10 Smartest Horror Video Game Decisions

Following from their work on the Penumbra Series, Frictional Games moved onto Amnesia: The Dark Descent. Releasing back in 2010, it received praise for its sanity system, atmospheric elements, and use of audio elements to build tension.

It focused on Daniel, who awakens within the Prussian Brennenburg Castle with little memory of who he is, outside of his name. Discovering a letter from himself, it confirms he deliberately wiped his memory to forget his past and explains that you need to kill Alexander, Brennenburg’s Baron.

It also warns him of a mysterious Shadow, one you cannot fight against and urges Daniel to escape it. Heading to the Castle’s inner sanctum, you’ll eventually find Alexander in front of an Orb, surrounded by pillars providing it energy as he attempts a ritual.

Daniel is left with three options on how to stop Alexander at this stage. He can stop the ritual but curious players can also let it happen, a completely illogical decision which not only witnesses Alexander win but leaves Daniel to face the Shadow.

The more intelligent decision comes from knocking over the pillars and should players choose this, the ritual soon fails and Alexander disintegrates. At this point, it’s then assumed that the Shadow’s influence is gone and Daniel can leave Brennenburg castle with a clear conscience.