Here was a game that, instead of relying on cheap jump-scares and loud noises, built up an atmosphere and generally terrified people by forcing them to look away from the monsters to spare their character’s sanity. When The Dark Descent hit, it sent a tidal wave through the gaming community. Frictional Games wasn’t super well-known outside the indie world, but Amnesia would change all that. Using their knowledge of spooky things happening in spooky places, Frictional took what they learned from the Penumbra games and created a totally new world. It was made by a company known as Frictional Games, whose previous efforts, known as the Penumbra franchise, had a small cult following. But before we jump into A Machine for Pigs itself, some background is necessary.Īmnesia: The Dark Descent was a video game released back in September of 2010, and was a horror game predicated on the fact that your only defense was running away and hiding. It has multiple meanings, multiple interpretations, and ultimately is as complicated as the game’s plot. This line is only said once in the game, but it’s a powerful and important line. “This world is a machine, a machine for pigs, fit only for the slaughtering of pigs!” This is not a review, this is my personal analysis of the game’s story. If you’ve already played through them, or just don’t care, then read on.

If you haven’t played through either and want the plots of one or both to remain unspoiled, avert your gaze now. A bit of forewarning, the following post is going to spoil the entirety of Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs and a little bit of The Dark Descent as well.

Amnesia machine room lever puzzle