“Evil Within 2” Brings Psychological Horror Back with Improvements

The original “Evil Within,” from 2014, was one of the sleeper hits of the year. Featuring the heroic Detective Sebastian Castellanos investigating strange occurrences at Beacon Mental Hospital, it was a phenomenal addition to the survival horror genre.

The sequel, which came out on October 13, however, is even more frightening than the original, and that’s a good thing.

This story takes the detective into his most difficult case yet, as he follows a supernatural serial killer in a town overrun by monsters to try and save his lost daughter. This time around, the enemies are stronger, the nights darker and the music even more heart-pounding.

The clear and most dominant feature in this game is its masterful use of sound. Nothing is more nerve-racking than trying to creep through what you once believed to be an abandoned town, only to hear a chilling wail in the distance. Every splash, even a puddle noisily treaded upon, makes you wonder if you have given your position away.

The combat mechanics have also been improved. With a far easier-to-manage upgrade system, more noticeable progress can be made as you go from a helpless victim to a fully-stocked monster hunter.

“Evil Within 2” is not without cons. Once again, the main character of Sebastian is more of a stand-in for the player, with no real concrete emotions. His cartoonish responses of, “What the…?” after witnessing unexplainable shows of the supernatural could easily turn into a lethal drinking game. There does not seem to be more than two dozen lines within the entire first three chapters of this virtual thriller.

Despite the drawbacks, Sebastian is not all bad this time around. With a slightly-improved voice actor and Keanu Reeves-esque model, one can almost imagine themselves in a supernatural “John Wick”-style tale.

The difficulty of the game must be noted. “Evil Within 2,” much like its predecessor, is a very hard game, even on its medium setting. The early game can be especially demanding, as you scrounge around frantically in the dark, looking for just one or two bullets to save your life down the line.

That being said, fans of games such as “Dark Souls” or “Bloodborne” will appreciate this edge-of-your seat challenge. Also, fans of the original “Evil Within” should definitely give this sequel a chance, and newcomers will not be lost or disappointed in this well-crafted adventure.