With Shinji Mikami, one of the directors of the original Resident Evil, producing, expectations were high to deliver an immersive and frightening horror experience.

The continuation of the story of Sebastian Castellanos, with the aim of rescuing his daughter in the alternate STEM reality, allows players to relive the events and traumas of the previous game. I was looking forward to the introduction of new creatures and previously unseen horrors that appear in the trailer and provide a sense of the new and unknown, a key element in keeping players interested.



Furthermore, Tango Gameworks made us wait 3 years for this new title, and I don't know if it was a coincidence that it was also released on October 13th. For this review, The Evil Within 2 was played on Xbox One.

Story

The Evil Within 2 keeps the essence of the first game, following detective Sebastian Castellanos, three years after the events of the previous one. The plot is intriguing, plunging the player into a narrative full of suspense and mystery. The discovery that Sebastian's daughter is still alive and being held as the primary host of the STEM-generated world adds a strong emotional element to the story. The protagonist's motivation to rescue his daughter and save the lost Mobius agents is a powerful plot driver.



Diving deep into the psyche of Sebastian Castellanos, our detective is still healing from the traumatizing events of the previous game. Desperate to find his daughter Lily, whom he believed was dead, Sebastian is recruited by former colleague Juli Kidman to rescue her from the mind simulation known as STEM, where the human mind can be connected and manipulated.

In this digital nightmare, Sebastian must face his darkest fears as he wanders through a city called Union, which is a mixture of memories, dreams and nightmares of its inhabitants. The story is full of twists, mysterious characters and moments of pure tension, keeping players engaged from start to finish.

The addition of new characters and creatures provides additional layers to the story, making it more complex and engaging. However, as mentioned in the review, some players may feel that the story isn't as memorable as the previous game's. The simplicity that the story is presented could be one of the reasons for this sensation, in addition to the fact that the game seems to be aimed mainly at fans of the first title, with little explanation for new players.



However, the setting and horror atmosphere are strong points of the narrative, with clear influences from classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Third-person gameplay complements the experience, offering a familiar and effective mix of action and horror.

Gameplay

The Evil Within 2 features refined gameplay over its predecessor. The game offers the option of a more stealthy or direct combat approach, allowing players to choose the tactic that best suits their play style. 

Exploring Union's open world is an essential part of the experience. Players can find resources to enhance their skills, ammo for weapons, and documents that deepen the story. The atmosphere is dense and menacing, encouraging exploration but also maintaining a constant sense of danger.



Enemies are diverse and terrifying, from twisted creatures to insane humans who have lost their sanity in STEM. Sebastian's scarcity of resources and vulnerability heighten the suspense, creating a constant atmosphere of tension.

The new weapon crafting and upgrading system is definitely one of the strengths of The Evil Within 2. It adds a strategic and tactical layer to the game, giving players the opportunity to customize their weapons and equipment to suit their play style and specific needs.

The use of leftover items found throughout the game to improve equipment or crafting new weapons is a welcome change from the more traditional points-spending system. Not only does this encourage players to explore the game world for resources, but it also creates a sense of reward in finding valuable items to improve your arsenal.



The scarcity of collectibles, such as ammunition, contributes to the climate of difficulty common in horror games, forcing players to be cautious with the use of their resources and to make strategic decisions during the game. This heightens the sense of vulnerability and immersion in the terrifying world of The Evil Within 2.

The idea of being able to craft in any STEM location, but being more efficient in purpose-built workbenches, is a smart addition as it adds a resource management dimension to the game. Players need to weigh the cost-benefit of crafting gear right away or waiting for a more suitable opportunity to do so, which makes the crafting process more strategic. 

The fact that the creation system is presented in a simplified and practical way, with predefined requirements to activate and develop equipment in real time, makes the mechanic more accessible and interesting, preventing it from becoming a complicated or tedious aspect of the game. 



In general, the new weapon crafting and upgrading system is a significant addition to The Evil Within 2, enriching the gameplay with both strategic and tactical elements, and providing a more immersive and rewarding experience for players dedicated to exploring and surviving the scary and challenging world of the game.

The developers have sinned in the form of boss battles. Before they were more challenging, with puzzles and strategies to defeat them, now they have been simplified, following a repetitive strategy of "run, shoot, hide, repeat". Which makes fights predictable and less exciting. Also, the idea of saving ammo for the next battle might decrease the challenge.

The game has different difficulty levels that suit different playing styles. The "Survival" level is manageable with enough resources to meet the challenges. The "Nightmare" level increases the difficulty, making enemies stronger and scarcer in resources. If you want an even bigger challenge, you can unlock "Classic" mode, which disables autosaves and limits available resources. These extra options provide a true survival horror experience, where finding resources is difficult and enemies are more dangerous.



Graphics

The visual design is the highlight of The Evil Within 2. With an incredibly detailed aesthetic, the settings are diverse, illustrating the erratic and unpredictable nature of the game world. This significantly contributes to the feeling of insecurity and immersion, making the experience visually impressive and immersive. From dark and claustrophobic locations to surreal and horrifying landscapes, the game immerses players in rich and disturbing environments. The lightining atmosphere and sound effects add to the feeling of unease and constant fear.

The quality of the character models in The Evil Within 2 is good, but there's still a certain lack of emotion in some of them, especially the secondary characters. On the other hand, the game's environments are impressive, with a distant field of view in open places and well-crafted and detailed interior environments. This makes for an immersive and immersive experience as you explore the dark and frightening world of the game.



The Evil Within 2's soundtrack is a key element in building atmosphere. Composed by Masatoshi Yanagi, it's excellent and enhances the game's tense, combat atmosphere.

The sounds of gunshots and nearby noises were well crafted, contributing to the player's immersion in the terrifying world of the game. Disturbing sounds such as grunts, screams and moans increase the mood of fear and apprehension. Furthermore, the inclusion of an amazing exclusive version of "Ordinary World" by the band Duran Duran in the soundtrack is a remarkable addition to the game.



The Evil Within 2 is an excellent sequel that surpasses its predecessor in many ways. With an immersive story, enhanced gameplay, stunning graphics and an unsettling horror atmosphere, the game delivers a high-quality psychological horror experience. 

Though it has occasional technical issues and odd pacing, the game still offers plenty of surprises and impactful moments. With a long 15-hour campaign, it manages to build tension and scare when needed, while still allowing the freedom to explore at will. The balance is admirable, leaving a strong lasting impression even after conclusion.

Fans of the genre and the series will not be disappointed with this haunting journey through the mind of Sebastian Castellanos in search of his lost daughter. It's a game that is sure to stay in players' memories long after they've completed the exciting journey into STEM. The Evil Within 2 is a solid sequel that has managed to retain the essence of the franchise while offering a captivating psychological horror experience.