Old-School Scares
Some games wear their influences proudly on their blood-stained sleeves. Tormented Souls 2 doesn’t just wear them; it practically struts around in a vintage Resident Evil jacket while humming the Silent Hill soundtrack. But here’s the thing: it works. Dual Effect has doubled down on what made the first game a cult favorite and tightened up almost every corner. The result is an unapologetically old-school survival horror experience that knows exactly who it’s for and doesn’t care if the rest of the world catches up.
Players will once again step into the shoes of Caroline Walker, the heroine from the first game. This time, the journey takes her to a decrepit hospital, where reality bends and the walls themselves seem to whisper. It’s classic setup, sure; but the execution nails the tone perfectly. The pacing, the lighting, the way every hallway feels just a little too long, (in a good way) all of it builds a level of tension that’s deliciously uncomfortable.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
Tormented Souls 2 thrives on atmosphere. The flickering candles, the groaning pipes, the echo of your footsteps, it’s a masterclass in how to make players feel uneasy. Even when nothing’s happening, you’re on edge, and that’s the mark of good horror. The fixed camera angles add to the paranoia, forcing you to commit to every step. On Xbox, it runs clean and looks sharp, which makes the moody shadows and sickly color palette pop even more. But I gotta say I am not a fan of these fixed angles. I lived through the tank controls and fixed camera angles and let me tell you there is a reason they didn’t keep those features when they remade those games.
Now, with that being said, for those of you that are fans of this throwback to survival horror renaissance well this is the game for you. Inventory management, limited ammo, environmental puzzles, the full package. But it’s not just nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. There’s intent behind the design. Every locked door, every strange contraption, every piece of lore you uncover feels purposeful. The puzzles are clever and satisfying, often requiring real thought instead of random guesswork. The “Other Side” mechanic; where Caroline crosses into a nightmarish version of the world, keeps exploration fresh and adds a nice layer of variety. You’ll spend just as much time thinking as shooting, and when combat happens, it’s slow, heavy, and nerve-wracking in all the right ways.
That said, the game’s commitment to its retro roots can be a double-edged sword. The tank-style controls feel intentionally clunky, but they’ll definitely test your patience in tight spaces. The combat system works, but it’s not the highlight — it’s more about surviving than dominating.
Some puzzles lean a little too hard into the obscure, and the game occasionally expects you to read its mind. That’s part of the charm for fans of the genre, but it might frustrate newcomers who aren’t fluent in “classic survival horror logic.”
That said, the game’s commitment to its retro roots can be a double-edged sword. The tank-style controls feel intentionally clunky, but they’ll definitely test your patience in tight spaces, or if you are like me anytime you have to move quickly from a situation. The combat system works, but it’s not the highlight, it’s more about surviving than dominating. Some puzzles lean a little too hard into the obscure, and the game occasionally expects you to read its mind. That’s part of the charm for fans of the genre, but it might frustrate newcomers who aren’t fluent in “classic survival horror logic.”
Tormented Souls 2 is the rare kind of sequel that doesn’t try to reinvent itself. It refines, sharpens, and honors the formula that worked before. Dual Effect clearly knows its audience and delivers a polished, confident love letter to old-school horror. It’s atmospheric, unsettling, and just challenging enough to keep you hooked from start to finish. If you grew up with fixed cameras, ink ribbons, and limited shotgun shells, you’ll feel right at home. But if you are like me and have outgrown tank controls and fixed cameras, then this is one mystery that is better left unsolved.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
