It seemed that Resident Evil had strayed from it’s roots. The series had moved from horror to a more action based experience. Was there still a place for survival horror? Bethesda and Tango Gameworks thought so, and created a new world with the director of the original RE. The Evil Within was a horror game with action elements, not the other way around.
Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his team is dispatched to Beacon Mental Hospital. Walking through the doors, they find a slaughterhouse of bodies. A mysterious man knocks him out and Sebastian finds himself in increasing bizarre worlds. Starting to lose his sanity and forced to deal with supernatural threats, Sebastian must find his team, escape and unravel the story of the mysterious Ruvak.
The visuals are striking. The worlds of The Evil Within range from claustrophobic rooms to wide open city spaces. The introduction to this is a slaughter house where you can almost smell the stench. One of my favorites areas is a city that survived a earthquake. It is daylight, but it is terrifying from the zombie like people to the thing that seems to lived in the flooded streets. The bosses are straight nightmare fuel.
The story of The Evil Within proceeds through cut scenes and finding notes around the world. There is much more going on with Sebastian and his team then simply a routine call. The safe area is one of the best in games. You are aided by a strange nurse who gives cryptic comments. Two large walls of lockers which can be opened with keys. And of course, the update skill tree. Sitting in a chair, you select what skills you want and needles are shot into your brain.
The Evil Within was not a perfect game, but the bones were very strong. The sequel would improve on the mechanics, specifically fixing the always on letter boxing. Since Halloween is just around the corner, this game can give you the thrills you are looking for. The game earns it’s place in great survival horror.
