The Evil Within is a survival horror game that takes place in a mental asylum.
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Story & Themes
The game starts out with three detectives on route to a mental asylum after a call comes in that something has happened. Upon arrival, they find that all the doctors have been killed. One of the detectives, Sebastian Castellanos (the player character) is knocked out by a mysterious figure, and awakens to find himself in a dungeon-like setting; he is surrounded by bodies, and must escape from an intimidating man with a chainsaw. It is unclear what has happened, but Castellanos seems to be in a nightmare version of the asylum.
It turns out that Castellanos, along with several others, has been captured in the mind of a deranged former doctor, and must contend with the fearful scenarios of both the doctor and patients, who are being experimented on in the real world. Castellanos must find a way to escape the doctor's mind.
Save Points
There are savepoints intermittently, typically not too far apart.
Heads Up!
Violence The Evil Within is intensely violent. The character will wade through pools of gore, fight off human-like enemies with barbed wire or glass piercing their bodies, and witness acts of torture and butchery. Blood and gore is ubiquitous in the scenery. Medical experimentation is also a central theme.
Scary Imagery Because this is a horror game, much of the imagery is meant to terrify. There are also frequent jump scares. While the main character does have access to weapons, it is often more useful to run and hide from the difficult-to-kill enemies, and ammo is in short supply.
Strong Language Strong language is used, but no gendered or racial slurs are present. Strong language occurs fairly infrequently, however.
Substance Use Castellanos can pick up empty alcohol bottles and throw them to distract enemies, and some items he uses to restore health cause temporary hallucinations.
Discrimination Mentall illness is depicted unrealistically in this game.
Conversation Starters
- There is a trope in horror media of mental illness or places related to mental illness being scary. Why do you think this is? Are there historical precedents for this fear?
- Are there any negative repercussions of this stereotype for real people who are mentally ill?
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