The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope

(Spoiler-free)
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is a story-based psychological horror focused on the player's choices and their consequences. If you came across this game on the internet, you must have already seen some familiar faces that are a part of it. This is a game where characters are played by real actors. Not some actors but actually a hollywood-level ones. That in itself should already get people’s attention and guarantee some type of experience. At first glance, everything looks fine but after beating the game for the second time now (there are many more to come), I still have mixed feelings about this game. There are as many positive things about it as there are negatives. I am not completely okay with giving this game a positive rating as something in between positive and negative would be more suitable.
Let me start with my first impression which wasn’t particularly positive. The opening scene was pretty heavy. A solid introduction to the game giving you a glimpse of what the game is about and what you are going to experience later. After that we have some type of intro, an unusual scene that you would never expect to see in a horror game. It evoked in me the feelings of cringe. It was completely unnecessary. It introduces us to a man going by the nickname of The Curator. This scene had a completely opposite vibe of the one the game represents. It feels like the game gets only worse from here.
The Curator is a man who can be considered a narrator in this story. This is a very well-written character who has a lot of charisma and mystery around him. I also really like the way he is dressed along with his hairstyle which corresponds well to the whole outfit. For some reason I really dig this style. The man himself adds a special flavour to the whole narrative which makes the whole experience better in every way. I really enjoyed those interactions and I was patiently waiting and craving for more. Unfortunately, there are only a few of them which was pretty disappointing for me. It definitely wouldn’t be the same game without him. I would even go as far as to say that if he wasn’t a part of this story, I probably wouldn’t be recommending this game right now. He is a great addition to the game.
Let’s talk about the horror aspect of the title. The atmosphere is pretty heavy. It is dark all around you and you constantly hear sounds of the forest, animals or monsters lurking in the shadows. The game tries to create a feeling of constantly being followed by something. That said, this is a solid game when it comes to climate. Aside from that, there are a ton of jump scares which are tacky. I am glad the devs came up with more ways of “scaring” us. You are even asked to adjust your brightness setting so that one symbol is not visible, the other is barely visible and the last is clearly visible. This puts your brightness at around 12. I guess this is how this game is supposed to be played but I didn’t enjoy it and made a decision to change it back to normal after my first playthrough. Total darkness made it very difficult to explore and even see where you are going. Everything is literally pitch black and you only have your phone which is, not at all, a reliable source of light because you cannot aim with it. I especially struggled to play on a sunny day because I couldn’t see anything on my monitor. The game was simply too dark. Lowering the brightness didn’t help the game but actually affected my experience in a negative way.
I found the story to be pretty uninteresting, shallow and lacking sense. A lot of threads were started but only a small percentage of them were actually dived into or explained in any way. It is like a movie, especially when you see all those familiar faces of well-known actors, but not necessarily a good movie. The ending was pretty disappointing for me and left more questions than answers. There is also more of watching than actually playing it. Aside from having to pick dialogue options, react to quick time events and walk forward, you don’t really have to do anything else. Speaking of walking, that’s basically what you will be doing for 20 to 30% of the time. There is a ton of walking forward through either a street or a forest in total darkness with only your phone as a source of light. That is not necessarily an entertaining activity and it gets boring very quickly.
There are a few unique characters in this game played by real actors. They didn’t just pick anyone because the selection was really great. I believe that acting and voice acting are on a very high level here. Every character had a unique personality and I was able to relate to every single one of them in some way. They were also uniquely important to the story because every one of them added something interesting and all those personalities were each other’s opposites. Employing professionals was a good idea. I only had a problem with John. He is speaking with only his left side of the mouth which looks like he is constantly smirking. It is annoying, looks weird and very unnatural. I don’t believe that this was done on purpose but it has been there since the release. The developers seem to have acknowledged it but they have never moved a finger towards getting this sorted.
In order to complete the game achievement-wise, you are going to have to beat this game at least 6 times. At the time of writing this section, I have already beaten the game twice. As far as the replayability goes, it is actually pretty good. I did not expect to enjoy my second playthrough more than my first. I approached it more calmly knowing what to expect and I had clear objectives in mind which I was going for in this playthrough. The time definitely passed more quickly compared to my first attempt. I am actually okay with replaying this game for the third time but, in general, I don’t think that I will still be enjoying the game before I manage to finish it achievement-wise. The replayability is good but not for the amount of times that is required for all the achievements.
To sum up, I played a game with a pretty bad story but offering great climate and characters. It is also like a movie offering a similar yet more engaging experience. There are multiple endings and multiple ways to influence the story. I must confess that I played this game for the story. I am not fond of the horror genre not because I am scared but because it is simply not my cup of tea. The fans of horror games can have a completely different experience compared to mine. In my opinion, there are as many positives as there are negatives. I had a real struggle whether I should rate it positive or negative. I am giving this game a recommended rating because I think this game is worth playing for the experience it offers, not because of how good the game is.
If you enjoyed the review you can find more detailed reviews on my curator page here.

A reminder, the Dark Pictures Anthology IS more like a MOVIE than a game. You must be in it for the story more than the actual game play. Little Hope is intense and creepy all the way to the end. A story is a bit too short to my liking but that twist in the end is really nice imo.

Even though this game is pretty controversal amongst the community, I really enjoyed it personally. I loved the new locked trait system and figuring out the mystery.

Great game. Spooky and has few jumpscares, but luckily not often unlike previous game man of medan.
Story is great and will adapt according to your choices. characters are memorable, different personalities,
some are quite haunting. Game's atmosphere is perfect.
Great game for people, who likes spooky games, but hates "overly" jumpscare games and like life is strange type of games.

This is the 2nd installment in the Dark Anthology Series, and one of the most difficult in saving all characters....I've played this 3 times, 2 times with my best friends, 1-time solo, and still couldn't figure out the game at all, it has a pretty heavy plot twist that will shock you but it is just like the others if you focus on little details and get invested in all the collectibles you can solve the plot twist early on just like my best friend did. But I will say for this one, that this is better with a friend the pacing is a tad slow at the start and I've read a lot of people have skipped this one because of the lack of pacing and having the weakest character lineup in the Anthology, get it while on sale only but again still buy tho because it's the Dark Anthology.

The way John speaks out of the side of his mouth is super uncanny and distracting. Also stars sid from toy story
I like it.

Little Hope - A Haunting Tale of Mystery and Choices

Little Hope is a captivating and atmospheric psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. From the creators of Until Dawn, this interactive horror experience delivers a chilling narrative filled with twists, turns, and moral dilemmas that will leave you questioning every decision you make.

Set in the eerie town of Little Hope, the game's visuals are hauntingly beautiful, with a sense of foreboding that permeates every scene. The attention to detail in the environments and character design draws you into the story and enhances the feeling of isolation and dread.

The story of Little Hope is a gripping blend of supernatural elements, psychological horror, and mystery. As you guide a group of characters through a series of terrifying events, you'll uncover the dark history of the town and its inhabitants, all while trying to survive the night and escape the malevolent forces at play.

One of the standout features of Little Hope is its emphasis on player choice and consequence. Every decision you make, big or small, can have far-reaching effects on the story and the fate of the characters. This creates a sense of tension and urgency that keeps you invested in every moment, wondering what repercussions your choices will have down the line.

The characters in Little Hope are well-developed and complex, each with their own fears, secrets, and motivations. The stellar voice acting brings them to life, making you care deeply about their fates and adding emotional weight to the unfolding events.

Gameplay-wise, Little Hope offers a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and quick-time events that keep the pace engaging and the tension high. The game's multiple endings and branching paths encourage replayability, as you strive to uncover all the secrets hidden within the town of Little Hope.

In conclusion, Little Hope is a must-play for fans of narrative-driven horror games. With its atmospheric setting, compelling story, and impactful choices, it delivers a memorable and immersive experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Prepare to be scared, surprised, and thoroughly entertained as you unravel the mysteries of Little Hope.