Probably better known for titles such as Dark Souls, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or the more recent Elden Ring, Bandai Namco have been dipping their toes into interactive novels, with Digimon Survive being one of their more recent. While that is a particularly family-friendly game, their most recent announcement was very much not. Developed by Supermassive Games, we’re being treated to the Season One finale of The Dark Pictures Anthology. We were invited to take part in a Keynote Video, hosted by Tom Heaton, Director of The Devil in Me, and it looks as though it could be the most chilling story yet.

From the beginning, the presentation as a whole set the tone of what we were about to witness. Seated in a dark leather high-backed armchair, Tom introduced himself before giving us a quick recap of the previous titles; Man of Medan, Little Hope, and House of Ashes. He points out that, so far, all of these stories draw inspiration from the real world, be it fact or fiction, before pointing out that The Devil in Me draws its story from real-world events, and in particular, one person – Herman Mudgett.

Born in 1861, Herman studied medical anatomy at the University of Michigan, before changing his name and moving to Chicago, becoming Dr. Henry Howard Holmes. Holmes opened one of the most beautiful hotels in Chicago, The World’s Fair Hotel, but his guests never left. Secret passages, hidden rooms, and trap doors. Cellars filled with lime pits and vats of acid, and all manner of strange implements and deadly contraptions. In 1896, Holmes confessed to 27 murders, though it is rumoured the numbers are significantly higher.

Of course, the inspiration doesn’t stop there, taking elements from films such as the SAW franchise and the cult classic, The Shining. They’ve done everything they could to make the player feel isolated and uncomfortable, but rather than just turn these films and people into a game, they’ve created their own story.

Following a small TV production company, as they struggle to create a new series about American serial killers, they receive a call from wealthy architect and collector, Granthem Du’Met. Granthem has inherited a hotel from a passed relative; a relative who was obsessed with serial killers, and many of the rooms are accurate reproductions of Holmes’ Murder Castle – The World’s Fair Hotel. It’s the perfect location for the perfect episode.

Needless to say, we were treated to some incredibly impressive and haunting visuals once the gameplay footage started. The Supermassive Games team has perfectly replicated the creepy, rundown hotel, with faded and torn wallpaper, dust-covered floors, and dim lighting. Corridors are an ever-changing maze to navigate, lights are constantly failing, and the film crew is left feeling like they’re being watched. It isn’t just a replica of the World’s Fair Hotel – It’s a recreation.

In order to aid players in their fight for survival, Supermassive Games have introduced a simple inventory system, and each character will have access to one specific to their position within Lonnit Entertainment. Charlie Lonnit, the owner and Director of Lonnit Entertainment uses his business card to unlock draws, snooping around for evidence and useful items.

Kate Wilder, the Presenter carries a simple pencil, but it can be used to uncover messages left behind on notepads by lightly shading over the page beneath to highlight the indents from previous messages. She’s also voiced by Irish singer/actor Jessie Buckley, nominated for an Academy Award for her role in The Lost Daughter. As the agency’s Cameraman, Mark Nestor carries his trusty camera, allowing him to capture video evidence of the crimes uncovered.

The group’s Chief Grip, Jamie Teirgan, can use her multimeter to reroute electrical circuits, potentially disabling traps or opening hidden pathways, and finally, the intern, Erin Keenan. She’s mostly being used by the group to run simple errands and control the groups failing finances, but her passion for audio leaves her with a directional microphone that can be used to listen through walls, possibly avoiding the presence stalking them. These tools, as well as the ones you can find through exploration, will help with the new gameplay system that creates puzzles. Find codes, untangle fuse boxes, and earn your freedom.

As with the other titles in the Dark Pictures Anthology, your choices will directly affect the character’s chances of survival, and Supermassive Games have given players the best chance of keeping characters alive by adding additional means of exploration.

Characters can now run or walk, jump over gaps, shimmy across ledges, and even squeeze through narrow holes or hide under tables when danger draws close. Players will have ample opportunities to uncover hidden locations and collect more tools to aid in their survival, all while exploring the meticulously crafted Island Hotel, and with approximately 7 hours of gameplay available, not only is The Devil in Me their longest-running title, it is one of the most detailed environments you can explore.

If you’ve been following along with The Dark Pictures Anthology, The Devil in Me looks to be the best of the current season. Featuring some of the most gruesome deaths the series has encountered so far, the horror fans will be torn between saving the team and experiencing some of the most brutal kills ever. With its new exploration mechanics and fan-favourite features, The Devil in Me is looking to be the perfect Season One Finale.

Written by: MKAU Gaming