When comparing Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs vs OpenTTD, the Slant community recommends OpenTTD for most people. In the question“What are the best games on Linux?” OpenTTD is ranked 32nd while Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs is ranked 129th. The most important reason people chose OpenTTD is:
You can't go wrong with a game that has no purchase cost. Even better the user can contribute to the project or even use the code for their own, as the game is open-source.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Very tense gameplay
Sneaking through dark levels and avoiding the prowling entities that lurk within creates some truly terrifying moments. There is no combat in this game, so fighting back isn't an option. As a result, carefully avoiding monsters, hiding from them, or even running away if the opportunity presents itself creates some very tense gameplay where you'll always be on a high alert. You never know when you're going to round a corner or open a door and come face to face with a monstrosity.
Pro Fantastic level design
Often times featuring strange architecture, flickering lights, twisting and turning passages, and dark hallways, the overall level design is fantastic. Although most levels are rather linear, the attention to detail is immense. The Victorian-era mansion looks its part, the workshops and factories look like bustling industrial centers, and the more surreal areas really inspire a sense of wonder with their strange machinery. A lot of care went into molding a terrifying, yet realistic environment and the visually appealing levels are easily one of the game's biggest high points.
Pro Scary sound design creates a true horror atmosphere
The audio design is excellent and scary, featuring plenty of disembodied voices, footsteps in dark hallways, and things scratching or pounding on doors. Hearing things thud and bump in the dark when you're trying to sneak around unseen creates a lot of scares, especially when you hear something right next to you scurry past. The consistent use of strange noises and ambient sound is brilliant, used in all the right places, and creates a truly frightening atmosphere.
Pro Mysterious and engaging story
The game opens with the protagonist Oswald Mandus, a wealthy industrialist, waking up in his mansion after a long sickness. Awoken by the voices of his two children calling out for him, Mandus sets out to find them. As the story begins, we quickly learn that he was in Mexico where a great tragedy struck and this is when he first fell ill.
The story then progresses from there, often veering into strange and surreal themes where you may question what is real and what is not. It is told in such a way that information is slowly reaveled over time through monologues, memories, and in-game notes. The story is great at teasing its biggest mysteries and conveying a strong desire to push forward and learn more.
Pro Free and open-source
You can't go wrong with a game that has no purchase cost. Even better the user can contribute to the project or even use the code for their own, as the game is open-source.
Pro Still actively being developed
There are regular updates still being released for the game, meaning regular bug fixes as well as added features on a consistent basis.
Pro Allows for a lot of railway design creativity
You can build massive and complicated rail networks in the game, giving the player the freedom to come up with their own solutions and crazy designs.
Pro Tons of mods to download
There are many existing mods for the game, which can greatly extend the gameplay beyond that of the stock game.
Pro Very addictive - hard to walk away from when your little world is running
Especially if you're playing with some friends, this game is very enthralling (Heroes of Might and Magic 2 was similar, even though a very different game).
Pro Easily accessible multiplayer
It has built in multiplayer for LAN or online play, which makes it easy for the player to find and create online matches.
Pro Significant enhancements from the original game
- Stable multiplayer mode for up to 255 players in 15 companies, or as spectators
- Dedicated server mode and an in-game console for administration
- In game downloading of new content and game mechanics
Pro Convenient built in mod download interface
This allows the user to easily browse and download new mods for the game from within the game itself.
Pro Infinite possibilities
You seem to never run out of things to do in this game!
Cons
Con Very linear
The first few levels are nice and somewhat open, as they allow for a little exploration, but then things start to feel extremely linear. The latter levels are extremely linear point A to point B affairs. There is a bit of sidetracking at times if you're going for all the collectibles, but there's rarely ever any need to stray off the path the game sets out for you.
Con There never seems like there's any urgency
The original Amnesia had an insanity system where you couldn't be in the dark too long, and had you scavenging for tinderboxes and lantern oil to stay sane. There was always the constant urgency of finding a light source. A Machine for Pigs completely removed this mechanic and, as a result, much of the tension of the original game is gone. You can take your time and casually stroll through dark areas without a care in the world.
Con No inventory results in easy and cumbersome puzzles
There is no inventory system at all, so whenever you need to use an object to complete a puzzle, you must manually carry it around the level and use it where needed. Not only is this highly inconvenient, but due to this limitation, puzzles are often extremely easy as they only involve one object. For the rare puzzle that involves several items, you will need to carry them one by one.
Con The last hour of the game drags on
The ending of the game is repetitive and filled with story padding.
Con Can be complicated to play for a beginner
For those unfamiliar with this style of game, there is a lot to learn in order to be competent at the gameplay. Some tutorials online should help, but it is a time investment some may not want to spend on the game.
Con Micromanagement is a bit too much
You have to either use glitches or really make all your decisions right.
Con Can be boring when playing alone
Due to the length of the win conditions and how long it takes to achieve things in the game, it can get a bit boring after much time spent. This is also true of the stock gameplay element, while mods can definitely help, what comes with the game out of the box can get old after a while.
Con Graphics are small on high res displays
When playing this game on a high resolution screen the game will look small and dense, which may be irritating that it does not scale to ones resolution as it can be difficult to read the text or see what is going on. However, in the settings one can set the UI scaling to 2x to make it much easier to tell what is going on.
Con The sounds drive you insane
You sit down to play the game for a slight bit of time, you get your headphones on and get blasted with BEEEEP and GJHHHH including VSHHH and DING DING DING DING WOOOSHHH too.
Con Online does not work cross versions
Old versions can't play online or LAN with newer versions of the game. So for those that prefer using an older version, or just have not updated, they will have to make sure those they want to play with online have the exact same version (or one that is compatible).