When comparing Amnesia: The Dark Descent vs Clive Barker's Undying, the Slant community recommends Amnesia: The Dark Descent for most people. In the question“What are the best Gothic games on PC?” Amnesia: The Dark Descent is ranked 1st while Clive Barker's Undying is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Amnesia: The Dark Descent is:
Amnesia offers immersive puzzles to the player by creating interaction that comes natural to the player. When a door needs opened, the player must pull their mouse towards them to actually open the door, same goes for drawers as well. It is through these interactions that the player can feel as if they are actually manipulating these objects instead of just pointing and clicking like so many other puzzle games.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Immersive puzzle solving
Amnesia offers immersive puzzles to the player by creating interaction that comes natural to the player. When a door needs opened, the player must pull their mouse towards them to actually open the door, same goes for drawers as well. It is through these interactions that the player can feel as if they are actually manipulating these objects instead of just pointing and clicking like so many other puzzle games.
Pro Excellent, unnerving atmosphere
Much of the game is inspired by Lovecraftian horror wherein the player is constantly assaulted with their sanity being eroded as they try to regain their memories. Monster lurk within the game that are quite frightening and the whole game is sparsely lit with constant sounds surrounding them that could be eluding to their next encounter.
Pro Incredible use of sound effects
As has been mentioned, the atmosphere is incredible, and I was scared out of my mind the whole time. There's mostly silence. A floorboard creaks, a chain rattles, the shuffling of your feet on the floor, it all serves to take your experience to new, terrifying heights.
Pro Epitome of horror, but that's not all
The game manages to keep you tense at all times, but there's more. Even if the monster wasn't there, this would be a great game to walk around, solve puzzles, and read the letters. The atmosphere is just very well crafted.
Pro Tons of extra stories
Users can download and install mods/stories created by other users, which can extend the gameplay of the game by quite a lot. Being that these are custom stories, being able to find one that appeals to the player should be pretty simple enough. A good comparison of the top available stories can be found here.
Pro Great game play
You get a huge arsenal of unique weapons and tools that keep Undying in a league of its own. The ability see ghosts and secrets with the scrying stone is very cool.
Pro Wonderful world
The world is crafted with great detail that still holds up today. Large levels to explore in a variety of locations. Much of the game revolves around a haunted mansion, but you are not trapped in it for the entire game.
Pro Amazing story by Clive Barker
Clive Barker is one of the best modern horror writers and it shows in this game. The story is long and complex that just keeps you playing to see what will happen next.
Cons
Con Puzzles tend to be easily solved
Sadly the core of the game is the puzzle aspect but they tend to be easily enough solved, which makes for a bit of a let down for players who are used to or looking for difficult gameplay.
Con Cliff hanger ending
Be warned, the game ends as if a squeal or level pack was in development, and leaves some questions unanswered. But to be fair, that is a staple of gothic horror. Life is not always about happy endings.