Releasing on PC and PS4, Amnesia: Rebirth is the latest title in the Amnesia franchise. Set 90 years after the events of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Rebirth puts players into the role of finding their lost companions. As Tasi Trianon, players must search through secluded, dark caves and ancient tombs (as well as some blindingly bright and deadly hot deserts) where menacing figures lurk in the darkness. But just how scary is Amnesia: Rebirth?
People familiar with the series will already know that Amnesia games are intense experiences. The Dark Descent was well-received, but Rebirth improves on its flaws in almost every way. Because the game unfolds from a first-person perspective, it’s incredibly immersive. That’s also one of the things that makes Amnesia: Rebirth so scary, especially for players who aren’t too familiar with the many, many horror games inspired by the original Amnesia: The Dark Descent.
One of the more intense aspects of Amnesia: Rebirth is the fear meter. If Tasi’s fear increases too much, she’ll begin to hallucinate. It’s essentially simulating insanity, with these moments growing more intense as the game progresses, and players experience it all firsthand. This kind of sanity loss mechanic has been utilized very well in recent horror games like Phasmophobia, and it works just as well in the latest Amnesia game. It also adds plenty of psychological terror to a game that’s already pretty terrifying.
Why Amnesia: Rebirth Is So Scary
The psychological horror that pervades Amnesia: Rebirth isn’t the only reason the game is so scary. Players are defenseless, which means they’re only safe in light. Since the areas players explore are places like dark caves and old ruins, there’s not a lot of light to go around. It means intense moments of scrambling to safety, and it keeps players nervous and on their toes. Very rarely does Amnesia: Rebirth stop to let players breathe and get calm.
Like Phasmophobia and other popular horror games, there’s still plenty of jump scares. People who haven’t played many first-person survival horror games may be shocked at how scared they get in Amnesia: Rebirth. It’s only more horrifying because players can’t really fight back. However, it’s the sanity loss mechanic that can really make the game terrifying for even the bravest horror genre veterans. At times, Amnesia: Rebirth really makes it feel like players are losing their minds.
Amnesia games are well-known for how scary they are. However, Amnesia: Rebirth takes those levels of fear to all new heights. It’s the kind of game even the bravest people may want to play with the lights on.
