The Amnesia series has had its ups and downs over the years, with the formula established in the first instalment not evolving much in later games. The developer, Frictional Games, is making a big attempt to buck that trend, however, with the freshly announced Amnesia: The Bunker.
Coming to PS4 in March 2023, this new entry ditches the linear structure, replacing it with a "semi-open world" and emergent gameplay. As the name suggests, the game takes place inside a dimly lit WWI bunker, with you playing as a French soldier suffering from, yes, amnesia. Armed with a dynamo flashlight and a revolver with a single bullet inside, you need to explore the corridors and chambers of the titular bunker to overcome its horrors.
According to the press release, the game features an Alien: Isolation-style monster that's constantly stalking you while you play, and you're free to find your way through the game's environment. There will be "multiple available solutions to each task, puzzle, and approach to the game's obstacles", and how you play will "change the outcome of how the game responds as a consequence".
So, this time, you won't be completely defenceless, but it sounds like additional resources will be very scarce. Players will need to use their wits and tools at their disposal to solve puzzles and escape whatever it is that's hunting you down. Furthermore, the placement of objects, threats, and resources will change on subsequent playthroughs, so you can never become too familiar with the bunker.
It sounds like it's a step in the right direction for the series; a fresh approach might be just what it needs. Again, it's heading to PS4 — no mention of PS5 — in March next year. What do you think of Amnesia: The Bunker? Turn out the lights in the comments section below.
Comments 18
I have enjoyed the previous Amnesia games and honestly a semi open world approach seems pretty cool to me, the question is will it manage level of the scares of the previous game.
They mention Series consoles but not PS5. Definitely strange.
Love the idea of it being set in WWI bunkers. Amnesia is a great series and I really enjoyed Rebirth but it's good to see them mix it up a little. As long as they can deliver the scares then it'll be a success in my book.
That’s fine, but I really wish Frictional would work on something original. Soma is one of the best games of the last 20 years
That’s odd. Several months back, you guys had a brief announcement about another horror game set in the bunkers of WW1. Ad Infinitum, I believe it was called, and to be honest, it looked better.
Just hope it isn't like Rebirth cause that one was real disappointing
I’d personally love to see Frictional move on from Amnesia but I’ll also be there to see how this one turned out. Rebirth had some brilliant moments.
"how you play will 'change the outcome of how the game responds as a consequence'."
Not gonna lie, I'm kinda getting tired of this selling point because most of the time, it's almost never a huge deal. And at worst, it's straight up lying lol hope I'm proven wrong.
So it's not Soma 2 in VR as I hoped... but I'll take it I guess. Just hope the protagonist doesn't babble constantly like in Rebirth.
Why on earth is this releasing in 2023 on PS4 but not PS5?
I am open to this, I really enjoyed the last few entries.
@pyrrhic_victory
These developers seem to heavily be in bed with Microsoft. Hence the last Amnesia got a 60fps rerelease for the Series consoles but no PS5 update for example. Similar to Psychonauts 2 never getting a native PS5 release.
Semi-open world, In a Bunker..
@PegasusActual93 However, it did get a patch for the PS5 to run at a solid 60fps, just not a native application.
With the PS5 update it's runs pretty much identical to the Series X version. The only difference (it has same textures, LODs, shadows and alpha effects) is that PS5 is using a dynamic resolution with different boundaries to that of Series X. Which is full 4k - 2080x1170. I imagine the Series X would manage a little higher. Overall PS5 owners aren't really missing out on anything by not having a native version 👍
@Gloamin
It uses a dynamic resolution because it's still running on PS4 Pro code. Only thing the patch did was uncap the framerate. It is still very much the PS4 version.
@PegasusActual93 yes, that's what I was saying. A patch not a native version and the game running on the Series X is the same quality in everything else bar the dynamic resolution, which has a higher average. The Series X and PS5 versions are the Xbox One X/ PS4 Pro versions running at 60fps, with Series X hitting a higher dynamic resolution on average. There are no other distinguishing features between them other than resolution. So no real qualms in there just being a patch for PS5 when you get pretty much the same results as Xbox users.
Finally you are using a gun in a amnesia game.cool.im down with this game.word up son
@PegasusActual93 What a shame they're being so biased to Microsoft.
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