Penumbra Saga (Frictional Games)

[_Neptunno_]

A couple of days ago, I finished playing the last game in the Penumbra saga, Requiem, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the complete trilogy. I finished the first one at the end of last year (though I initially tried it a year before that, but had put it on hold), and I finished the second one, Black Plague, practically at the start of this 2026. After finishing "the expansion" just a few days ago, I have an overall view of Frictional Games' cult classic saga.

Here's a quick summary of my thoughts on each entry:

Penumbra: Overture. My first serious introduction to the genre, and I admit I got pretty scared at first... I'm not very used to this type of horror. I was surprised that, despite being an old game, it still holds up visually and its physics are very good for its time, which made for a lot of engaging gameplay.

• The best: The atmosphere, the story, and that incredibly impactful ending that makes you think a lot (that is, once you finish the saga, you understand the whole picture).
• The worst: I encountered a few bugs, and reading so many notes felt a bit tedious to me, although I admit they are important for getting into the role and enjoying the story.

Penumbra: Black Plague. By this point, I was already more familiar with the mechanics, but I still had moments of intense tension. Graphically it doesn't improve over the first one, but it's very effective. Special mention to the sound design, which is incredibly immersive, though that's something I'd also highlight about the entire saga.

Impressions: The story hooks you, constantly surprises you, and keeps you on edge. The ending, while perhaps lacking the brutal impact of the first one, wraps up in an outstanding way.

Penumbra: Requiem. More than a traditional sequel, it feels like a puzzle expansion. Here, the enemies and that direct psychological horror element disappear, focusing more on puzzles and revisiting scenarios and situations from the previous two games. It's a different, more leisurely conclusion.

In short, a saga I highly recommend if you enjoy good storytelling and oppressive atmospheres. Despite its age, it remains a very powerful experience. And keep in mind, this comes from someone who isn't a fan of this genre. Maybe I'll get motivated to try Amnesia now...

I don't know if anyone else has played this saga, but feel free to share your impressions!!

Cheers!!

[Fassou]

I didn't play the original trilogy, but I played the fourth title published by Frictional Games: Amnesia - The Dark Descent (2010) and later SOMA (2015).

But even though they're first-person, I miss shooting at things

Cheers, gamers!

[_Neptunno_]

@Fassou I sometimes miss that too, not being able to shoot at anything, but the whole point of the game is precisely that feeling of helplessness, just like it would be in real life. They lean heavily into psychological horror, and especially in the first and second Penumbra games, they focus on having to "defend yourself" by using the environment or objects to your advantage.

Anyway, I think the Amnesia games are even more about pure psychological horror. In Penumbra, at least in the first one (Overture), you do occasionally get the chance to "have something on hand to defend yourself."

And how is SOMA? What's the plot, or what's it about? I've heard great things about its story, but I'm not sure if it's as oppressive as Amnesia or Penumbra.

Cheers!!!

[Fassou]

@_Neptunno_ SOMA is frequently given away on Epic Games, so if you're interested, you just have to wait

It's more sci-fi and has less gore than the others; it could perhaps be described as more elegant, but ultimately the studio has a very distinct style, and they know what their players like.

Its regular fans might be put off by the sci-fi twist instead of the usual gore-heavy vibe, and sci-fi enthusiasts might find the story pretty cliché given how overused it is in TV and film, but if it's given away for free

Cheers! Happy gaming!