Info about The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me:

Official game description:
  
A series of stand-alone branching cinematic horror games from the studio behind Until Dawn. Easy to pick-up and play in short sessions, alone or with friends. The Devil in Me is the fourth game in the series and the Season One finale.  
A group of documentary film makers receive a mysterious call inviting them to a modern-day replica of serial killer H.H. Holmes’ ‘Murder Castle’. It’s an opportunity that’s too good to pass up and could be just the thing they’re looking for to win some much-needed public interest.  
The hotel is the perfect set for their new episode, but things aren’t quite as they seem. The crew discover they’re being watched and even manipulated, and suddenly there’s much more at stake than just their ratings!  
Nothing is as it seems here, and the amenities are to die for! Explore every nook of the World’s Fair Hotel using the all-new season finale features including character inventory, tool-based puzzles, and expanded movement actions such as run, jump, and climb.  
Escape the torturous creations of an evil monster who is hellbent on becoming America’s deadliest serial killer & survive elaborate ‘killing rooms’ where your own death is by the killer’s design.  
Endure terrifying tests of loyalty – will you risk your own life for someone you care for? The two critically acclaimed multiplayer modes are back: share your story online with a friend or aim for safety in numbers through the offline 5-player pass-the-pad mode.  
Can you outsmart the killer and checkout all your cast? All playable characters can live or die in your version of the story.  
**The Curator's Cut**  
The Curator's cut features new scenes playable from the other characters' perspective with brand new choices and decisions to make.  
The Curator's cut is only available once you have completed the main story.

Release date: Nov 17, 2022

Categories: Psychological Horror, Choice-based Narrative, Character Interaction, Narrative-driven Gameplay, Cooperative Multiplayer, Local Co-op, Exploration, Puzzle Solving

Feature scans:
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Poor Navigation and Game Design; summary: The primary issues identified from user feedback revolve around the game's repetitive and confusing navigation, which significantly detracts from the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, there are notable concerns regarding the game's design and the clarity of its story, leading to user frustration and dissatisfaction.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the Steam Deck experience for this game. Key problems include poor controller support, numerous bugs and stability issues, graphical problems, and overall gameplay experience issues. These factors contribute to a frustrating and less enjoyable gaming experience on the Steam Deck.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $1.00 - $2.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that the community generally finds the game worth purchasing only when it is on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is enjoyable or worth trying if bought at a discounted price. This suggests that the perceived value of the game is lower than its current base price of $3.99. The sentiment is that the game is not worth the full price but can be a good buy when discounted.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.3h
  - Story completion: 4.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple accounts of playtime experiences. Several reviews mention completing the game in around 6 to 8.5 hours, which helps establish a typical range for game completion time. One review specifically mentions that the first four hours are spent walking around without much happening, indicating a slower-paced initial segment. Additionally, another review suggests that the game feels rushed, implying that the playtime might be shorter due to a lack of substantial content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game initially suffers from technical issues and slow pacing but becomes enjoyable once players reach the deathtraps and overcome the initial hurdles.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Reaching the deathtraps
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Technical issues; Clunky mechanics; Slow pacing initially; Unresponsive controls; Hidden menus; Bugs in co-op mode
  - Unlock drivers: Reaching the deathtraps; Unlocking achievements; Compelling narrative
  - Conditions: Playing solo; Playing on sale; Enjoying narrative-driven horror games; Playing with friends in co-op mode
- Player Archetypes:
  - Story-Driven Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Engaging story and graphical beauty
    - Playstyle: Explores thoroughly to find hidden items and understand the story fully.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: fan of the series; lore enthusiast
    - Reference games: The Dark Pictures Anthology; House of Ashes
  - Frustrated Co-op Player (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Seeking a smooth and enjoyable co-op experience
    - Playstyle: Prefers playing with friends but is hindered by bugs and synchronization issues.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: co-op player; bug reporter
    - Reference games: Man of Medan; Little Hope
  - Casual Horror Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoying a good story and interactive experience without stress
    - Playstyle: Plays on easier difficulties to enjoy the story without stress.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; horror fan
    - Reference games: The Walking Dead; Until Dawn


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and well-written story (weight 0.44): The game features an interesting and lively plot with well-written storytelling. Players found the story entertaining, intriguing, and engaging, with good characters and a great premise.
- Improved gameplay and graphics (weight 0.23): The game offers better gameplay, exploration, and enhanced graphics. Players appreciated the interactive and enjoyable gameplay, along with superior visuals and improved controls.
- Best in the series (weight 0.2): Many players consider this game to be the best or one of the strongest entries in its series. It is seen as a great addition with lots of gameplay.
- Suspenseful and tense atmosphere (weight 0.18): The game keeps players in suspense and on the edge of their seats with its thrilling and tense atmosphere, well-built tension, and scary moments.
- Enjoyable experience (weight 0.13): Players found the game enjoyable, especially when played with a friend. The overall experience was fun and engaging despite some issues.
- Unique setting inspired by H.H. Holmes (weight 0.11): The game's story is based on the real figure H.H. Holmes, providing a chilling and unique premise that players found interesting and cool.
- More horror elements (weight 0.07): Compared to previous titles, this game features more horror elements, better horror aspects, and more jump scares, enhancing the overall experience.
- Choices matter (weight 0.07): The game offers more logical and developed choices, where every choice matters, adding depth to the gameplay.
- No bugs or performance issues (weight 0.06): Players reported experiencing no bugs or performance issues, indicating a smooth and well-optimized game.

Common complaints:
- Excessive and game-breaking bugs (weight 0.45): Players report a high number of bugs, including game-breaking ones, that significantly disrupt the gameplay experience. These bugs affect various aspects of the game, such as lighting, characters, and multiplayer functionality.
- Illogical plot and character decisions (weight 0.28): The game's plot is criticized for being incoherent and filled with plot holes. Additionally, characters often make illogical decisions that do not make sense within the context of the story.
- Poor character development and dialogue (weight 0.27): Characters are found to be uninteresting, poorly developed, and often unlikable. The dialogues are also criticized for being weak and uncharismatic.
- Unsatisfying and poorly written ending (weight 0.13): The game's ending is described as horrible, unsatisfying, and unclear. The overall writing is criticized for being poor and lackluster.
- Clunky and unresponsive controls (weight 0.13): The controls are reported to be clunky, unresponsive, and inconsistent. This includes issues with movement, platforming, and camera controls.
- Slow and frustrating gameplay (weight 0.11): The gameplay is criticized for being slow, clumsy, and frustrating. Players find the overall gameplay experience to be mediocre and poorly executed.
- Lack of engaging interactions and depth (weight 0.1): The game lacks dynamic interactions, hints, clues, and depth in lore. This results in a less engaging and immersive experience for players.
- Slow and awkward animations (weight 0.09): Animations are reported to be slow, strange, and repetitive. This includes issues with animation speeds and awkward movements.
- Voice acting issues (weight 0.08): There are reports of troublesome and bad voice acting, including issues with missing voice lines and poor performance.
- Poorly executed QTEs (weight 0.06): Quick Time Events (QTEs) are criticized for being repetitive, overused, and poorly executed. Players find them infuriating and not user-friendly.
- Non-intuitive multiplayer mechanics (weight 0.06): Multiplayer mechanics are criticized for being non-intuitive and poorly designed. This includes issues with exploration and character movement in cooperative mode.

Gameplay feedback:
- Choice-based interactive storytelling (weight 0.28): The game features a narrative-driven experience where player choices significantly impact the story and endings. This includes branched narratives and consequences based on decisions made throughout the game.
- Horror and psychological elements (weight 0.21): The game is a horror experience with psychological thriller elements, jumpscares, and a dark narrative. It aims to create a tense and frightening atmosphere for players.
- Co-op gameplay (weight 0.18): The game offers a co-operative gameplay experience, allowing players to work together to progress through the story and overcome challenges.
- Exploration and interaction (weight 0.14): Players can explore various environments, interact with objects, solve puzzles, and engage in survival elements. This adds depth to the gameplay and encourages thorough investigation of the game world.
- Quick Time Events (QTEs) (weight 0.14): The game incorporates Quick Time Events, requiring players to perform specific actions quickly. These moments are used liberally and can affect the outcome of certain sequences.
- Character relationships and survival (weight 0.1): Player choices impact character relationships and survival, affecting the narrative and outcomes. This adds emotional weight and consequence to decisions.
- Inventory and character management (weight 0.1): Players manage an inventory system with unique items and talents for each character. This adds a layer of strategy and customization to the gameplay.
- New gameplay mechanics (weight 0.05): The game introduces new mechanics such as climbing, balancing, and platforming. These mechanics enhance the overall gameplay experience and provide variety.
- Character abilities and skills (weight 0.05): Each character has unique abilities and skills, which players must utilize strategically to progress through the game.
- Part of the Dark Pictures series (weight 0.05): The game is part of the Dark Pictures Anthology, known for its unique blend of horror and interactive storytelling.

Performance notes:
- Numerous bugs and glitches (weight 0.23): The game is filled with numerous bugs and glitches, ranging from graphical issues to gameplay-affecting bugs, which detract from the overall experience.
- Performance and FPS issues (weight 0.17): Players report various performance issues such as FPS drops, frame rate dips, and overall lag, indicating a need for better optimization.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.12): The game experiences frequent crashes, including issues during launch and gameplay, which significantly disrupt the player experience.
- Texture loading problems (weight 0.07): There are significant issues with texture loading, including low-quality textures and constant reloading, which affect the visual quality of the game.
- Animation delays and issues (weight 0.07): Players have noted long animation delays and broken animations, which affect the smoothness and realism of the game.
- Lighting and brightness problems (weight 0.07): There are issues with lighting effects and brightness, which can impact the visual experience and gameplay.
- Characters getting stuck (weight 0.06): Characters often get stuck in various positions or textures, preventing progress and causing frustration.
- Choppy and laggy cutscenes (weight 0.06): Cutscenes in the game are reported to be laggy and choppy, with some instances of skipping, which disrupts the narrative flow.
- Specific chapter bugs (weight 0.04): Certain chapters, such as the 'Spa' chapter, have specific bugs, including sound issues, that need to be addressed.
- Screen flickering (weight 0.04): Players experience constant screen flickering, which can be bothersome and affect the overall gaming experience.
- Ultrawide monitor support issues (weight 0.04): There are graphics problems specifically related to ultrawide monitors, indicating a need for better support and optimization.
- Audio and zoom bugs (weight 0.04): Issues with audio breaking and zoom bugs have been reported, affecting the overall gameplay experience.
- Monitor settings issues (weight 0.03): The game changes monitor settings on its own and sometimes switches to the wrong monitor, causing inconvenience.
- General dissatisfaction with game state (weight 0.03): Some players express strong dissatisfaction, describing the game as unplayable or disgustingly broken, indicating significant issues.

Recommendations:
- Worth it only on sale (weight 0.21): Many players suggest that the game is only worth purchasing if it is available at a steep discount or on sale, indicating that the full price may not be justified based on its current condition.
- Worth playing (weight 0.15): Several reviews indicate that the game is worth playing, especially if you enjoy the genre or are a fan of the series.
- Recommended for fans of the series (weight 0.13): The game is often recommended for fans of The Dark Pictures Anthology or Supermassive Games, suggesting it caters well to those already familiar with and enjoying the series.
- Recommended for horror fans (weight 0.13): Fans of horror and mystery, particularly those who enjoy narrative-driven horror games, are likely to appreciate this game.
- Skip if new to the series (weight 0.09): New players are advised to start with other games in the series rather than this one, indicating it might not be the best introduction.
- Recommended for co-op play (weight 0.07): Playing in two-player mode or with a friend is highly recommended, suggesting that the game offers a better experience when played cooperatively.
- Not recommended due to issues (weight 0.07): Some players do not recommend the game due to various issues such as bugs, aspect ratio problems, and overall frustration.
- Not recommended at all (weight 0.06): A portion of reviews strongly advise against purchasing or playing the game, citing various reasons such as poor quality or lack of enjoyment.
- Play with headphones in the dark (weight 0.04): For an enhanced experience, it is suggested to play the game with headphones and in a dark environment.
- Recommended despite technical issues (weight 0.04): Some players recommend the game despite its technical issues, indicating that the overall experience can still be enjoyable.
- Mixed reviews but worth trying (weight 0.04): Despite mixed reviews, some players recommend giving the game a try, especially if you are a fan of other Supermassive releases.
- Good ending to the season (weight 0.03): The game is seen as a good ending to Season 1 of The Dark Pictures Anthology, setting a foundation for future games.
- Recommended for completionists (weight 0.02): Some players suggest buying and playing the game just for the sake of completing the series or collection.

Other player notes:
- Controller and cloud save support (weight 0.03): The game supports controllers and cloud saves, which enhances the gaming experience for many players.
- Free DLC available (weight 0.02): Players appreciate that the game offers free downloadable content.
- Request for Russification (weight 0.02): Some players have expressed a desire for the next part of the game to be Russified, indicating a demand for localization.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Players are primarily frustrated with the game due to a multitude of bugs and technical issues, including camera problems, poor gameplay mechanics, and performance issues like frame rate drops and stuttering. Additionally, illogical character actions, unclear instructions, and repetitive gameplay mechanics contribute to the frustration. The lack of developer support in addressing these issues further exacerbates the problem.
- Disappointment (weight 0.25): Disappointment stems from the game's decline in quality compared to previous installments, with players citing poor story execution, unlikable characters, and numerous technical issues. The lack of innovation in gameplay mechanics, poor optimization, and a weak storyline also contribute to this sentiment. Many players feel the game did not live up to its potential or the standards set by earlier games in the series.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players express satisfaction with the game's engaging story, improved gameplay mechanics, and overall positive experience. The graphics, voice acting, and replayability are also highlighted as strong points. Despite some performance issues, the enjoyable narrative and character interactions contribute to a satisfying experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment is derived from the game's engaging story, strong atmosphere, and the overall positive experience despite some bugs. Players appreciate the improved graphics, emotional engagement, and the thrill of playing with friends. The captivating atmosphere and tense moments also add to the enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's atmosphere, tension, and story twists. The new gameplay mechanics, realistic horror elements, and the overall engaging experience contribute to this excitement. The desire to achieve 100% completion and the love for the game's setting also add to the thrill.
- Anger (weight 0.05): Anger is primarily caused by the game's poor quality, including numerous bugs, poor story execution, and frustrating gameplay mechanics. Players are also angry about the lack of attention to detail, poorly designed puzzles, and meaningless jumpscares. The overall negative experience and the feeling that the game was not well-tested contribute to this anger.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is elicited by the game's effective horror elements, including jump scares, scary moments, and the creepy atmosphere. The setting and the Killer character are particularly noted for being frightening. The tension and adrenaline-pumping moments also contribute to the fear experienced by players.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement comes from the game's unintentionally funny moments, such as bugs and character behaviors that resemble Teletubbies or old animals. Players also find humor in sacrificing characters for personal well-being and eye-tracking issues. These elements provide a light-hearted contrast to the game's horror themes.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom is caused by the game's slow pacing, repetitive gameplay, and lack of engaging action. Players find the beginning of the story boring and the overall gameplay uninteresting. The lack of innovation and the feeling of a walking simulator contribute to this sentiment.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from illogical character actions, confusing plot holes, and an unclear ending. Players are also confused by the disparity between negative reviews and their own gameplay experience. The lack of clear instructions and explanations for certain events adds to this confusion.
- Hope (weight 0): Hope is expressed for future improvements in the next installment of the game series. Players hope that the developers will address the current issues and enhance the gameplay experience, similar to how they updated other games in the series.
- Excited (weight 0): Players are excited about the game's strong atmosphere, engaging story, and new gameplay mechanics. The cool story and the Director's Cut version, along with interesting mechanics and a strong atmosphere, contribute to this excitement.
- Satisfied (weight 0): Satisfaction comes from the game's great storyline, characters, and tranquil gameplay. Players appreciate the overall positive aspects of the game, including its engaging narrative and well-developed characters.
- Patience (weight 0): Patience is required as the game gets good after an initial slow pace. Players understand that the game can feel slow and drawn out at the beginning, but it improves over time.}