The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me

The narrative of The Devil in Me is praised for its intriguing premise rooted in the historical figure H.H. Holmes and his infamous "Murder Castle," which provides a compelling backdrop for horror storytelling. Critics like RPG Fan and VG247 highlight its engaging blend of true crime and classic horror influences, noting that the game effectively weaves real-life events with fictionalized tension. The story’s focus on a documentary crew trapped in a replica hotel is seen as a strong foundation, with some reviewers—such as COGconnected and Games.cz—praising its psychological depth and attention to detail. Additionally, the game’s ability to raise questions about the glorification of serial killers and its thematic exploration of fear are lauded by several critics, including VG247, who commend its thought-provoking approach. The narrative also benefits from moments of suspense and twists that keep players invested, as noted by Digital Chumps and Xbox Achievements, who highlight the unsettling atmosphere and satisfying finales. However, the game faces significant criticism for its execution, particularly in character development and pacing. Many reviewers, including Shacknews, TierraGamer, and New Game Network, argue that the characters are one-dimensional or poorly fleshed out, leading to a lack of emotional engagement. The plot is frequently described as predictable, with arbitrary decision outcomes and weak dilemmas that fail to surprise players. For instance, GamesHub and IGN Italia criticize the reliance on borrowed tropes from The Shining and Saw, while TierraGamer and Jeuxvideo.com point out that the first three hours feel tedious due to filler content. Additionally, the narrative’s pacing issues—such as slow buildup and uneven tension—are highlighted by multiple critics, including JeuxActu and GAMES.CH, who note that the story loses momentum and struggles with thematic overreach. The lack of originality in plot reveals and character motivations further detracts from the experience, as mentioned by CGMagazine and IGN France. Despite mixed reactions, the overall consensus among critics is that The Devil in Me has a strong premise but falls short in execution. While it succeeds in creating an atmospheric horror experience and leveraging historical inspiration—as noted by RPG Fan and Games.cz—the game’s flaws in character development, pacing, and originality prevent it from reaching its full potential. Some reviewers, like Screen Rant and Twinfinite, acknowledge its improvements over previous entries in the Dark Pictures Anthology, but others, such as Press Start Australia and Vandal, feel it feels safe and underwhelming compared to earlier installments. The game’s ability to balance true crime elements with horror tropes is a point of contention, with some praising its creativity (e.g., COGconnected) while others find it unoriginal (e.g., IGN Italia). Ultimately, the critical reception reflects a divide between those who appreciate its thematic ambition and those who feel it fails to deliver on its promises.

The gameplay of The Devil in Me receives mixed praise, with several reviewers highlighting incremental improvements over previous entries in the Dark Pictures Anthology. Critics like IGN Portugal and GameCritics note that the game introduces new mechanics such as inventory systems, platforming elements, and more dynamic character interactions, offering a sense of progression. TheXboxHub and MGG commend the addition of hiding mechanics, climbing, and puzzle-solving, which add variety to the survival horror formula. We Got This Covered and MeuPlayStation emphasize enhanced exploration and player agency, with improved movement options and interactive environments that make the experience feel more "videogame-y." The inclusion of decision-making that impacts character fates, as noted by Generación Xbox, also adds replayability, while GameCritics praises the expanded narrative depth through graphic adventure-style elements like platforming and puzzles. These positives suggest a game that, despite its flaws, attempts to evolve its core mechanics. However, the gameplay is frequently criticized for technical shortcomings and underdeveloped features. App Trigger and Oyungezer highlight sluggish character animations, unresponsive controls, and outdated quick-time events (QTEs), which detract from immersion. Comicbook.com and Adventure Game Hotspot point to choppy movements, lack of eye contact, and repetitive environments that make exploration feel tedious. RPG Fan and Finger Guns criticize new mechanics like photography and inventory systems for feeling half-baked or purposeless, while IGN and GamePro Germany note that environmental puzzles and unengaging sections undermine the horror experience. PC Games and Checkpoint Gaming also mention frustrating choices with unclear consequences, and Siliconera points to camera issues that further disrupt immersion. These critiques reveal a game struggling to balance innovation with polish, leaving many mechanics feeling incomplete or poorly integrated. Overall, critics agree that The Devil in Me is an incremental step forward for the series but fails to fully capitalize on its potential. While IGN Portugal and GameCritics praise its expanded mechanics and narrative depth, the majority of reviews emphasize that these improvements are overshadowed by technical flaws and underdeveloped features. App Trigger, Oyungezer, and Adventure Game Hotspot represent the negative sentiment, highlighting how sluggish controls and repetitive gameplay undermine the experience. Meanwhile, TheXboxHub and MGG acknowledge the game’s attempts to innovate but note that these additions often feel superficial compared to previous titles. The consensus is that The Devil in Me offers a familiar formula with some worthwhile tweaks, but its execution falls short of delivering a truly engaging or polished horror experience.

The graphics and visual design of The Devil in Me received praise for its atmospheric environments, attention to detail, and immersive settings. Critics like VG247 highlighted the "beautiful recreation of The World's Fair Hotel," emphasizing its attention to detail and references to cult horror cinema. CGMagazine lauded the "captivating" lighting, shading, and cinematic shots, while Digitally Downloaded praised the "expertly-rendered setting" of the World’s Hair Hotel for building claustrophobia and unease. The game’s use of lighting, such as flashlight effects, was noted as innovative by PLAY! Zine, and IGN Spain commended its coherent, detailed environments that enhance the horror experience. Additionally, some critics, like RPG Fan, acknowledged improved facial motion capture technology, calling it the "best-looking entry" in the series despite minor issues. The game’s settings, particularly the hotel and mansion, were frequently praised for their eerie, immersive quality. However, several critics highlighted significant flaws in character animations, facial expressions, and technical consistency. Hooked Gamers criticized "stilted animations and awkward camera cuts," while SpazioGames and Gameblog.fr pointed to "unrealistic" facial animations and "lifeless eyes" that detracted from emotional engagement. Shacknews noted "glitchy facial animations and clay-like character models," and PC Games described the uncanny valley effect caused by inconsistent animation quality. Technical issues, such as "repetitive" environments (Multiplayer.it) and "awkward transitions between scenes" (Push Square), further undermined the experience. GameByte called the graphics "undercooked," while Jeuxvideo.com and Vandal criticized rigid character animations and abrupt scene shifts that broke immersion. These issues created a stark contrast between the game’s strong environmental design and its weaker character presentation. Overall, critics acknowledged The Devil in Me as a visually ambitious entry with notable strengths in atmospheric settings and environmental design, but its technical inconsistencies and subpar character animations held it back from excellence. While VG247, IGN Spain, and CGMagazine celebrated its immersive worlds and lighting, many others, including Game Rant and Hobby Consolas, pointed to uneven quality across the game’s visuals. The consensus leaned toward a mixed reception: the game’s environments were praised as some of the series’ best, but character animations and technical polish remained problematic. As IGN noted, the mansion’s "richly detailed" design enhanced horror, yet "exploration often felt sedated." Despite these flaws, the game’s visual ambition and atmospheric depth earned it recognition as a step forward for the series, albeit with significant room for improvement in execution.

The Sound Design and Music of The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric contributions to the horror experience. Critics like Adventure Game Hotspot praised the background music for complementing the spooky atmosphere, with intense pieces enhancing chase scenes, while Cubed3 highlighted the "eerie ambience" and the iconic series theme ‘Oh Death’ as epic. Finger Guns and Games.cz emphasized the effective use of ambient sounds over jump scares, creating a sustained sense of tension. The audio design also shone in specific mechanics, such as CGMagazine’s mention of Erin’s mini boom microphone, which heightened immersion when using headphones, and XboxEra’s appreciation for "discordant snatches of music" and "top-class atmospherics." Many reviewers, including IGN Spain and Vandal, noted that the sound design significantly elevated the horror experience, with well-timed cues and atmospheric textures that kept players on edge. However, several critics pointed out notable flaws. Game Rant mentioned audio bugs that altered a character’s voice, while IGN Adria criticized the musical score as "forgettable," despite praising the sound effects’ texture. RPG Fan found the music lacking originality, preferring a different stylistic approach than previous entries, and JeuxActu noted subpar voice acting compared to earlier titles. Issues with localization also arose, such as Jeuxvideo.com and MGG pointing out unlocalized French voice acting and lip-syncing problems. Additionally, PLAY! Zine and New Game Network highlighted inconsistencies in audio quality, with some scenes suffering from poor sound effects or excessive character grunting. KeenGamer also felt the music occasionally felt "too obvious," while SomosXbox described the sound design as "slightly lacking" in a "canned" quality, though not severely detracting from the experience. Overall, the consensus among critics was that the Sound Design and Music were a strong pillar of The Devil in Me, effectively enhancing its horror atmosphere despite some imperfections. While GamingTrend and PC Invasion lauded the sound design as "excellent" and "crucial" for building tension, others like IGN France and Everyeye.it acknowledged minor flaws but still deemed it a key strength. The mix of eerie ambience, impactful jump scares, and standout audio moments (such as Xbox Achievements’ praise for "unsettling noises") created a cohesive horror experience. However, the occasional issues with originality, voice acting, and technical glitches prevented it from being universally flawless. Critics like Adventure Game Hotspot and Games.cz ultimately saw the sound design as a defining feature, balancing innovation with the series’ established horror tropes to deliver a memorable auditory journey.

The voice acting in The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me receives generally positive acclaim, with many critics highlighting the talent of its cast and their contributions to character depth. Notable performances include Jessie Buckley’s work as Erin the intern, praised for its emotional resonance by Push Square and RPG Fan, and Paul Kaye’s portrayal of Charlie, described as "magnificent" by COGconnected and "distinctive" by Game Rant. Games.cz and PlayStation Universe commend specific standout roles, such as the librarian and Jamie (Gloria Obianyo), while IGN Adria notes that even unlikable characters benefit from strong voice work. The cast’s chemistry and ability to convey personality are frequently praised, with Checkmate Gaming and CGMagazine highlighting believable dialogue and a "family dynamic" that enhances immersion. These positives suggest the voice acting elevates the narrative, particularly when paired with well-defined character arcs. However, several critics point to shortcomings in the voice acting’s impact, often tied to broader issues with writing or technical execution. Adventure Game Hotspot and Gameblog.fr argue that even talented performers struggle to create emotional connections due to weak character dynamics or poor scriptwriting. IGN and Finger Guns criticize flat delivery and lack of warmth, while Jeuxvideo.com and IGN France note synchronization issues and localization problems that detract from immersion. Hooked Gamers and TierraGamer describe performances as "unintentionally comedic" or "exaggerated," respectively, suggesting some lines fail to land effectively. Additionally, GamesHub points out that voice acting is underutilized, with actors like Buckley not given enough material to fully showcase their range. These critiques highlight a disconnect between the cast’s efforts and the game’s narrative execution. Overall, the consensus leans toward appreciation for the voice acting’s quality and the performers’ dedication, even as technical or creative flaws temper its effectiveness. While Xbox Tavern and SomosXbox praise the "entertaining interplay" and "unique charms" of characters, others like IGN France and Jeuxvideo.com note persistent issues with localization and pacing. The game’s voice acting is frequently described as a strong asset—particularly for its star-studded cast—but its ability to fully engage audiences is often undermined by uneven writing or technical inconsistencies. Despite these challenges, the performances remain a standout element, with many critics agreeing that the talent on display elevates the experience even when other aspects fall short.

The technical performance of The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me varies across platforms, with some notable positives. On the PS5, several critics highlighted smoother gameplay and improved stability compared to earlier entries in the series. For instance, IGN France praised its "smooth performance on PC" and support for advanced graphics features like ray tracing, while GameSpew and The Games Machine noted a "solid framerate" and "stable frame rate in performance mode." On PC, despite widespread issues, some reviewers acknowledged strengths: IGN France mentioned "good performance" with ray tracing enabled, and Gaming Nexus observed that "performance issues on Ultra settings" could be resolved by lowering graphics. The Xbox Series X also saw positive feedback, with ZTGD stating the game was "stable with no bugs or crashes," and MGG noting its use of Unreal Engine 4 for "technical stability." Additionally, Adventure Game Hotspot praised the PS5 version for "no major technical issues" and maintaining "expected production values." However, the negatives across platforms were more pervasive. On PS5, critics like Finger Guns and GameCritics cited animation stiffness, visual glitches, and loading screen interruptions that disrupted immersion. Xbox Series X faced criticism for online co-op instability, with Xbox Tavern noting "buggy online co-op mode" and character flickering. On PC, the issues were more severe: VG247 and SECTOR.sk highlighted performance hiccups, dialogue bugs, and non-functional items, while Oyungezer and GamingTrend reported frame rate drops and audio artifacts. The PS4 version fared poorly overall, with Siliconera and IGN Portugal citing graphics/textural issues, long load times, and "significant performance problems." Even on the PS5, Push Square and Jeuxvideo.com pointed to texture loading glitches and awkward camera transitions, while Game Rant criticized inconsistent animations and "lack of continuity in character knowledge." Overall, the consensus among critics was that The Devil in Me suffered from technical shortcomings across all platforms, though some systems fared better than others. The PS5 received mixed reviews, with positives like improved stability (per IGN France) but also persistent issues like animation glitches (as noted by Finger Guns and Push Square). PC faced the most widespread criticism, with repeated mentions of bugs, performance inconsistencies, and graphical flaws from outlets like VG247, SECTOR.sk, and GamingTrend. While some platforms, such as Xbox Series X (per ZTGD) and PS5 (per Adventure Game Hotspot), showed relative stability, the game’s technical polish was generally seen as lacking compared to previous titles in the series. Despite occasional praise for optimization fixes or minor improvements, the majority of reviewers agreed that the game required further refinement to meet expectations, particularly on PC and older hardware.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me receives mixed but generally positive remarks regarding its replay value, with several critics highlighting its branching narratives and multiple endings as key attractions. Reviewers like IGN Spain and GamePro Germany emphasize that the game’s branching paths and player choices create significant opportunities for exploration, encouraging players to revisit scenarios to uncover different outcomes. Xbox Achievements and Games.cz note the multiplayer mode and varied endings as strong incentives for replayability, while TheGamer and Checkpoint Gaming praise the game’s ability to let players manipulate storylines through decisions, making multiple playthroughs appealing. Additionally, features like collectibles (e.g., XboxEra’s mention of hidden premonition pictures) and modes such as the Curator’s Cut (Gamers’ Temple) add layers of engagement for fans of the series. However, several critics point to notable drawbacks that diminish replay value. Shacknews criticizes the cumbersome process of replaying scenes, which requires overwriting saves or starting anew, deterring achievement hunters. Dexerto and GameSkinny argue that binary traps and weak decision-making mechanics reduce player agency, making choices feel less impactful. IGN Adria and RPG Fan highlight bland characters and predictable outcomes as major flaws, while Jeuxvideo.com and PC Invasion note that basic puzzles and lackluster storytelling fail to sustain long-term interest. TierraGamer and SECTOR.sk also mention the tedious early hours and underdeveloped character relationships, which could discourage players from revisiting the game despite its structural replayability elements. Overall, the consensus leans toward a balanced view: while the game offers enough mechanics—such as multiple endings, multiplayer options, and choice-driven narratives—to justify replays for some, these are often undermined by repetitive gameplay, shallow character development, and design flaws. IGN Spain and GamePro Germany stand out as strong advocates for its replay value, whereas critics like RPG Fan and IGN Adria express skepticism about its long-term appeal. The divide reflects the game’s potential for fans of the series versus its limitations in delivering a cohesive or engaging experience across multiple playthroughs. Ultimately, while the game provides tools for replayability, its execution leaves room for improvement, making it a polarizing entry in the anthology.