I'm sure there are ways to trace it back via your Resident Evils or your Silent Hills or whatnot, but for me in 2010, it seemed to come from nowhere other than a jagged-sharp left turn into a dark, dark dungeon, from Frictional's previous Penumbra series. At the time the graphics and physics on offer were really astonishing work for a tiny indie team, but what about almost a decade later? Can it still make me do that bum-clenched mad panic thing where I lean in forward in my chair in an effort to get away from the monsters faster? Or will it seem a little quaint now?Īmnesia felt like it came out of a unique space. But we all know how games age, and the magic can wear off. I return to Amnesia: The Dark Descent with one question alone: will it still scare me?Īmnesia scared the bejesus out of me in 2010 when it first came out. Later, if you need quickly a place to hide, you can enter directly in that room.Past Perfect is a retrospective column in which we look back into gaming history to see whether old favourites are still worth playing today. – Every time you leave a room, leave its door open. Every time you are going to pick up an item or do a progress, get ready for a quick reaction The more important is the item picked or the progress done, the more likely is that a gatherer (or something else) spawns or come suddenly where you are. They often spawn when you pick up an item or when you do a progress in the game. Even dark corners or blinds spots work well If you see a closet, open it, empty it (if needed) and leave an opened door. – Every time you enter a room, search for a hiding place. With the door closed, the gatherer has to break it, and you’ll have the time to hide yourself – Every time you enter a room, close the door behind you. When the gatherer is gone, you can go safely in the room where the gatherer was If you hear a gatherer inside, shut immediately the door and run away towards a hiding place. Open it a little and wait a couple of seconds. When you want to enter a room, don’t throw open the door. – Sometimes, gatherers are into the room. When the normal, ambience, music is back, the gatherer is no more lurking around “Danger” music for the Grunt and for the Brute).
![amnesia the dark descent water monster amnesia the dark descent water monster](https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/t_share/MTc0Mzc0NzkwOTQ0NDAxMDMw/games-like-amnesia-.jpg)
– When you are hiding from a gatherer that is searching you, there is a specific, tense, music (search on Youtube the – If you hear the terror meter (you can search it on Youtube), run away. If the gatherer is far enough, he won’t see you If you have no alternative, you can hide yourself by holding a barrel in front of you. However, if you hide in the room without being seen by the gatherer, he won’t find you – If a gatherer sees you enter a room, he will enter in it too. If you are in the light and the gatherer is about to see you, it is better to run away, rather in a zig-zag path, if it is possibile If you are in a dark place and the gatherer is not moving towards you, it may be better to go away silently.
![amnesia the dark descent water monster amnesia the dark descent water monster](https://assets.rockpapershotgun.com/images/2020/10/amnesia-rebirth-2.jpg)
As appropriate, it may be better to move away slowly or run away. If you know that, go in the opposite direction. Don’t panic, turn off your lantern and try to understand where the gatherer is. – If you are out of a room and a gatherer is close to you, don’t rush around aimlessy. It may be useful if a gatherer is looking for you – Every time you enter a new area, look for a good hiding place and keep it in mind. To avoid the loss of sanity due to darkness, sometimes it is better to light candles. Be careful with your lantern, it would make you more visible. – When you are moving into an unknown, dark area, gatherers may be around. Gatherers will notice you less, especially in the dark – It is better to crouching down (even while you move) as much as possible.