The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me

About

In "The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me," players join a documentary film crew invited to a modern-day replica of serial killer H.H. Holmes' murder castle. Things take a dark turn as they realize they're being watched and manipulated, and the hotel becomes an ominous trap. This cinematic horror game features character inventory, tool-based puzzles, and expanded exploration, adding new dimensions to the series' branching narrative.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me screenshot

56%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,112 reviews

story413 positive mentions

stability411 negative mentions

story
1,156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
55%
9%
The story of "The Devil in Me" has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its intriguing premise based on the real-life serial killer H.H. Holmes, while others criticize it for being predictable and filled with clichés. Many players noted that the shared story mode often leads to disjointed experiences, where crucial plot points are skipped or missed entirely due to bugs and synchronization issues. Overall, while the narrative has potential and offers engaging moments, it suffers from pacing problems and a lack of depth compared to previous entries in the Dark Pictures Anthology series.
- “I am a fan of Supermassive games and their story-driven movie-like adventures.”
- “The story is interesting, and they've done well to get the games out consistently.”
- “The story is great and it's interesting enough to keep me going.”
- “The game's story needed much more depth in order to realize the fantasy of a 'murder house', which it fell short of.”
- “The story is pure illogical nonsense.”
- “The story was very weak and the atmosphere wasn't scary, dark, or anything.”
gameplay
421 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
68%
13%
The gameplay in "The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting the introduction of new mechanics such as an inventory system, hiding, and traversal options like vaulting and climbing. However, these additions are often criticized for being poorly implemented, underutilized, or simply unnecessary, leading to a frustrating experience marred by bugs and awkward controls. While some players appreciate the attempt to innovate, the overall consensus suggests that the gameplay feels more like a collection of unrefined mechanics rather than a cohesive and engaging experience.
- “Me and my friends have spent countless hours of fun with the sandbox mechanics and playing roleplay scenarios.”
- “There are several new mechanics that make it feel much more distinct than previous entries, as well as increase the agency of the player.”
- “I loved the improved gameplay features in this game and the added inventory!”
- “These games would have potential, but there's precious little actual gameplay.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are terrible; sometimes you can't even move right in the game, hitting all the corners and walls, and in some places, you can barely see in front of you using the flashlight.”
- “The general fear this game produces in the first two hours is quickly overcome with frustrations as game mechanics get worse.”
stability
419 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
98%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder the gameplay experience. Many have described it as a "buggy mess," with issues ranging from visual glitches and character animations to game-breaking bugs, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players managed to enjoy the story and gameplay despite these problems, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial fixes to reach a playable state.
- “The positive I'll give it though: we both played through this on a Steam Deck each (one OLED and one LCD) and the game runs great at 11W TDP limit and a 30fps lock.”
- “Other than that, I experienced no glitches in a 9-hour playthrough.”
- “It was not buggy at all for me, and I thought the whole game was really entertaining and enjoyable.”
- “The game is a buggy nightmare.”
- “This game is a buggy mess, and not in a funny way.”
- “The game is ridiculously buggy, can't change camera views, can't turn with the character, the aim and trigger event doesn't always register, just to name a few bug encounters on the first section of the game.”
graphics
183 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
52%
8%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the realistic visuals and detailed environments that enhance the horror experience. However, numerous players report significant issues, including graphical glitches, poor lip-syncing, and overall performance problems that detract from immersion. While some consider the graphics to be a step forward in certain aspects, others feel they fall short compared to previous entries in the series, leading to a generally polarized reception.
- “The realistic visuals, grotesque scenes, and ever-present sense of being hunted intensify the fear, making 'The Devil in Me' a psychologically intense, emotionally draining, yet exhilarating horror experience.”
- “The visuals in 'The Devil in Me' were stunning, with detailed environments and realistic character models that brought the game to life in a way that added to the overall sense of dread and unease.”
- “Graphically, the game is really beautiful, with superb lighting and very detailed environments.”
- “Crashed maybe six times, graphics are terrible, lip syncing is off, voice acting is middling.”
- “The graphics are mediocre at best, with poor lighting and awkward animations.”
- “I wasted 7 hours of my life; this game is the worst one in the series, the graphics have somehow gotten a downgrade.”
atmosphere
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
6%
The game's atmosphere is frequently described as eerie and immersive, effectively creating a sense of dread through chilling sound design and visuals. While many players appreciate the captivating and spine-chilling environment, some criticize inconsistencies in tension and depth compared to previous installments. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the horror experience, despite some technical issues and mixed opinions on character development.
- “From the outset, the game’s eerie atmosphere, chilling sound design, and sense of dread create a terrifying environment that hooks the player.”
- “The atmosphere is creepier than ever; the music, the lighting, and the setting were on point.”
- “The atmosphere of being in a murder hotel, in dark and gloomy areas, sneaking around and avoiding a non-merciful serial killer, to me, is just brilliant.”
- “The atmosphere lacks the tension and depth that made House of Ashes so compelling.”
- “Additionally, compared to previous installments, the cinematic quality and atmosphere have seriously declined in this part.”
- “The story was very weak and the atmosphere wasn't scary, dark, or anything.”
optimization
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
49%
30%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and bugs, particularly on the Steam Deck and PC. While some users experienced smooth gameplay, others noted that the game felt rushed and poorly optimized compared to previous titles from the studio. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game requires further optimization to enhance the gaming experience.
- “This game is listed as 'verified' but here is my Steam Deck performance feedback after spending over 35 hours.”
- “To my own surprise, the game runs flawlessly even at max settings, so the optimization is great and there shouldn’t be any issue even with older hardware.”
- “And in terms of Steam Deck performance, if you play in handheld mode and lock the refresh rate to 40fps, it runs quite smoothly throughout the game.”
- “The performance of this forsaken creation is likewise unspeakably poor.”
- “The game is Steam Deck verified, but at times performance is really bad, even with everything set to low there is a large percentage of time where the frame rate is around 20-25fps. It has a hard time staying at 40fps even, generally more like 36-38fps most of the time, there is a lot of stutter, especially when entering new areas.”
- “This is not a PC or bad hardware situation, it's a game which was delivered in an unoptimized state.”
humor
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
5%
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous bugs and glitches, which often lead to unintentionally funny moments, such as characters getting stuck in awkward poses or animations. While some players found these moments entertaining, they also noted that the game's buggy nature detracted from the overall experience, making it feel rushed and unfinished. Overall, the humor seems to shine best in a multiplayer setting, where friends can share laughs over the absurdities, though it often overshadows the intended horror elements.
- “Co-op in this chapter was quite hilarious when there are important acts the game pauses for other players.”
- “The bugs were funny for the most part, but the game crashing twice near the end meant I literally couldn't finish the game, so I had to watch the ending on YouTube.”
- “There were cut-scenes that made me burst out laughing because the character doesn't turn their flashlight/lighter off when they're hiding, so it's super obvious that you're hiding there.”
- “The characters are just plain stupid, and not in a funny way. The lack of lore only makes it worse, and the new mechanics feel like a tedious chore.”
- “The humor falls flat with characters that are more annoying than amusing, and the gameplay mechanics are just a slog.”
- “Instead of clever jokes, we get mindless characters and tedious mechanics that drain any potential for humor.”
music
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
35%
9%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension, particularly in horror moments. While some found the soundtrack fitting and immersive, others described it as forgettable or overshadowed by technical issues. Overall, the audio design is noted as one of the stronger aspects of the game, contributing significantly to the eerie ambiance and emotional impact.
- “The atmosphere is creepier than ever, the music, the lighting, and the setting were on point.”
- “And let's not forget the wonderful music, perfectly curated to fit the atmosphere of the story and transport me further into the dark and twisted world.”
- “The music was used to perfection, and the ambient background noise, like things falling over, tree limbs rubbing overhead, just added to the already oppressive atmosphere of the game.”
- “This game and the previous ones are just jumpscares after jumpscares with loud music.”
- “Conversely, the soundtrack was quite forgettable, and the body and idle animations of the characters feel rather lifeless most of the time.”
- “The music was just tense for no apparent reason while you scoured the empty rooms and hallways to try and read a bunch of useless information that was thrown at you while you tried your best to navigate with the awful controls.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
60%
16%
Character development in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers noting its minimal presence and lack of depth. Players expressed disappointment in the superficial relationships and predictable character arcs, often feeling no emotional attachment to the characters. While a few reviews acknowledged some positive moments in character development, the overall consensus is that it falls short compared to previous entries in the series, leading to a disjointed and unsatisfying narrative experience.
- “The character development is noteworthy, adding depth to the overall immersion.”
- “The story is fantastic, the acting is wonderful, character development is great, and the visuals are stunning.”
- “There are some cringe-worthy lines of dialogue throughout, but also plenty of great character development moments and memorable lines, encouraging me to consider my options carefully to ensure they all survived the ordeal.”
- “Story and character development felt rather undercooked.”
- “Throughout the entirety of this game, character development is kept to a bare minimum.”
- “The theme was great, it had a Saw vibe to it, but one thing with this specific game is that there wasn't a lot of character development, whether they all lived or not.”
replayability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The game's replayability is generally praised for its branching paths, multiple endings, and the impact of player choices, which encourage players to explore different outcomes. The multiplayer mode also enhances the experience, allowing friends to engage together. However, some players find the replay value limited due to linear gameplay and pacing issues, with a few expressing that the game lacks the depth needed for multiple playthroughs.
- “The branching paths and multiple endings added a layer of replayability that I truly appreciated, as my choices had real consequences on the outcome of the story.”
- “Whether it be new dialogue or a new ending, Dark Pictures games are very replayable, and I usually just spend hours on each game getting achievements, and yet almost none of the cut scenes feel the same; they are almost always different in some aspect.”
- “Finally, there are a number of collectibles and mutually exclusive achievements to earn, which provide a good amount of replayability.”
- “I am a big fan of the Dark Pictures Anthology, but this one is not interesting or replayable.”
- “Furthermore, this game is the shortest of the series, making these drawn-out sequences of linear interactivity feel less like improvements to gameplay and more like a waste of time for the player that detracts from replayability.”
- “Also, it has little replay value because it takes around an hour just to get inside the main building to set down the equipment, and it's just a boring game in general after the first playthrough.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
8%
79%
The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious and repetitive, often described as a chore rather than an engaging experience. Players express frustration with slow-paced platforming, inconsequential item collection, and boring puzzles that extend playtime without adding value, leading to a lack of motivation to continue. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant detractor from the game's enjoyment, with many feeling it requires excessive time investment for minimal reward.
- “Time for grinding will be required.”
- “You'll be grinding a lot.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Nothing is difficult, it's all just tedious.”
- “The entire first hour of this game beyond the prologue is slow, tedious platforming with nothing of interest happening - while when you get to the hotel things start to pick up, there are far too many segments where you are just wandering around rooms, picking up things which are completely inconsequential to the rest of the game or the story.”
- “This game is full of tedious walking and crawling sections that are there just to extend the playtime.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it to be a psychologically intense and exhilarating experience that leaves them feeling drained, others criticize the lack of character development and emotional attachment, leading to indifference towards the characters' fates. The game's mechanics and story can evoke fear and tension, but many reviewers feel that the emotional connections are poorly executed, resulting in frustration rather than engagement. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, with some feeling genuinely disturbed and others left wanting more depth.
- “The realistic visuals, grotesque scenes, and ever-present sense of being hunted intensify the fear, making 'The Devil in Me' a psychologically intense, emotionally draining, yet exhilarating horror experience.”
- “By the time I reached the conclusion, I was physically and emotionally drained, but I couldn’t deny how exhilarating the experience had been.”
- “The game itself is pretty frightening at times, and that's coming from a guy that doesn't get scared easily, which is amazing when you make the right decisions but also heartbreaking when you don't.”
- “Boring story, boring characters, boring villain.”
- “Camera angle and the poor choices lead to a boring storyline.”
- “Buggy mechanics and a boring story make for a frustrating experience.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of "The Devil in Me" has been criticized as a disappointing and overpriced cash grab, with users feeling that the game's pricing does not reflect its value, especially given its status as the season 1 finale of the Dark Pictures Anthology.
- “Disappointing cash grab.”
- “Overpriced cash grab.”
- “In this state, this is nothing more than a shamelessly overpriced cash grab.”