Horror games can be fun if done right. Resident Evil set the pace, but Silent Hill was my favorite, because I enjoyed the story, drama and suspense. Likewise, The Suffering, hooked me right into the story, the characters, the location and the expectations of things to come, all while scaring the shit out of me!
You play as Torque, who at the start of the game is being led to a cell on death row at the Abbot State Penitentiary, because he murdered his wife and kids. However, Torque does not remember anything so you don’t know if he really did it or not. What you do know is that there is something very wrong with the prison--creatures appear in the night, killing inmates and guards with reckless abandon. Torque, who strangely can turn into a creature himself (or at least it appears), must either save the day or just escape the hell that he is in!
I enjoyed this game immensely and I played through all 20 levels to the game’s conclusion, earning one of three alternate endings based on the choices I made in the game (save people, kill them or do a little of both). I did it all without codes or cheats, unlike other reviewers who never can give a true account of the game.
In case you did not get it the first time The Suffering kicks serious ass! The Suffering works on so many levels and the experience is optimized by playing the game in the dark trying to keep your wits about you, battling creatures that can crawl on the ceiling or sinister little girls who sing Ring Around the Rosy one minute, burst into the flames and come to kill you next. The creatures are so cool and well designed, reminiscent, but better than Silent Hill.
The mood of the story is really intense, because you start out just wandering around, knowing that something bad is going to happen. Then, suddenly, creatures start coming out of the woodwork and thankfully, to practically an unlimited supply of ammo, you are blasting things left and right and there is no end to the violence; it just keep escalating until the very hostile end. There is one scene where just dozens of creatures with guns attached to their back pop up through the ground, tied to stakes. They break free and start shooting and all you have is a machine gun and luck on your side. Oh, what a rush!
The graphics bring The Suffering all to life, (but I hope the creators do not think cutting corners, like i.e. having all the guards and inmates look alike). It was so cool when blood splatters all over Torque as he went on a rampage, but the best graphics in this whole game are the scenery, which are absolutely stunning! The dim lighting adds to the scare factor and the quick cut scenes, both real and in the mind were off the hook!
From the beating of your heart, the voices in your head to the creepy sounds of creatures in the distance the sound effects of The Suffering just built on that deep seeded fear, causing me slight emotional suffering!
The developers of this game really went above and beyond to make The Suffering’s story line the main reason why this game was that damn good! As you progress through each terrifying level you learn more and more about the characters, the murders, the prison and the creatures, and believe me nothing is as it seems.
Of course, adding in puzzles, ranging from easy to difficult, rounded The Suffering out, giving the gamer a title with depth and not just a game about wandering aimlessly killing anything in your way. The Suffering's story and game play will keep your mind working overtime. Yes, despite the title, you won’t have to suffer through playing the game. The Suffering is just a delight to play! You won’t even mind having to clean up after shitting your pants.
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