The Evil Within Review (Izhaaq996)
When The Evil Within was first announced, it was impossible not to be excited—a survival horror game directed by Shinji Mikami, the mastermind behind Resident Evil 4? Sign me up! What we got was a terrifying, mind-bending experience that felt like a spiritual successor to Resident Evil, but with a psychological horror twist that made it stand out.
That being said, this game does not hold your hand. If you jump in expecting a straightforward horror story, think again. The narrative is cryptic, fragmented, and deliberately confusing. You won’t fully grasp what’s happening on your first playthrough, and even by the end, you’ll still be left with questions. The DLCs, which were released later, provide the missing pieces of the puzzle.
So, if you love intense horror, a slow-burning story, and classic survival horror mechanics, The Evil Within is a game that will haunt your mind long after the credits roll.
A Survival Horror Experience Rooted in Resident Evil
Right from the start, you can feel the Resident Evil DNA in The Evil Within. The over-the-shoulder camera, limited ammo, inventory management, tense enemy encounters, this game feels like a darker, more psychological take on Resident Evil 4.
But unlike Resident Evil, where the story is usually easy to follow, The Evil Within throws you into a nightmare without context. You play as Detective Sebastian Castellanos, investigating a gruesome crime scene at Beacon Mental Hospital. Within minutes, reality twists into a hellish nightmare, and you are fighting for survival against grotesque monsters, surreal environments, and a villain who seems to control reality itself.
The game masterfully blends psychological horror with classic survival horror gameplay, forcing you to adapt, conserve resources, and never feel truly safe.
A Story That Unfolds in Chaos
Let’s be real: you will not understand the story at first.
The Evil Within’s narrative is intentionally fragmented. One moment, you’re running through a mental hospital, the next, you’re in a twisted village that feels ripped straight from Resident Evil 4, and suddenly, you’re in a burning cityscape. It feels like a fever dream, and progression only brings more questions rather than answers.
The game throws hints and clues throughout, but you won’t get the full story even after finishing it. This might frustrate some players, but for those who love unraveling a deep mystery, it’s an engaging experience. The real story explanations come in the DLCs, particularly The Assignment and The Consequence, which shift the perspective and finally connect the dots.
Gameplay – A Brutal, Unforgiving Horror Experience
If you love challenging survival horror, this game delivers. Limited ammo, smart resource management, every bullet counts, and enemies hit hard. If you run in guns blazing, you won’t last long. Stealth is a real option, sneaking past enemies and using traps can save your life (and your precious ammo). A tense upgrade system, You collect Green Gel to upgrade Sebastian’s abilities, making choices feel crucial. Unpredictable environments, One moment, you're in a dark, abandoned house, and the next, you're transported to a nightmare world with no explanation.
This unpredictability keeps you on edge the entire game. You never feel safe, which is exactly what great survival horror should do.
Pros:
Pure survival horror at its best – If you miss the old-school Resident Evil experience, this is for you.
Brilliant enemy and level design – The creatures are horrifying, and the shifting environments add to the unease.
A deeply psychological story – Even if you don’t understand everything at first, it will keep you hooked.
Challenging and rewarding gameplay – Every fight feels intense, and resource management is crucial.
DLCs actually matter – They don’t just add extra content; they complete the story.
Cons:
Story is too cryptic at first – If you don’t like being left in the dark, this might frustrate you.
Some mechanics feel outdated – Stiff movement and awkward camera angles can be frustrating at times.
You NEED the DLCs for the full story – The base game alone doesn’t give all the answers.
Conclusion:
The Evil Within is not for the faint of heart. It’s challenging, bizarre, and doesn’t explain itself easily, but that’s what makes it special. If you push through the confusion and embrace the horror, you’ll find one of the most unique survival horror experiences of the last decade.
If you’re a fan of Resident Evil, psychological horror, and games that make you think, this one is a must-play. Just be prepared to feel lost, until the DLCs finally show you the bigger picture.