Supermassive Games, after the release of the cult classic,Until Dawn, doubled down on the formula and started to make shorter narrative-focused games, each featuring a different storyline. This allowed them to release a new game every year, which is how they were able to release four games in theDark Pictures Anthology, which started with Man of Medan in 2019 and ended with Devil in Me in 2022.
7 Best Horror Games To Play in the Dark
Could I get some more nighttime with my horror game, please?
Devil in Me marked the end of the first season of TDPA, with the second season kicking off with Directive 8020. Here’s a ranking of all the games released so far in the Dark Pictures Anthology.
4Little Hope
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
A fog-choked town, an unsettling past and a group of characters searching for the truth; Little Hope had all the right ingredients for a gripping supernaturalhorror story. Its premise, centering on a group stranded in an abandoned town while being tormented by ghostly apparitions tied to the Salem witch trials, had the potential to be the strongest entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology. But while the atmosphere and psychological horror elements are commendable, Little Hope stumbles in ways that keep it from ranking higher.
One of the biggest missteps came with its ending, which left many players divided. The game ultimately reveals that much of what happens is a fabrication of the protagonist’s mind, a twist that significantly undermines the choices made throughout the story. Unlike the other entries in the series, where decisions feel like they carry real weight, Little Hope struggles to deliver meaningful consequences, making replayability feel less rewarding.
Despite its narrative issues, the game does shine in its eerie presentation. The town’s desolate streets, shifting timelines, and disturbing flashbacks to witch trial executions create a palpable sense of unease. The monster designs, inspired by historical torture methods, are grotesque and unnerving. The characters themselves, however, don’t quite match the depth seen in other entries, with some coming off as bland or lacking in development.
Had the game stuck the landing with its story rather than pulling a rug out from under the player, it could have been a standout psychological horror experience. Instead, Little Hope feels like an ambitious concept that doesn’t fully deliver, leaving it at the bottom of the ranking.
3Man of Medan
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
The Dark Pictures Anthology Season 1 kicked off with Man of Medan, a maritimehorrortale loosely based on the legend of the SS Ourang Medan, a ghost ship said to have mysteriously lost its entire crew under unexplained circumstances. The game follows five playable characters who set out on a diving expedition only to be taken hostage by pirates and later stranded on a haunted warship filled with secrets.
Where Man of Medan excels is in its claustrophobic atmosphere. The rusted corridors of the ship feel suffocating, every shadow hides something sinister and the oppressive silence only amplifies the dread. The game’s central twist, that the ship’s horrors are driven by a hallucinogenic gas rather than actual ghosts, adds an interesting psychological layer, forcing players to question what’s real and what’s paranoia-induced terror.
Man of Medan is far from flawless, though. Early playthroughs were plagued with technical issues, including janky animations and stiff character movements that occasionally pulled players out of the immersion. The pacing also suffers from an uneven start, as the game takes its time setting things up before it finally plunges into the horror. And while the branching paths and character deaths add variety, some choices feel too arbitrary, leading to frustrating outcomes.
Despite these issues, Man of Medan remains a solid horror experience, setting the foundation for what The Dark Pictures Anthology would later refine. The game may not be the scariest in the series, but its claustrophobic setting and paranoia-driven narrative make it a worthy entry.
2Devil in Me
A House of Horrors
The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me
The Devil in Me takes a different approach from its predecessors by leaning more into slasher horror than supernatural terror. Loosely inspired by real-life murderer H.H. Holmes and his infamous “Murder Castle,” the game follows a documentary team lured to a remote island under the pretense of filming a piece on a replica of the hotel where Holmes carried out his crimes. Naturally, things spiral into a blood-soaked nightmare.
What sets The Devil in Me apart is its interactivity. While previous games in The Dark Pictures Anthology focused on QTE-heavy decision-making, this entry introduces expanded gameplay mechanics, including inventory management, puzzles and more exploration-based elements. The killer, Du’Met, is also one of the most menacing antagonists in the series, methodically hunting down each character in ways reminiscent of classic slasher villains.
The 10 Best Puzzle Games of the Past Decade
Puzzle games may not get as much focus as other genres these days, but these titles prove that they can deliver some terrific brainteasers.
The biggest strength is its setting: an elaborate mansion designed as a deathtrap, complete with shifting hallways, hidden chambers and Saw-like contraptions. Every room presents a new hazard, making each scene feel tense and unpredictable. The writing and character interactions don’t always match the intensity of the premise, however, with some dialogue feeling stiff or forced. Some players also found the pacing to be uneven, particularly in the later sections where the tension dips just when it should be escalating.
Even with its shortcomings, The Devil in Me offers the most unique horror experience in the series, adding fresh mechanics that make the player feel more involved. It may not be the scariest entry, but its unsettling atmosphere and methodical antagonist make it one of the most gripping.
1House of Ashes
Fear Beneath the Sand
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Where Little Hope misled players with its supernatural elements, House of Ashes fully commits to them. Set during the Iraq War, the game follows a group of American and Iraqi soldiers who fall into a massive underground temple teeming with terrifying creatures. Unlike the ghosts and hallucinations of previous entries, the threats here are very real: ancient, vampiric monsters that have been lying dormant for centuries.
What makes House of Ashes the strongest entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology is its blend of horror, action and character-driven storytelling. The game introduces some of the best protagonists in the series, including Salim, an Iraqi soldier who quickly became a fan favorite for his pragmatic and level-headed approach to survival. The dynamic between the characters, forced to work together despite their conflicting backgrounds, adds depth beyond simple horror tropes.
The creatures themselves are some of the most fearsome in the anthology and their designs are heavily influenced by the lore of Mesopotamian mythology. Encounters with them are genuinely terrifying, as they hunt using echolocation and can easily overwhelm unprepared players. Unlike previous entries, which leaned more on suspense, House of Ashes embraces intense, action-heavy sequences while still maintaining its horror roots.
Another standout aspect is the level design. The underground temple is vast, filled with ancient architecture, eerie carvings and pitch-black caverns where danger lurks in every corner. The game also improves on technical aspects, with smoother animations and a camera system that gives players more control, making exploration feel more natural.
Between its compelling story, engaging characters and relentless horror, House of Ashes delivers the most complete experience in the anthology. It takes the best elements of its predecessors and refines them into a thrilling survival horroradventure, making it the undisputed best game in The Dark Pictures Anthology so far.
The characters in House of Ashes are extremely well written. While playing the game, other than making the decisions that made the characters stay alive, I was engrossed with Jason, Eric, and Rachel’s love triangle. I went ahead and tried to fix Rachel and Eric’s marriage because it felt like the right thing to do, but this just goes ahead to show how relatable the characters in the game are.
10 Classic Horror Games from the 2000s
Here are some of the best horror games from the 2000s.
