If I had a pound for every time I typed the word Bethesda this week, I could probably have outbid Microsoft and purchased ZeniMax myself - but it's such a big win for Xbox fans that it's hard not to talk about it. The initial announcement seems like a lifetime ago, and now here we are, it's official, the knot has been tied, and we can now enjoy the honeymoon phase. The analogy for this being the huge addition of Xbox Game Pass games this week - one of which holds a special place in my heart.
And that little gem is The Evil Within. A series which has gone slightly overlooked with all the other big names being thrown around. Elder Scrolls, Dishonored, Doom - they've all been talked about massively as the deal has transpired, but my poor little baby has sat at the side lines, like the last one to be picked for a football team at school. But really, it's the underdog out of the whole lot and worth anyone's time - horror fan or not.
Very few new IPs dare to try something new and different these days. We have the same open worlds, the same first-person shooters, and the same predictable horror games, but The Evil Within is so much more. Sure, it wears its Resident Evil inspirations on its back like a 'kick me' sign, but it has a whole identity of its own that is just so weird and strange to me that I can hardly believe an AAA game such as this got made. Everything feels so off key and out of touch, that it's consistent uneasiness is what makes it incredibly unique.
Over recent weeks, one of the main media consumptions has been WandaVision - a watercooler show which has got everyone talking. Each episode delivered new breadcrumbs of information and kept people hooked. The Evil Within has a same premise of throwing you in at the deep end and slowly unravelling the central mystery to you. Its confusion is one of its charms and the final 'aha!' moment is worth the gruelling, terrifying ride. It's chapters also play out in a serial fashion, turning it into an easy to binge horror show
But the story alone wouldn't be enough if it wasn't packed with intense horror, which it delivers by the bucket load. All these years later and some of the disturbing visuals are burned into my retinas as if I've undergone some terrible laser eye surgery. Honestly, there's one creature that goes by the name of Laura which has had me checking every nook and cranny of my house multiple times in the occasional late night thought I might have mentally projected her into reality. Arachnophobes, you have been warned.
These horrifying situations are only further amplified by the lack of ammo and resources in the world. I don't respond well to stressful circumstances, but the fact that The Evil Within constantly has me pushing past my inner struggle to prevail is a testament to how engaging it is. Through its disgusting art design and engaging narrative, I wanted to see and explore every corner.
But my main point is that I hope it encourages people to seek out its vastly superior sequel. If you think I've given glowing praise to this, you've seen nothing yet. Everything this game does right, The Evil Within 2 dials up to eleven, but to make that journey worthwhile, you need to go to the beginning, experience the roots, and invest yourself in the story. The sequel has some huge emotional payoffs that I'm not sure would work without seeing how it all started. I even teared up by the end of it, which is not something you can say about many horror games.
I'm sure it'll be added to Xbox Game Pass in the future, but for now you have plenty of time to experience its origins. I want this series to be successful, I want it to share it with more people, and I want to continue. So if you're going to do one thing this weekend - grab some covers, turn off all the lights, and dive into one of the best haunted house rides that Xbox has to offer, because The Evil Within is an absolute treat.
Will you be checking out The Evil Within on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 25
I have owned the game on disc for almost 5 years and not played it yet and I also have the sequel so probably give it another few years before I get to it.
I played it when it came out and only got so far, it didn’t stick with me. It felt pretty janky even back then.
The Evil Within a great game, but it certainly shows its age now. Still well worth playing, and the sequel is just sublime.
I own it physically just never got around to playing it yet.. My backlog is huge..
I love this series and I'm hoping for a comeback now that the deal has gone through.
No where near as good as number 2 but still a very good game, love these survival horror games and number two added to that genre by adding an explorable town with side quests.
Ok, I admit it : you convinced me. I'm adding it to the list, right now !
While I wouldn't say this is one of Mikami's finest, it's definitely worth a look. I'd like to see the series continue, though.
This article X100. A fantastic game from Shinji Mikami. The sequel is well worth a play too, but the original stands out in my mind just a bit more. Highly recommend Prey.
This game is great! This is classic survival horror at it’s best - though I would say it focuses on the survival more than the horror as you really need to learn to save those resources for bigger battles.
The story is a mind trip, too!
Might be a little too much “gore porn” for some, but I really enjoyed it. It’s intense like the original Resident Evil on PS1 is intense.
EDIT: Would be a great candidate for FPS Boost, too!
I have a feeling DOOM 3 will get a FPS Boost to 120, since the Game Pass PC version has a 120fps option.
The Evil Within is rough but great, in some ways better than the sequel but the sequel is also better in other ways. They're quite different (the director is different, too). As a game, the first might be better because of the setting although not Mikami's best output but the second is technically better. I liked both.
@pip_muzz I've always been half interested in prey, worth a go?
@Bmartin001 @Enigk glad to see I'm not the only one that buys games and doesn't play them😆😆
I forgot to say that the DLC of The Evil Within is awesome.
@Deljo Id definitely say so. It's nothing like the 360 game Prey really... But it's very interesting and fun.
Sadly, I played it on PS4 and was extremely disappointed with it. It was creative, but beyond that it played horribly and just never grabbed my attention.
I tried to get into it a couple of years ago, but sadly I didn’t like it. I got tired and frustrated when I got to the RE4-ish village, and never picked up the game again.
So funny, I downloaded this right before logging into the site. Have wanted to try the franchise out for a few years now. It's finally time!
I do hope MS let Tango Gameworks have another crack at a horror game if not Evil Within 3, something else.
Need to keep the genre alive and kicking with the best working on it and Mikami is one of them.
Love the first game didn't enjoy the second as much
Picked these up on sale earlier, and not even started. I do need to get onto it at some point.
"Arachnophobes, you have been warned." Oh crap 😭
@JoakimZ
That's exactly what my expeeience with this game was when I played it on PC a few years ago. Glad the author enjoyed it but to me it was janky, outdated graphics and nonsensical plot that made me lose interest.
Started the game once on ps4. My biggest issue was the performance. I wait & hope for 60fos boost.
I've only played the sequel. I absolutely loved it and adored the emotional ending, even without any knowledge of the first game. Am I missing a lot of backstory by not having played it yet?
Wasn't overly fond the the original, but I did enjoy the sequel a lot more.
That seems to be contracted to PS Now at the moment, so when that expires, expect to see that hit Game Pass.
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