The Evil Within

About

"The Evil Within" is a third-person survival horror game that follows detective Sebastian Castellanos as he investigates a gruesome mass murder. He soon becomes trapped in a nightmarish world where grotesque beings lurk around every corner, and must use stealth, strategy, and resource management to survive. The game features a dark and atmospheric setting, challenging gameplay, and a complex narrative filled with unexpected twists.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,601 reviews

story861 positive mentions

optimization107 negative mentions

The game has a captivating atmosphere and excellent enemy design, creating a genuinely unsettling experience.
The gameplay mechanics, including resource management and the upgrade system, add depth and strategy to the survival horror experience.
The story, while complex and sometimes confusing, is intriguing and keeps players engaged throughout the game.

The PC port is poorly optimized, leading to technical issues such as crashes, low frame rates, and a lack of graphical options.
The game features frustrating mechanics, including one-hit kill enemies and clunky controls that can detract from the overall experience.
The narrative can feel disjointed and lacks clarity, making it difficult for players to fully understand the plot without playing the DLCs.

story
2,768 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The story of "The Evil Within" is often described as convoluted and confusing, with many players finding it difficult to follow without engaging with the game's collectibles and DLCs, which provide essential context and backstory. While some appreciate the psychological horror elements and the unique narrative twists, others criticize the plot for being disjointed and lacking depth, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall coherence and character development. Despite these criticisms, many players still find the story intriguing and worth exploring, especially when considering the atmospheric and immersive gameplay experience it offers.
- “The evil within is a game that captivates you with its dark plot and tense atmosphere.”
- “I've thoroughly enjoyed playing this and was pleasantly surprised with how well written the story is.”
- “The story, though a little hard to follow, does allow for a world where these creepy, crazy enemies can exist and hunt you down.”
- “The story is a confusing mindfuck, but I love it. I loved being confused about everything and finding out more throughout the game; every character is absolutely fantastic. Everyone says Sebastian is flat, but his backstory is interesting and his looks make up for it; he is just a man!”
- “The story is extremely convoluted and hard to follow, and eventually about halfway through the game I pretty much gave up on the story because there was no plot progression at all and these characters are all very lifeless and have no personality.”
- “The story is a mess in the most literal way possible. All the best this game has to offer is shocking visuals that get boring after you're used to it, and a confusing story that doesn't hook you in enough to be motivated to grind through this miserable experience.”
gameplay
1,670 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
60%
12%
The gameplay of "The Evil Within" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarities to classic survival horror titles like "Resident Evil 4." While some appreciate the strategic resource management and the blend of stealth and action mechanics, others criticize the clunky controls, frustrating one-hit kill mechanics, and inconsistent enemy AI that can detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game is often praised for its atmospheric design and engaging combat, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre, albeit with some caveats regarding its execution.
- “The gameplay is a symphony of survival, a challenge that tests the mind and sends the adrenaline soaring.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly fun, hitting those headshots once you upgrade the revolver has become my new favorite activity.”
- “The gameplay shines because you have many options with which to approach a situation.”
- “Interesting story but I cannot recommend the game because of the gameplay and the amount of monsters that can instakill.”
- “It has a base to be a great game, but any game where the boss encounters are just one-shot dead mechanics is just lazy design to me.”
- “The gameplay is a mixture of shooting, stealth, and puzzle solving, but the mechanics are outdated and feel clunky.”
graphics
928 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
8%
The graphics of "The Evil Within" have received mixed reviews, with many praising the game's dark, atmospheric visuals that effectively convey horror and tension. While some players find the graphics to be stunning and well-crafted, especially for a game released in 2014, others criticize them as dated and poorly optimized, leading to performance issues and graphical glitches. Overall, the aesthetic is often described as a blend of grotesque beauty and unsettling environments, though the lack of graphical options and inconsistencies in quality have left some players disappointed.
- “The game's graphics are made in dark colors, creating a mood of horror and tension.”
- “The graphics resemble a painting of horror, with each detail enhancing the grim beauty of this nightmare landscape.”
- “The graphics are a mixed bag, but the unique art style and the panache with which the game deploys its visuals become more apparent.”
- “Warning: this is a third-person game with graphics as if they were made in the last century.”
- “The graphics have not aged well (resolution looks really bad even on the highest settings), 60fps cap, the UI and HUD are really glitchy, and the letterbox (even when disabled) style video format is hard to look at.”
- “The graphics are terrible with low resolution textures and poor shadows.”
atmosphere
655 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
2%
The atmosphere in "The Evil Within" is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively blending elements of psychological horror with a gothic aesthetic reminiscent of classic survival horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of dread through its detailed environments, eerie sound design, and unique enemy designs, although some note that the atmosphere can wane during more action-oriented segments. Overall, the game is recognized for its strong atmospheric presence, which significantly enhances the horror experience despite some gameplay and narrative shortcomings.
- “The atmosphere in the game is unique: it evokes memories of the narrative style of a survival horror in the classic style of Resident Evil and the symbolic-representative style of Silent Hill.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, it doesn't focus on scares but the unsettling feel throughout.”
- “The atmosphere is so great that I have been scared many times.”
- “The atmosphere and story lose their impact before making it halfway through the game, and the game dragged on past that point.”
- “The atmosphere dies and the boss fights rely on very gimmicky mechanics.”
- “The atmosphere is lacking, the main villain looks like he'd be down from 1 hit, multiple events that could be potentially scary are so grotesque they are instead funny.”
optimization
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
47%
39%
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, with many reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and graphical glitches, even on high-end hardware. While some players have managed to achieve smoother gameplay through various tweaks and settings adjustments, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, making it frustrating for many. Overall, the lack of polish in the optimization significantly detracts from the gaming experience.
- “The evil within holds a place in my heart, while it admittedly is not the most polished game... it has a charm that many other horror games do not have. I originally played this back on the PS4 when it launched and it's 100 times better on the PC; the controls here are much better and the game is more optimized.”
- “Performance was solid for me, sticking to a locked 72fps maxed with only two instances where the frames dropped to 56fps.”
- “Atmospheric, graphics still look amazing, controls feel crisp and it is well optimized.”
- “The problem with playing on Steam/PC is the optimization, with plenty of errors such as low FPS, frame rate, and aspect ratio.”
- “A great game ruined by awful optimization.”
- “This game is really not optimized well, and runs poorly on my computer which can easily handle much better looking games.”
music
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
2%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, creating a sense of dread and tension that complements the horror elements. While some tracks, like "Clair de Lune," are highlighted as memorable, others are described as generic or forgettable, with a mix of slow ambient sounds and intense battle music. Overall, the soundtrack effectively contributes to the game's immersive experience, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact.
- “The soundtrack helps immerse you in the game world, evoking a sense of danger and anxiety.”
- “The game is actually terrifying and very dark, and the play of shadows, lights, and a great soundtrack only enhance it.”
- “The music, sound effects, and visuals are all very good; the game holds up well being 8 years old already.”
- “The music has that generic horror sound and is not memorable, and the enemies just don’t sound all that scary (besides some bosses).”
- “The soundtrack is dull and not memorable, and the story/characters are uninteresting.”
- “One final thing to note is the music; I found it so intrusive and boring that I ended up dropping the music setting in the menu and left it at 10% for the entire game, otherwise it's just too loud and distracting.”
stability
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, graphical glitches, and frequent crashes that hinder gameplay. Many users experienced issues such as freezing screens, unresponsive controls, and inconsistent performance, particularly on PC. While some players managed to troubleshoot and find temporary fixes, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from a lack of polish and optimization, making it frustrating for many to enjoy fully.
- “Good gameplay, decent graphics, no glitches (for me anyway).”
- “Performance-wise, this game runs great for me with everything maxed out (I have a GTX 980 SC and an i7 5930K 6 core @3.6). I was getting an average frame rate of 100fps.”
- “But the game for me runs great, not a single issue, and The Evil Within looks great on high settings too.”
- “Can't even play chapter 4 because it just shows a black screen and then when I finally do get a picture it freezes during the dialogue.”
- “This game is a buggy mess and has really bad map design.”
- “The game consistently freezes for me in chapter 4 and it has essentially stopped my progress.”
grinding
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
9%
88%
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players expressing dissatisfaction with repetitive gameplay, poor checkpoint systems, and unbalanced difficulty. Players often feel compelled to repeat sections multiple times due to instant-death mechanics and a lack of engaging story elements, leading to a sense of monotony that detracts from the overall experience. While some acknowledge moments of tension and excitement, the consensus is that the game suffers from excessive grind and a lack of rewarding gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “This game will heavily punish you if you don't tediously scavenge for loot.”
- “It's basically a reskin of RE4, but it's more grindy, the story is nowhere near as good, it's got a lot of jank, the difficulty is often poorly balanced, and the port is garbage.”
- “The gameplay overall is good, but there's just so much tedious stuff, specifically after you've just been executed for the tenth time, that it makes the rest not worth it.”
- “The game had potential but I found it boring and tedious to plow through.”
replayability
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its high replay value due to features like New Game Plus, multiple difficulty levels, and collectibles, which encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviewers noted issues such as clunkiness and a lack of incentive to replay after the initial experience, leading to a range of opinions on its overall replayability. Overall, while many find it enjoyable to revisit, others feel it lacks sufficient motivation for repeated plays.
- “But as a survival horror, the game shines due to its replayability and the knowledge of mechanics that can be taken out of the game, something that can easily provide a challenge even for experienced players of the survival horror genre.”
- “An incredible experience with a high replay value, well-executed lighting, dark, unpredictable world, as well great upgrade system without feeling too grindy.”
- “Great replay value.”
- “There's not much replayability here besides achievements and collectibles.”
- “First off, get this game if it's on sale since little to no replay value.”
- “This game is fairly scary and equally fun with a pretty interesting story but had no replay value after beating it for me since it no longer was scary after beating it once.”
humor
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in its absurdities, such as the ridiculous character interactions, unintentional comedic moments, and over-the-top scenarios. While some appreciate the cheesy one-liners and slapstick elements, others note that the humor often stems from the game's flaws, like jarring voice acting and inconsistent storytelling. Overall, the game elicits laughter through its bizarre situations and exaggerated gameplay, though this may detract from its intended horror experience.
- “A doctor and his crazy patient - now that's a funny duo you'll meet occasionally.”
- “The game also has a great sense of humor, with ridiculous boss fights that will have you laughing as you desperately try to stay alive.”
- “The story was questionable and a lot went unexplained... but none of that matters when you get the magnum and just instantly destroy monsters while laughing at their stupidity in challenging the power.”
character development
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
54%
26%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of depth and engagement in the storyline and character arcs. While some appreciate the character designs and the development of certain antagonists, the main protagonist and supporting characters often feel underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more backstory and emotional connection. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game excels in atmosphere and visual design, it falls short in delivering meaningful character development.
- “The game's visuals are a sight to behold, with grotesque, nightmarish landscapes and character designs that seem to have been plucked straight from the darkest corners of your imagination.”
- “They actually get some decent character development in the story and you start to understand why Ruvik is doing the things he is.”
- “The evil within is a spooktacular experience, with scary atmosphere and character design along with amazing map design creating a fun and challenging experience.”
- “The storyline has almost zero character development, and we never learned anything about Sebastian's wife, why she died (or if she died) and what her contribution to the game's storyline was.”
- “My issues with this game rely purely on the character development (or lack thereof) and stiff voice acting from the main cast, the visual effects, the performance of the game itself, and the conclusion of the game.”
- “Hours of cutscenes, never bringing anything new to the table, pointlessly obtuse storytelling with no character development, no one to root for, nothing to care for, a ham-fisted attempt at mystery.”
emotional
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players feeling deeply affected by its dark, psychological horror narrative and character arcs, while others find a lack of emotional investment due to inconsistent storytelling and character development. Many reviewers highlight moments of tension and heartbreak, particularly in key story elements, but also note that some characters feel emotionally flat, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from fear and unease to moments of genuine sadness, leaving players either emotionally drained or disconnected.
- “One of the most mind-twisting games with a bloody, yet heart-touching story.”
- “It's a heart-pounding, mind-bending, and utterly unforgettable experience that will leave you emotionally drained and thoroughly satisfied.”
- “The story made me so emotional because of how beautifully it was told.”
- “The closed world and stealth mechanics make for a total boring story. It might have been good for 2014, but it just isn't fun and doesn't motivate me to continue after 1-2 hours. I recommend playing the demo for free first, and if you like it, buy it on sale.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, particularly regarding its DLCs, which users describe as horrendous and misleading. While there are no microtransactions, the overall impression is that the game prioritizes profit over quality, leading to disappointment among players who feel misled by advertising.
- “There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience much more enjoyable.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to progress.”
- “The absence of microtransactions allows for a fair and balanced gameplay experience.”
- “Oh and all the DLCs are horrendous cash grabs.”
- “I will see how well Steam is about giving refunds because this game is just a blatant cash grab.”
- “The Evil Within is clearly a console game that was ported to PC as a cash grab.”