π’ RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN! π’
Ok, now hide, shhhhh! π€
We're finally onto different horror franchises! Might as well continue with the series that brought back to this once-dying genre. Believe it or not, horror games were on a steep decline until this beauty reinvigorated the genre by innovating in only the ways indie devs can.
SoβοΈ In this edition of Through the Lens π, we'll be taking a look at Frictional Games mega successful indie horror game from 2010: Amnesia: The Dark Descent, βοΈ
(we'll be covering the rest of the franchise as well)
Roll it! π½
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π· UP TOP πΆ
I've talked about the unlistenable quality of horror game soundtracks, well Amnesia takes the cake in that department. π Any Resident Evil OST is more sit down and chill with than Amnesia's OST. It's perfect for its in-game use, but outside of that...
Maybe you can try it while writing the long-overdue horror novel you've always wanted to write. π€·ββοΈ
Not sure if you were around in the gaming scene when this thing dropped, but Amnesia took the gaming world by storm. It was the first viral outbreak on YouTube from the gaming sphere. Everyone and their grandma were making scary reactions to it. It became such a success that it elevated a title to heights I doubt the small indie dev studio from Sweeden ever expected. π
I was hooked from jump street. Amnesia's design was so novel at the time. Today, it's par for the course. That should tell you the kind of title we're discussing today. A trendsetter. And you know I love discussing those types of games. So let's see what made Amnesia so special, and why it brought in a new wave of horror enthusiasts.
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π· RUN AND HIDE πΆ
A small indie dev, and we're talking sub 10 people small here, make a competent product by cutting corners. And boy did Frictional Games use that to their advantage. The cut corners here are what make the game, the game. They are what brought it to the forefront, and what made it such a juggernaut in the hearts and minds of millions.
There is no combat in Amnesia. You see a baddie, you run. It's simple hide-and-seek gameplay when you boil it down. However, until then every other horror game gave you some sort of weapon. Here, there's nothing. π«
The devs have talked about how the lack of response to the enemies is where the true terror comes from. And that's true. You are much more frightened by the threat you cannot fight against than the enemy you have a chance of head shotting. π Psychologically, it works. And development time wise it works even more so. No need to make a combat system - funds can be redistributed into something else.
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π· DIRECTION πΆ
The art direction for such a budget is surprisingly well executed. The sound design in particular is something Amnesia brought in spades. Layer upon layer of sound to make you feel like something is just around the corner, when 90% of the time it ain't. This will be used, and quality as a detriment in the sequel, but we are not there yet. π For now we are in the cozy times of 2010, and AAmnesia is on everyone's mind.
It stayed in people's minds because it was competently made. Scares aside - the story was decent. More than serviceable for what they are trying to accomplish. I have to admit, Frictional really stepped up their game in the story department with their future projects. Compared to them Amnesia is definitely the worst. But again, not bad by any means.
Voice acting, what little of it there is, is great. The few characters given the opportunity to flex their muscles in this low-budget indie horror game did just that. π This in combination with the competently made cthulhu-esc story actually makes Amnesia more than a gimmick game.
In addition, the many set pieces littered throughout its run time, prove at an early stage that Frictional has a flare for the dramatic. I cannot wait to speak on their other titles where this is even more profound. The monsters do get less scary as the game goes on, but that is to be expected. The character is also less scared, and at that point they are more of an annoyance than anything else.
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π· LEGACY πΆ
The term trendsetter does not do it justice. There would be no Resident Evil 7 without Amnesia. Which is wild to say, but it's true. π There would be no Outlast, no Laters of Fear. Amnesia's impact was so large that it ascended to the likes of Doom and Diablo; StarCraft and Castlevania. You might think me crazy, but in terms of impact on its genre - it's right up there. π―
I believe it will be remembered forever. It is in that echelon of games. It's legacy is set in stone and no one can take that away from it. Frictional is still functioning all these years later because of its success. π That alone should tell you the type of success we're talking about.
If you like horror games, and you haven't tried Amnesia out, you owe it to yourself. It's a smidge dated, granted. But more than playable. π
Thank you for reading, you rock! (and maybe roll) πππ
Shout-out to the πPIZZAπ gang, π€ gang. π€
Next up we'll be covering the small DLC-like expansion Amnesia: Justine. For many of you, this might come as a surprise, but I feel this little gem deserves a spotlight all to its own. It's a very special game, and IMHO the best in the series. We have to cover it before moving on to A Machine For Pigs.
But we will for sure do most of Frictional's games before moving on to other horror titles. As I said, we will probably reach October by the number of horror games I've played. π
π Follow me on my HIVE blog π
I hope you are having an amazing week! π
Return from Amnesia: The Dark Descent π½ Through the Lens to ΠΠΎΡΠΊΠΎ's Web3 Blog
