A short review on Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs (AMfP), the sequel to one of the best (at least in my opinion) survival horror games, Amnesia: The Dark Descent (TDD). Will keep this spoiler free, but anyone who reads a review is kind of spoiling anyways...right? :)
Gameplay:
While the gameplay was decent for this game, they got rid of everything that defined Amnesia. While in The Dark Descent you had an inventory, a health meter, a sanity meter and had to stock up on tinderboxes and oil for your lantern, A Machine for Pigs has none of this. There is no more worrying about your sanity. No more worrying about lack of oil or tinderboxes. Therefore, there is no fear to be left in the dark wandering aimlessly while trying to maintain your sanity intact. It is this that destroys everything that Amnesia was. There was no fear, no excitement. My heart wasn't beating out of my chest like it was during TDD. And not once was I on the edge of my seat. I felt powerful, unstoppable. Especially more since the monsters are not really a threat to the player unless they spot you and chase you down. Also, you don't need to hide in this game. There are no hiding spots and once you're spotted you will be ruthlessly chased.
Environment:
It was amazing. In TDD, the environment was bland, repetitive and kind of boring. In this game, however, everything looks beautiful and stunning.
Atmosphere:
It was creepy, but not like TDD was. The music was extraordinary, breath-taking and just adds to the eeriness of the game. However, as said in the gameplay section, since the monsters aren't really a threat and so you tend to feel bored. There isn't anything to run away from, nothing to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Puzzles:
The puzzles in this game were extremely easy. Good for the players who do not like to overthink in games and spend precious hours trying to figure out what to do. But for players as myself who enjoy a good challenge, it left much to desire.
Monsters:
Let's put it this way, the monsters from the first game were much more scarier and dangerous than the ones in this game. The monsters here are basically generic. They are also harder to look at since you have to be literally in their faces to do that.
Length:
Short. Extremely short. This out of everything was the most disappointing aspect of the game. I was expecting better. Perhaps maybe a bit longer than the first one. This seemed more of a demo than an actual game.
Overall Impression:
While I enjoyed this game, I was disappointed as well. This game is too short, it is not scary at all. Also they removed the key items that made the first game so memorable, like the health meter, the sanity meter and the lack of oil/tinderboxes, so it shouldn't be categorized as 'survival horror'. The monsters aren't a threat unless they spot you and start giving chase.
I think this game would have done better if it was a stand-alone title, not an Amnesia sequel. It's too bland, too boring to a point. This plays more like an Edgar Allan Poe horror novel than an actual game. I would give this game a 7 out of 10.
