The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil In Me is Supermassive's fourth installment of their horror gaming series that caps off the end of their first season. The episodic choice-based game offers players branching paths in self-contained narratives following a variety of protagonists through horror-filled experiences, where the player's choices have consequences.
The Devil In Me focuses on a group of filmmakers who are trying to make an impact in the industry. They receive an enigmatic invitation inviting them to experience a modern reconstruction of H.H. Holmes's infamous serial killer house. With the protagonists jumping at the bit for the opportunity, they fail to recognize that not only is the location recreated, but so are the sadistic and vicious murders of America's first serial killer. Players must make choices in each protagonist's chapters as they unearth grisly discoveries, talk to animatronics, and try to parse together the mystery behind the terrors. As is fitting for the finale of Supermassive's first horror anthology series, the developer has made changes to make the story all that more gripping.
4 Exploring Evils
Following the rules of the horror genre (against common sense and the audience's wishes), The Devil In Me expands upon the previous games in the series. The latest game allows for greater exploration of H.H. Holmes's hotel and grounds. Previously in the series, Little Hope and Man of Medan had some aspects of exploration, but not to the extent in this installment.
The protagonist and players are now armed with more movement options allowing for characters to climb on objects (and sometimes the walls, at least mentally) to reach previously inaccessible areas. For example, players can shimmy through tiny gaps to reveal hidden secrets, such as rooms that may reveal more of the mystery or provide some sought-after answers. The increased range of mobility also lends itself to more interactive puzzles. This offers the player more gameplay outside of simply making the decisions in cutscenes that have become characteristic of Supermassive's cinematic story horror games.
3 Time Is Running Out
The last few installments The Dark Pictures Anthology, Little Hope and Man of Medan, could be completed in roughly 5 hours. However, The Devil In Me steps it up. The latest entry in the story is slightly longer, with an approximately 7-hour completion time.
In addition to simply experiencing the story once, players should replay the game to experience the full story and make different choices. Each playthrough will be somewhat different depending on which characters survive and how the story progresses. It's worth exploring every nook and cranny and making every choice possible, to see the full scope of what the story has to offer.
2 Taking Stock To Survive
The Devil In Me introduces an inventory system for the first time in the Supermassive franchise. Characters now have access to tools that they can use at specific locations on certain objects to unlock or progress the story. Some of these items can be found whilst the characters are hunting for their next shot in their film, while other tools are specific to the character. These individual tools include:
- Kate-Jessie Buckley can use her pencil to shade over the paper and reveal what was written beneath.
- Charlie carries a handy business card that any roguish type could use to unlock latches on drawers.
- Jamie has a multimeter that lets her rewire electrical circuits.
- Mark can chronicle what the characters have found with his useful camera. Additionally, the light can be used to flash darker areas for better vision.
- Erin, with her directional microphone, has the handy ability to hear through walls. This can help her detect the next clue or eerie noise that the player should definitely go towards.
However, players should be aware that choosing to use items can greatly affect the storyline. Items can be lost, broken, or repaired, and some can be shared with other characters. What's more, each use of an item could result in the player saving, or losing, one of the protagonist's lives.
1 Guests In A Grisly Game
When booking into a hotel, it's best to check all the amenities. In The Devil In Me, players will be challenged with various terrifying and complex puzzles. As befitting of H.H. Holmes's murder house, the game takes inspiration from toying with the hotel's guests through moving walls in labyrinthine corridors, trap door chutes, and secret, off-the-beaten-path, passageways that are created to confuse and disorient players during their stay.
The puzzles that players will have to solve range from finding codes, fixing fuse boxes, and traversing the maze of hallways that they find themselves lost in. It is best to keep an eye out for clues while wandering the halls and respond promptly to what is on the screen. It's only people's lives at stake, no big deal...right?
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Devil In Me is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.