There was a genuine sense of intrigue when I fired up Bendy and the Ink Machine for the first time. A unique looking game that you wouldn’t necessarily guess it’s a horror title at first glance. It’s safe to say that I didn’t really know what to expect, but when playing the game, aside from the visual style, my first impressions during the first chapter weren’t particularly good. Things got better, but never getting to the level I was hoping for, as there are a few issues preventing it from doing so.
Players take control of Henry, a former cartoonist for the animation studio Joey Drew. You’ve been welcomed back to visit your old workplace, only to find it in complete disarray, the complete absence of anyone else around, rather troubling writings adorning the walls written in ink, boards on the doors preventing you from entering, and simply An eerie vibe to the place in general.
Bendy: The Dark Descent
Horror games, for me, rarely stimulate any part of my being. Maybe I’m too used to the scare tactics developers use or maybe my guard is up too high, but I’m rarely surprised by a «scary» game. Even the notorious Amnesia: The Dark Descent did little to shake me to the bone, but it also didn’t rely solely on horror to get players up.
Walking into the Bendy and the Ink Machine RTX demo, all I knew was that it was a psychological horror adventure. I thought I would be firm in my determination and not jump one bit and that was certainly true. I guess I’m completely sick of those particular tactics. What I didn’t expect to find was a game that almost mirrored Amnesia in its format with a dash of BioShock atmosphere.
Conclusion
Bendy and the Ink Machine is a pretty good action-horror movie, and while it can feel a bit bland at times, it can’t be faulted for its originality. There are a couple of design and technical issues to iron out, but overall, the fresh and distinctive look, along with some good scares, will certainly get your heart racing every time.
This game was tested and reviewed on Xbox One. All opinions and ideas here are subject to that version.
