, adding a layer of emotional engagement.”
- “Special mention needs to be made of the facial capture technology, which does a great job of conveying the full emotional extent of the actors' performances.”
- “It's gripping, fast-paced, emotional, and above all thrilling - and does not slack on the dread as everyone is expendable.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it entertaining and often laugh-out-loud funny, especially during multiplayer sessions with friends. Many reviews highlight the absurdity of character situations and the comedic elements woven into the story, likening the experience to watching a cheesy B-movie. However, some players express mixed feelings about the incorporation of certain themes, suggesting that it detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- “Didn't really care about the characters a whole lot (mostly because my friend and I were just joking around), but I'd be lying if this game wasn't entertaining and funny as hell.”
- “Purposefully messing up to get the characters killed in hilarious ways has never been better.”
- “The story is fantastic, combining history with horror, humor, and heartbreak.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
57%
36%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment and repetition, with some humorously suggesting that a "second life" may be necessary to complete it. The inability to skip certain cutscenes and the lack of checkpoints further contribute to the frustration, especially when aiming for 100% completion. While some improvements in pacing and gameplay have been noted, the grinding remains a prominent and unenjoyable feature for many.
- “Time for grinding will be required.”
- “You'll be grinding a lot.”
- “Going for 100% was a bit tedious in this one. It had the problem of the last game I played where it knows you're playing again but won't let you skip cutscenes that don't result in an action, or at least skip up to a part to make a decision.”
- “However, they realized that someone might just replay that section, so to prevent that, they didn't put in any checkpoints and disabled saving until after the first act is over. They even disabled skipping cutscenes (which you can actually do with later cutscenes) just to make it extra tedious to replay that section of the game.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the monetization model disrupts the gaming experience, comparing it to binge-watching a show interrupted by mandatory participation moments, akin to skipping ads. This suggests a frustration with the intrusive nature of monetization in gameplay.
- “I find this type of game too much like bingeing a show interrupted by sudden points at which you need to participate - a little like having to grab the remote to skip ads.”