The Dark Pictures Anthology House of Ashes

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,605 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Dark Pictures Anthology House of Ashes Game Cover
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.
Starting at $0Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on PS Store

"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.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,605 reviews
story503 positive mentions
stability36 negative mentions
  • story1,088 mentions

    The story of "House of Ashes" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, character development, and unexpected 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 military drama, resulting in a compelling plot that keeps players invested. While some critiques mention predictability and minor plot holes, the overall consensus highlights the game's strong storytelling and character dynamics, 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.”
    • “The story was boring, predictable, and generic.”
    • “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 not only scary but also has some interesting twists, so I definitely recommend it for that and also it's beautiful to watch.”
  • gameplay210 mentions

    The gameplay in "House of Ashes" is characterized by a blend of quick-time events (QTEs), decision-making, and cinematic storytelling, which some players find engaging while others feel it lacks depth and interactivity. Many reviews highlight the game's improved mechanics and visuals compared to previous titles in the Dark Pictures anthology, though some criticize it for being overly reliant on cutscenes and lacking innovative gameplay elements. Overall, while the narrative and character dynamics are praised, the gameplay experience is often described as minimal and more akin to an interactive movie than a traditional game.

    • “From its gripping narrative to its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “The gameplay reminds me of Heavy Rain with the quick-time events, but the story is captivating and the atmosphere is extremely unique.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay is minimal; there are so many moments where you just sit and watch cutscenes in this game.”
    • “If you aren't big on games that have a lot of cutscenes 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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics209 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and realism, often described as "photo-realistic" and comparable to high-quality cinematic experiences. While many players praised the attention to detail and immersive environments, some noted minor graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “From its gripping narrative to its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay, it's a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful and there's a complexity to the characters in House of Ashes that the other Dark Pictures Anthology games kind of skim over, which, in my opinion, makes for a better game experience.”
    • “The game is graphically stunning, runs extremely well and has a very interesting storyline.”
    • “Instead of wasting the funds on a popular celebrity cast, it's better to upgrade the graphics and add more face models.”
    • “The graphics were fine, but I cannot understand how the facial animations get progressively worse with every game.”
    • “The graphics sometimes don't render properly and are missing textures.”
  • atmosphere63 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and intense qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective use of sound, visuals, and environmental design to create a chilling and suspenseful experience. While some noted a decline in atmospheric depth compared to previous entries, the overall consensus is that the game successfully engages players through meaningful choices and character relationships, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative. The combination of great graphics, music, and a well-crafted setting contributes to a memorable and thrilling atmosphere that keeps players on edge.

    • “The game's strongest aspect is its atmosphere and the moral dilemmas presented as you control soldiers and civilians forced to cooperate.”
    • “The atmosphere was thrilling, suspenseful, and engaging.”
    • “The game exudes atmosphere; there wasn't a moment where I wasn't drawn into the environments present, however frightening.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability57 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its lengthy playtime, numerous branching paths, and impactful choices that lead to different outcomes. Players appreciate the variety of experiences available, although some express frustration with having to rewatch lengthy cutscenes during multiple playthroughs. Overall, the potential for diverse endings and character interactions makes it a compelling choice for those seeking replay value.

    • “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 under 10% differences.”
    • “As with their other games, there really isn't any replayability.”
    • “Replayability is let down by having to sit through entire cut scenes.”
  • music37 mentions

    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 outstanding, others are described as forgettable or typical of the horror genre. Overall, the soundtrack is generally considered fitting and effective, contributing positively to the game's immersive experience.

    • “Fun characters and story, great pacing, atmosphere and music were on point.”
    • “The soundtrack is also very fitting; it sounds scary when it needs to be and it just keeps the tension throughout the entire game.”
    • “Music and ambient sound also deftly set the mood and help maintain an atmosphere of persistent dread.”
    • “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.”
    • “The 'music' scene glitched out and didn't work the first time through.”
  • stability36 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it is considered less buggy than previous entries in the series, players still report various glitches, including cursor issues, camera problems, and occasional freezes. Some users experienced significant performance issues, particularly on high settings, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite these stability concerns, many players found the engaging story and design to outweigh the technical shortcomings.

    • “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 has some problems after inspecting items.”
    • “First playthrough ran fine, but the second playthrough was plagued with infinite loading screens, freezes, semi-freezes, and just a bunch of buggy issues.”
    • “The game is also very buggy; there are certain items you are unable to interact with because of how buggy it is, resulting in missed insights and achievements.”
  • optimization32 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players report solid performance with consistent frame rates above 70 fps and minimal bugs, some criticize the RTX features for their significant performance impact and mention occasional performance drops and graphical issues. Despite these concerns, the game is generally regarded as well-optimized for high-end systems, delivering impressive visuals and smooth gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “Didn't encounter any bugs or performance issues during my playthrough, as far as I can tell.”
    • “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 though I was playing on a high-end PC.”
  • character development30 mentions

    Character development in this game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers noting its depth and impact compared to previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the realistic arcs of both likable and unlikable characters, particularly highlighting the growth of characters like Jason and Salim, which is influenced by player choices. While most characters are well-rounded and undergo significant development, some players feel that a few characters lack the same level of investment and evolution.

    • “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 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, and the setting and plot twists 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 their introduction, whereas the others felt boxed into a format that gave them minimal character development opportunity.”
    • “It had an overall good plot for the theme that Supermassive was trying to accomplish, but their overall failure was the character development.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exploration of character relationships and the impact of player choices on outcomes, creating a sense of investment in the story. While some players found the dialogue and voice acting lacking in depth, the use of facial capture technology effectively conveyed emotions, particularly in key interactions. Overall, the game delivers a gripping and thrilling experience, with moments that evoke a range of feelings, though some players felt less connected to the characters compared to other narrative-driven games.

    • “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.”
    • “I felt emotionally invested in the characters and enjoyed the story in general.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it entertaining and often laugh-out-loud funny, especially during action scenes and character interactions. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of absurd situations and character designs, while some express mixed feelings about the incorporation of contemporary themes. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with its narrative, making for a light-hearted experience, especially when played with friends.

    • “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 I said 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.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to achieve 100% completion. Many reviews emphasize the need for extensive grinding, with some humorously suggesting that players might need "a second life" to manage the demands of the gameplay. While some improvements in pacing and gameplay have been noted, the overall sentiment remains that grinding can detract from the experience.

    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “You'll be grinding a lot.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Going for 100% was a bit tedious in this one; it had the same problem as the last game I played where it knows you're playing again but won't let you skip cutscenes that don't result in action, or at least skip 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... and 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.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players feel that the monetization model disrupts the gaming experience, comparing it to binge-watching a show interrupted by ads, which can detract from immersion and enjoyment.

    • “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.”
    • “The monetization feels aggressive, constantly pushing me to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It's frustrating that progress is often locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy The Dark Pictures Anthology House of Ashes

Play time

6hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
3-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News