The Evil Within: An Almost Perfect Nightmare

The tenth anniversary of PAX East weekend has finally come to an end, and now I can talk about all the amazing experiences I had, and just how awesome it is to be a part of the gaming industry. From all of the games I was able to check out, Bethesda‘s The Evil Within was definitely one that stood out.

I’m not sure if it was the eery music or the screams of other players that put me on edge to start—I think it’s safe to say both had an impact. I received a total of two different demos for this game. The first being took place in an asylum, and then the second in the surrounding world. Too often than not, survival horror titles are birthed in the asylum setting, but don’t always follow through in the scare factor (not including Outlast—that game is terrifying). Just from watching someone else play The Evil Within, I felt as if I was dropped in the middle of a horror movie and my anxiety levels were rising.

The fact that a game can elicit such emotion before you even play it is incredible, but also makes me somewhat apprehensive. The story follows a Detective Sebastian Castellanos who’s been taken into another world ruled by a mysterious force; filled with creatures of that very nature. The Evil Within’s expressive environment screams the epitome of awful. The very world around Sabastian is overrun by zombie-mutant-humans out to kill him, while buildings close in and fall around him. Given all of these circumstances, I found that Sebastian seemed no more than apathetic as to what’s happening to him.

I mean, mutants and beasts are all after his head, you would think he’d be the slightest bit concerned. Although the game does require players to embrace the fight or flight theory, staying true to the survival horror genre, Sebastian still didn’t seem as invested as I was.

In instances where creatures are lashing and chasing after you, and Sebastian remains in complete silence, completely draws away from the horror effect we’re supposed to be experiencing as players. Speaking cosmetically, The Evil Within is an absolute gorgeous game. In all honesty, the lighting is some of the best I’ve ever witnessed, and the sound effects are enough to make you hurl (in a good way).

Overall, The Evil Within carries a large portion of characteristics we’d hope to see in a survival horror title, but the game’s protagonist and his attitude towards everything tends to draw away from this ‘terror’ we’re feeling. Of course, this was just a brief demonstration and proper judgment on the whole game, including Castellanos, will have to wait a few months for the final release, scheduled on 26th(NA)/29th(EU) August, for PC, PS3, PS3, Xbox 360 and Xbox One; the wait is almost over for Mikami‘s fans.