All Interactive Supermassive Games, Ranked

Not all decisions we make are equally important. I have a mixed feeling towards Supermassive’s interactive horror games because while some parts are captivating, exciting, and keep me hooked, others stumble badly at the finish line or their difficult choices make them less enjoyable to play again. However, The Dark Pictures Anthology references real events and standalone Supermassive games combine different genres, so there’s something for both gamers and non-gamers based on what kind of story they prefer.

I’m genuinely eager that Directive 8020, Supermassive’s forthcoming game, will be a hit with its tough choices, demanding quick-time events, and relatable characters. Prior to its launch, let’s evaluate all interactive games developed by Supermassive (excluding Shattered State), assigning a rating out of 10 for the overall storyline, the fulfillment of its ending, and how engaging/rememberable the characters are in each game.

8) The Devil in Me

Release date: November 18, 2022
Story rating: 3/10
Character rating: 3/10
Ending rating: 2/10

The Devil Within Me presented an unremarkable storyline with dull personalities. It peaked in its initial 10 minutes before quickly losing momentum. I can barely recall any character names or crucial events, except for the annoyance I felt during certain death sequences due to my choice to give one character an item instead of another. The only thing that stood out (other than the gruesome deaths reminiscent of American Horror Story) was the concept of H.H. Holmes being immortalized, which seemed to glorify a genuine psychopath as if he were on par with the legendary villains from Dead by Daylight. The game never instilled a sense of despair for the characters’ fates, but rather left me feeling that my entire experience was meaningless and a waste of time.

The primary reason I found this game unengaging was because every choice I made seemed like a 50/50 chance, with the possibility of negative consequences if I picked incorrectly. It was tough to determine whether my decision was right or wrong until much later in the game, making it challenging to go back and adjust earlier choices. On a positive note, each character had a unique item that added variety to the gameplay, keeping the exploration interesting. Regrettably, this installment appeared more focused on depicting the cast’s demise than on finding ways to save them all.

7) The Casting of Frank Stone

Release date: September 3, 2024
Story rating: 4/10
Character rating: 7/10
Ending rating: 3/10

The debut of Frank Stone’s character in the Supermassive game was impressive, boasting a charming ensemble of characters. I found the interwoven timelines engaging, but the narrative took an unexpected dark turn when Frank Stone resurfaced, slaughtering everyone. Regrettably, there was little tension, decision-making, or repercussions in this game. Despite wanting to preserve all lives, it seemed futile as the entire plot served more as a drawn-out explanation of how the group turned into survivors and Frank Stone was essentially the first antagonist from Dead by Daylight.

Frank Stone proposed an alternate take on the final part, but it fell short due to a limiting aspect: the ability to return to the beginning of any chapter. However, this feature was incomplete because it only allowed for revisiting scenes related to collectibles, making the process tiresome and aggravating since you couldn’t jump to any scene freely. The restriction was much greater than anticipated. What made it even more annoying was that going back erased your current progress, meaning you’d have to repeat the steps again if you wanted to return to your original point. This was especially frustrating because one of Chris’s early decisions in the game had significant consequences at the end of Frank Stone, so having to go back could potentially alter those outcomes significantly.

6) Man of Medan

Release date: August 30th, 2019
Story rating: 5/10
Character rating: 4/10
Ending rating: 5/10

The game titled “Man of Medan” started off promisingly, but unfortunately lost momentum due to its underdeveloped characters that were superficial at best. It was difficult to form a strong emotional connection with any of them, whether you found them appealing or not. Although the overall plot and horror subgenre showed potential, it suffered from poor pacing and seemed excessively focused on psychological aspects. Some players might find the twist an interesting addition, especially those who appreciate such narrative styles.

The game, “Man of Medan,” had an air of mystery, yet neither supernatural nor psychological fears effectively solidified it as an authentic horror experience. Additionally, the twist in the plot diminished the persistent danger when considering what had been achieved, making the stakes seem lower compared to other Dark Pictures games. However, without the twist factored in, the tension felt more intense than previous entries. This game appeared to be a less complex installment within the Dark Pictures series, which is understandable given it was their first. At times, I found myself yearning for Supermassive to revert to fundamental elements and concentrate on developing well-rounded characters, a captivating narrative, and logical decision-making scenarios.

5) Hidden Agenda

Release date: October 24, 2017
Story rating: 7/10
Character rating: 4/10
Ending rating: 5/10

The intriguing aspect of Hidden Agenda lies in the application of a smartphone for decision-making, which gives it a cinematic feel rather than a typical gaming experience. With no need to divert your gaze from the screen, this enhances its immersion. As time passes, Hidden Agenda seems increasingly relevant, offering a narrative reminiscent of popular Netflix series. The pursuit of a serial killer who poses a threat to you adds an element of realism, and the consequences of your decisions seem authentic, demonstrating a butterfly effect.

Compared to other games by Supermassive Games, Hidden Agenda is much shorter in length, yet its price tag at launch was questionable. However, the convenience of replaying it multiple times for various outcomes is more straightforward than with Dark Pictures Anthology games, where finding specific choices may require trudging through numerous hours of gameplay to hear a character’s lines as the credits roll. Despite having impressive graphics and an engaging storyline, Hidden Agenda falls short in its cooperative play due to its technical glitches and quirks that can arise during gameplay.

4) The Quarry

Release date: June 10, 2022
Story rating: 6/10
Character rating: 6/10
Ending rating: 4/10

In essence, The Quarry aimed to emulate the success of Until Dawn, yet it ventured too close to being an exact replica, almost mirroring what made its precursor nearly perfect. Unfortunately, this imitation resulted in a lack of surprise and predictability. I approached the game with zero expectations, but soon discovered that the supposed killers were actually innocent. Although the characters created by Supermassive are appealing, they lacked any significant character development. There was nothing about them that I loved or disliked, and my instinctual desire to keep everyone safe felt self-centered. The Quarry reached its peak during the introduction of the true danger, but it followed a similar pattern of decline, much like Man of Medan and The Casting of Frank Stone.

As a seasoned gamer, I found The Quarry to be heavily influenced by its predecessor, Until Dawn. This led to some foreseeable plot twists and death scenarios. Surviving was almost effortless; all it took was remembering past games’ lessons and steering clear of the obvious wrong choices or breezing through the simple quick-time events. Unlike other horror games, The Quarry leaned more towards survival rather than relying on a seemingly inconsequential item found hours earlier to save my character. The danger wasn’t genuinely terrifying, and it seemed like there was little risk when most characters barely met their end.

3) Little Hope

Release date: October 30, 2020
Story rating: 8.5/10
Character rating: 8/10
Ending rating: 1/10

As a passionate fan, let me share my thoughts on Little Hope. Initially, it was captivating due to an innovative aspect that no other game has replicated – the dynamic development of character traits based on player actions. This mechanic served as a reminder that every choice we make has consequences, and it was thrilling to see those play out.

However, I must admit that the storyline lacked memorable characters and the witch subplot felt disjointed, particularly at the conclusion. It seemed rather abrupt and didn’t quite fit within the overall narrative. But what truly impressed me was the way my decisions shaped the game’s outcome. As we reached the climax, I found myself on the run from a chilling manifestation of my past mistakes – a demonic reflection of characters who met untimely, grisly ends. It gave off a vibe reminiscent of Final Destination, where fate catches up to you no matter what.

If your character accumulated an excessive number of undesirable traits, the result would be a harsh and grisly demise. The outcome for characters is influenced by the decisions you’ve made during gameplay. Regrettably, due to a surprising twist, the characters themselves hold little significance in the grand scheme. Unfortunately, this finale leaves the entire experience feeling hollow, much like the movie Identity (2003). However, until this revelation, Little Hope was exceptionally engaging and captivating.

2) House of Ashes

Release date: October 22, 2021
Story rating: 8/10
Character rating: 8/10
Ending rating: 7/10

The game House of Ashes, much like Until Dawn, retains many elements that made its blend of slasher and supernatural storytelling captivating. However, unlike the previous title, I found every character in House of Ashes thoroughly detestable. This was intriguing because it meant I had little investment in their survival, which could only improve (or lead to their demise). As I progressed through the game, I began to witness developing camaraderie, bravery, and the potential for anyone to be a hero (or become a villain, as Eric demonstrated). House of Ashes portrays deeply flawed individuals shaped by their preexisting biases and ideologies. It illustrates how shared experiences can reshape these flaws and lead to unexpected transformations.

In an unusual move, the creators decided that no character could perish at the game’s onset. No matter how much effort was put into trying to eliminate them, these characters would miraculously survive each firefight. However, the incorporation of supernatural adversaries, with human threats serving as secondary antagonists, was captivating because it showcased a unique aspect of the soldiers and their skills in navigating uncharted territories – a domain where humans did not hold dominion. House of Ashes can be seen as the Aliens installment within The Dark Pictures Anthology, given its remarkable blend of horror and action elements.

1) Until Dawn

Release date: August 25, 2015
Story rating: 6/10
Character rating: 9/10
Ending rating: 9/10

The reason Until Dawn stood out so remarkably was due to its compelling narrative, rhythm, and well-crafted characters. In an era where interactive games were primarily dominated by Quantic Dream (Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls, Fahrenheit) and Telltale (The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us, Tales from the Borderlands), Until Dawn brought a refreshing breeze to the horror genre. Much like a movie, Until Dawn allowed its flawed characters equal opportunities for growth and development. As their true selves unfolded amidst fear, you might find your sympathies shifting for Mike, Sam, Matt, Chris, and even Josh.

In this rephrased version, the storyline of the game featured intricate characters and a captivating plot that was reminiscent of a slasher thriller, with a significant twist – a misleading element known as red herring, which diverted attention from the supernatural aspect of the narrative. When it initially debuted, the game was notorious for its brutal nature, largely due to the motion tracker that intensified fear whenever the hidden, terrifying menace appeared. The antagonists’ swift movements and lethal abilities made every scene suspenseful and nerve-wracking. To put it simply, Until Dawn continues to impress visually, making a remake unnecessary.

2025-07-13 23:42