It's almost Halloween, and as such, many are turning to video games to scare them during the festivities. That's where Dark Pictures: Little Hope comes in, as it offers a cinematic horror experience that can be enjoyed solo or with a group of friends. While the game doesn't launch until tomorrow, October 3o, review embargos have lifted and early impressions are starting to pour in.
Little Hope's cast features some notable actors, including Will Poulter, who has been in a number of films, though horror film Midsommar might be his most relevant role for Dark Pictures, due to the horror parallels between the two. However, early reviews seem to indicate that characters can be a bit inconsistent, which may prove to be a major problem for some.
Some critics have also cited issues with the narrative, which is something players will want to keep in mind if they've been apprehensive about picking the game up in the first place. It may even be worth checking out the game's predecessor, Man of Medan first, just to see if players enjoy the game's general format and gameplay style. Plus, Man of Medan is currently available on Xbox Game Pass. For still unsure of which way to go, here's what critics have had to say:
Game ZXC (Dalton Cooper)
"The Dark Pictures: Little Hope's Movie Night co-op mode is a lot of fun and the game is more polished than Man of Medan was at launch. It's also a visual knockout, with highly detailed environments and character models. Regardless of how well-animated or detailed the characters are, though, many players will find it difficult to care about them or the story, which is a huge blow to something that is basically an interactive movie. However, those who push through will be rewarded with a memorable ending, and if nothing else, Little Hope is still a solid choice as a sort-of party game."
Score: 3/5
PC Gamer (Fraser Brown)
"While it doesn't really expand on Supermassive's experiments in Man of Medan, it's still an entertaining co-op romp and perfectly timed if you're looking for a game to play this Halloween."
Score: 74
IGN (Lucy O'Brien)
"Little Hope tells a mostly one-note story with underdeveloped characters, and even a fun co-op mode can’t inject enough life to fix that. There weren’t enough meaningful consequences to the choices I made to inspire further digging into its box of tricks, which made additional playthroughs tough going, and the more generous amount of time you have to react to quick-time events deprived me of any gory deaths. A gorgeous setting and some genuinely frantic monster sequences save it from being a complete disaster, but this still feels like a step backward from the heights of interactive horror stories."
Score: 5/10
GamesRadar (Mark Delaney)
"With a more interesting introduction to the characters, a stronger narrative flow juggling all the movable parts, all against a great semi-historical horror backdrop, this is without a doubt Supermassive's best game since Until Dawn. It's never quite scary, but it's always fun."
Score: 4/5
Screen Rant (Buck Rivers)
"Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is a fun addition to the series, but sadly leaves players wanting more. What is presented to players is done so with brilliant visuals and even better vocal performances. The stakes feel real, and losing a character is a truly painful experience for an invested participant. The overall plot suffers from being set after all the good stuff has already happened, though, and while it isn't lacking in scares or thrills, it is lacking in diverse choices that have lasting consequences outside of immediate death."
Score: 3/5
Overall, there seems to be something of a mixed reception to Dark Pictures: Little Hope. Of course, that doesn't mean the game is bad per se, but it may not be for every horror fan out there. Of course, for those looking for a party game to play with friends, the Little Hope's co-op features may be a big enough draw to make it worth checking out.
There are tons of other horror games out there, though, with new releases like Amnesia: Rebirth that may be worth checking. Plus, there are lots of sales on older horror games for players that might have missed some of the exceptional ones of this console generation, so there are plenty of options for those that want to give something else a shot.
Regardless, it's the perfect time for all things horror. Halloween has already almost come and gone, and while fall is a good season for spooky stuff in general, there's still something special about getting in some scary media before the holiday rolls around, or on it, for those that are really looking to celebrate everything the season brings.
Dark Pictures: Little Hope releases October 30, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
