Amnesia: The Bunker Review – CLAUSTROPHOBIC TERROR

Amnesia: The Bunker takes players on a chilling journey into the depths of the human psyche. This atmospheric psychological horror game combines suspense, mystery and psychological horror elements to deliver an intense and frightening experience. Coming from someone who doesn’t scare easily, parts of this adventure had my palms sweating like a snowball in an oven.

Embracing Darkness

One of the most memorable aspects of Amnesia: The Bunker is its ambience. The entry plunges players into a dark and claustrophobic bunker, where they navigate through eerie corridors, dimly lit rooms and encounter a host of disturbing secrets.

The attention to detail in the environmental design is impressive, effectively immersing players in the decaying world of the titular bunker, even if there are a few shoddy visuals on occasion. The game’s sound design also masterfully adds to the tension, with subtle creaks, distant groans and unsettling noises that’ll undoubtedly keep players on edge.

The narrative of Amnesia: The Bunker is another fairly strong aspect. It starts by introducing us to the protagonist, John, who wakes up with no recollection of who he is or how he ended up in the bunker. Then, as the game progresses, the narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks, audio logs and environmental clues. This fragmented storytelling method adds an air of mystery and uncertainty, effectively drawing players into John’s desperate search for answers.

A+ For Distinction

The gameplay mechanics of Amnesia: The Bunker are very straightforward, yet very effective. Players navigate the environment, solving thought-provoking puzzles with experimentation and uncovering clues to piece together the story under pressure—something easier said than done. You will have to think outside the box at times; picking up a slab of rock to bust open a door or disarming an explosive trap by throwing a nearby chair. These are just a selection of the many solutions you can realise.

Since the game is based on exploration and observation, this encourages players to pay attention to their surroundings and how much noise they’re making to progress. For example, John has to regularly wind his flashlight to see ahead, but the sound subsequently alerts any nearby monsters. So there’s this interesting trade-off between staying in the dark for stealth or creating a light source to explore and fully visualise the lurking threats, making these relatively small decisions feel all the more impactful. That being said, some players may find the pacing a bit slow at times, as the game focuses heavily on building atmosphere rather than providing constant action.

That same attention to detail in the environment ties over to the gameplay, as every nook and cranny seems to hide a secret, urging players to explore and uncover all of its contents. At the same time, players will also have to manage their limited inventory with storage boxes akin to Resident Evil, further adding to the chaos and confusion of the maze-like bunker. The same theme also applies to the inventory, as players have to manually check their revolver for ammo—as well as which round the cylinder has loaded—and can actually aim better if nothing’s held in their other hand.

Better Left Underground

While the overall experience of Amnesia: The Bunker is excellent, it is not without a few flaws. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections dragging on while others rush past too quickly. In addition, the game’s controls could be more responsive and intuitive, especially during rather intense moments when split-second decisions are crucial.

Amnesia: The Bunker’s visual presentation is decent but lacks the polish of larger-budget titles. The graphics effectively convey the grim and oppressive atmosphere of the bunker. However, a few textures and character models appear rough around the edges, which can momentarily break the immersion. That being said, this entry’s atmospheric lighting and subtle visual effects compensate for these shortcomings to a certain extent.

The game’s length is also relatively short, and some players might feel that the story concludes too abruptly. On top of that, while the narrative is engaging, the ending can seem divisive, leaving the audience with more vital questions than answers. However, these factors do not significantly detract from the overall experience.

Decision

If you’re in the mood for engaging and chilling survival horror that excels in ambiance and psychological intrigue, look no further than Amnesia: The Bunker. With its eerie setting, mysterious narrative and experimental gameplay mechanics, this title successfully immerses players into a world filled with suspense and dread, even if the visual quality and pacing can feel inconsistent at times. If you’re a fan of psychological horror and enjoy exploring the depths of the human mind, Amnesia: The Bunker is an experience not to be missed.

By Anthony Culinas – Reviewed on PC

Great

Amnesia: The Bunker is a short but very sweaty experience. It delivers an interesting narrative, chilling atmosphere and thought-provoking puzzles that will keep players engaged from start to finish. Though apart from a few wonky-looking visuals, uneven pacing and imprecise controls during rather intense moments, this latest release in the Amnesia series is certainly worth experiencing.

Game by Frictional Games. The Beta Network uses affiliate partnerships, however, this does not influence reviews or any other content published. The Beta Network may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links that are on the website.