The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes_PART 8

The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes is an interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the third installment in the first season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. The game features a multilinear plot where decisions significantly impact the story trajectory and relationships between the five playable protagonists. Some choices can even lead to permanent character deaths.

Set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the game follows five characters: four Americans working for the US Armed Forces and one Iraqi Republican Guard. They must escape from an underground Akkadian temple and survive the vampiric creatures infesting the area. The game’s leading actress, CIA operative Rachel King, is portrayed by Ashley Tisdale. The soundtrack, composed by Jason Graves, was created during COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom.

House of Ashes incorporates staple mechanics from The Dark Pictures Anthology, including quick time events (QTEs), two single-player and two multiplayer modes, and collectibles that reveal visions of possible future events. New features include a more interactive camera system, a handheld light source for easier navigation, and three difficulty levels to manage QTEs.

The game draws inspiration from films like Aliens, Predator, and The Descent, as well as H. P. Lovecraft’s novella At the Mountains of Madness and the myth of the Curse of Akkad. The creatures were created using motion capture and hand animation, while the temple’s design was influenced by ancient Mesopotamian architecture. Military specialists and Arabic speakers were consulted to ensure an accurate depiction of the war12.

In House of Ashes, players switch control between five characters who find themselves trapped in long-lost ruins after a routine mission goes awry. As they explore, they discover they are being stalked by something otherworldly lurking in the darkness3.