House of Ashes is the third horror chapter of the dark pictures anthology developed by Supermassive games. In this game, the player is called to make various decisions that will affect the course of the game and... will determine which of the characters will survive.
The story takes place in the early 2000s, where a group of American and Iraqi soldiers find themselves after an earthquake, in the inhospitable temple-realm of an ancient tribe, unaware that the kingdom was cursed, resulting in haunting, bloodthirsty, and dangerous creatures. The scenario does not present any originality, nor any significant twist. It may gradually build the story, however, it leaves the feeling that the creators did not have a clear vision, especially towards the end. The player takes control of five characters: four are from the American army and one is Iraqi. It is worth noting that the game conveys several underlying messages, beyond the main story, which provide food for thought and make the player sympathize more with some characters, unlike previous chapters where the characters did not have the development they should have. The whole story unfolds inside the temple with several flashbacks and slow-down elements to lengthen the duration of the game. Furthermore, the decisions the player makes seem to have more impact than any previous title. This way, the story gains more suspense and several paths related to the characters' future are unlocked.
As for the gameplay, there is more action for the first time, without deviating from the "videogame movie" motif. Quick Time Events are the main focus of the gameplay and determine the fate of the characters. Additionally, there are hidden objects that provide lore and elements about the game universe. Of course, the familiar "premonitions" to the series' fans could not be missing, which when discovered show a brief excerpt from a possible future scene. There are three difficulty levels as well as a co-op mode where you can play with your friends.
House of Ashes bears the subtitle of a horror game. How horror is it in reality? I will mention that of all the previous games of the company, both the anthology and the top-notch Until Dawn, this one is the least scary. We could say that it stimulates more the player's anxiety about what is going to happen, rather than what lurks behind the next door. Indeed, after a point, it becomes quite cliché, with almost non-existent jumpscares and enemies that seem to be taken from a B-movie.
The technical aspect is where House of Ashes lacks the most. Textures are slow to load and resemble ps3, objects float, and dialogues are not heard but only seen in the subtitles. After the patch, the situation improved somewhat but problems remained. Also, the voice overs at the beginning reminded of a game from an earlier era, as well as the facial expressions of the characters. The musical score properly frames the story where needed, and the sound effects are quite good.
The duration of this title is approximately seven hours, with the platinum trophy being quite demanding, as it requires multiple playthroughs, collecting all collectibles, as well as specific routes in the story.
House of Ashes is aimed at those who want to play a game of this genre rather than watch a movie or series, as it is more interactive and the player determines the plot. However, the development of the story, in my opinion, takes an inappropriate turn that does not correspond to the style of the game or the series. Taking into account the technical flaws, we would say that this title does not meet the expectations of a fan of the anthology, but it does to some extent evolve the existing formula, paving the way for the finale of the first season. It is not the right title to introduce someone to the world of Supermassive games (prefer Until Dawn), but it is a suggestion for someone who enjoys games of this genre.

There are no spoilers.

You are American soldiers involved in a battle with Afghan fighters. However, fate has another story to tell. I won't say more to avoid spoilers.

House of Ashes is the best game in the "Dark Pictures" anthology. It combines a flawless story, graphics, characters, and sound that keeps you on edge when needed. The QTEs are there, just like in the previous titles, to keep the player alert. Anyone who hasn't dealt with this game trilogy before would have a good time, as the last title completes it. Unfortunately, there was no horror in House of Ashes, but there was plenty of action and suspense. If I had to group them based on horror, it would be 1) Little Hope, 2) Man of Medan, 3) House of Ashes. As for action, 1) House of Ashes, 2) Man of Medan, 3) Little Hope. Unfortunately, the "main" character who speaks was not explained, and I like it because it's up to the viewer to name him as they wish.

Those who are fans of the SAW movie series should expect a solid upcoming game.

For those wondering if it's worth spending 30 euros on the game, I recommend it 1000%. Each title is under 10 hours even if played "correctly." But replayability increases as if you have company, each person chooses their character's fate. And you easily spend 30+ hours with each game in the trilogy. Especially with friends, partners, or anyone worth more. I played the trilogy solo and still enjoyed it.