The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes (PS5)

Third time’s the charm

After the shaky starts of Man of Medan and Little Hope, House of Ashes finally delivers on the promise of The Dark Pictures Anthology. It’s the third entry in Supermassive Games’ series of interactive horror stories, and this time the studio seems to have found the right balance between tension, action, and atmosphere.

Set in the former territory of the Akkadian Empire, an ancient civilization that existed in Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago, the story follows a group of soldiers who uncover something terrifying buried beneath the desert. This time, it’s not ghosts or psychological hauntings waiting in the dark, but something far more physical. House of Ashes is very much a creature feature, and it embraces that identity with confidence and style. 

Unlike the previous entries, House of Ashes leans a bit more into action without losing its horror roots. There’s more exploration, smoother pacing, and even some light combat that actually works. The quick-time events feel more responsive, and the player has a greater sense of control over the experience.

The story itself is tighter, more unpredictable, and genuinely intriguing. It strikes an effective balance between camp, fun, and genuine tension—something the series had struggled to achieve before.

One of the biggest improvements here is the cast. The characters are more likable, their dialogue flows more naturally, and their relationships evolve in believable ways. As always, your choices matter. Who survives and who doesn’t is up to you and those decisions feel more impactful because the people actually feel worth saving.

A single playthrough runs about six to seven hours, making it longer than the earlier entries. More importantly, it has better replay value. I genuinely want to return to see how different choices play out and the story feels layered enough to justify a second run.

House of Ashes is where The Dark Pictures Anthology finally finds its footing. It combines a compelling setting, improved pacing, and an engaging cast into a horror experience that’s both entertaining and replayable. It may have taken three tries, but this time Supermassive got it right.

Final Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Stronger story and pacing
• More action without losing suspense
• Likable, well-written characters
• Great setting and atmosphere
• Creature feature

Cons:

• Some dialogue still misses the mark
• Occasional pacing dips between action and exploration
• Could be scarier