The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me promised a refreshing change of pace from previous installments, but the final product falls short of expectations. This review explores why The Devil in Me isn’t Supermassive Games’ best Dark Pictures game and how it disappoints as both a season finale and a precursor to future entries.
The game’s flaws are evident from the prologue. While the opening sequence introduces the murder house setting and its killer, the disposable characters used to familiarize players with the mechanics suffer from stiff animations, poor eye contact, and an unnatural presence. Disappointingly, these issues persist with the main cast.
The Dark Pictures series emphasizes close-up character interactions to build relationships and drive narrative decisions. However, the unnatural character movements in The Devil in Me severely hinder immersion. Characters often fail to make eye contact during conversations, disconnect from objects they’re interacting with, and generally exhibit awkward animations. These technical shortcomings undermine the emotional impact of key scenes.
dark-pictures-anthology-the-devil-in-me.jpgThere are a few exceptions. Paul Kaye’s portrayal of Charlie is a highlight, and his absence mid-game is noticeable. Gloria Obianyo’s performance as Jamie also stands out. However, the remaining characters lack the depth and development needed to foster genuine investment in their fates.
The Devil in Me’s more “grounded” approach, focusing on a human killer rather than supernatural entities, also proves to be a detriment. While the premise is still twisted, the tangible nature of the threat removes the tension and unpredictability that defined previous installments. Chase sequences lack suspense, and even climactic moments feel underwhelming. A prolonged cat-and-mouse segment towards the end fails to compensate for these shortcomings.
Despite its flaws, The Dark Pictures formula retains a certain allure. The desire to explore alternate outcomes and ensure the survival of characters, even those poorly developed, motivates repeat playthroughs. This replayability, however, doesn’t fully redeem the overall underwhelming experience.
Ultimately, The Devil in Me is a disappointing conclusion to the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. While the additions of mobility mechanics and inventory management are welcome, they fail to elevate the game significantly and instead highlight the absence of these features in past titles. The future of the series remains uncertain, but hopefully, Season 2 will learn from the missteps of The Devil in Me and deliver a stronger start.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me earns a rating of 2.5 out of 5. This review is based on the PlayStation 5 version, with a review code provided by the publisher. The game is also available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
