Fourth and last part of the first season of The Dark Pictures anthology, the video game “The Devil in Me” should certainly appeal to fans of true crimes and other stories of serial killers.
Started in 2019, the video game anthology The Dark Pictures ends its first season with a final opus that is worth seeing. Available since November 18, The Devil in Me is a survival horror video game that comes close to the excellent Until Dawna major title from the Supermassive Games studio, without yet reaching the level.
But from shutter to shutter, The Dark Pictures improves its exploration of myths, urban legends and other horrific tales, transposed many times on the small and the big screen. For the fourth and last opus of the first season, published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, it is on the side of the slasher that we dive with a revisit of the history of the first American serial killer.
America’s first serial killer
In The Devil in Me, we play in turn five members of a team of documentary filmmakers in lack of sensation and audience who have perhaps found the deal of the century to relaunch their show. Invited by a mysterious host, the team goes into a replica of the “Castle of Murders” of serial killer HH Holmes to carry out a report.
Supermassive Games
But the stay will quickly turn into a nightmare when the team realizes that the hotel is full of traps and dark secrets, and above all that it is spied on, manipulated and harassed by a dangerous entity, which hides under the mask of a well-known killer who inspires his design.
Herman Webster Mudgett or HH Holmes – better known as Doctor Henry Howard Holmes murdered guests at his Chicago hotel, which opened for the 1893 World’s Fair. Although he confessed to 27 murders during On trial, HH Holmes allegedly killed around 200 people during the late 19th century until his execution by hanging in 1896.
Inspired by such a case, The Devil in Me is certainly the most interesting and above all the most immersive opus of the anthology, with flashbacks and polished cutscenes. The game rides on the great popularity of true crimes and other documentaries on famous serial killers by mischievously revisiting the story of the man who is considered the very first American serial killer.
Supermassive Games
As with House of Ashes, particular care has been taken in the staging, in the image of a beautiful cinematographic quality, but also in the sound in order to offer a gaming experience worthy of a horror film by good invoice. The Devil in Me brings its share of screamers and jumpscares but also sequences of murders which would give a lot of ideas to a certain Jigsaw.
Unfortunately, The Devil in Me is so focused on its antagonist – the best villain since the anthology began! – and its story that the characters suffer a little. Fairly underdeveloped and with rather sketchy interactions, the unlucky documentarians are not very sympathetic, despite the actors involved and the presence of Jesse Buckley (Men).
Finally new features but still bugs
If the characters lack personality, background and characters, they do not lack gadgets! This is one of the very good points of The Devil in Me : the characters each have objects (flashlight, lighter, inhaler, microphone, business card, pin…) well identified to be able to advance in their research on the serial killer who pursues them and especially to get out of certain situations deadly.
Supermassive Games
In addition, very useful new game mechanics are finally available: characters can jump, climb, crawl, sneak and run. It was necessary these capacities to be able to survive in a slasher! However, we would have liked the pace of the game to be a little more sustained and for the characters to be less slow to perform these actions supposed to get them out of trouble.
Above all, this slowness is accompanied by a certain number of bugs, already present in the previous sections. The game experience is tainted by defects in camera movements, a certain lack of fluidity sometimes in the rotations of the characters and shifts – even cuts – on the dialogues (when they do not switch from French to English , without reason !).
These bugs and flaws alter the game experience appeal to investigation, seeking information, and exploring larger areas but they did not – fortunately – interfere with key gameplay moments such as QTEs. (Quick Time Event) or the important choices that will considerably change the rest of the adventures of our heroes.
Supermassive Games
Because therein lies the major pleasure of the anthology The Dark Picturesand therefore the game The Devil in Me : the multi-linear narrative with decision-making, often cruel and well-delivered scenes that significantly alter the plot, which you face in solo, online with a friend or in cooperative mode.
Despite bugs and a lack of character depth, The Devil in Me remains the most successful part of the first season of the anthology The Dark Pictures, thanks to an exciting backdrop, memorable horror sequences and a devilishly evil antagonist. Enough to make you really want to discover season 2 already announced, with a first opus Directive 8020 in space!
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me is available on PlayStation5, PlayStation4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.