Horror vs. Puzzles

[Leu Radu]

A really good game, but it was too empty. You can not explore the location and search for hidden things like in Penumbra.

I believe Amnesia's style is not meant to greatly reward a player for exploration (rather to punish him). Anyway, by exploring, you get the much needed oil and tinderboxes.

I think the puzzles where really good for the kind of game Amnesia is. Some actually where tedious for me because I was too scared. I remember crawling slowly through the machine room (when you repair the elevator) for about an hour, fearing that something would pop up around the corner eventually. If a had to get past complex puzzles, I wouldn't stand the pressure or, eventually, would loose the immersion and start meta-thinking.

Amnesia is a game focused on horror through atmosphere. Complex and tedious puzzles would somehow diminish it. The simple puzzles, however, are crucial for keeping the story going. They give a sense of achievement, that you are actually doing something, and "help" you move on through the moments of despair.

This is just my opinion on the matter. I've never played Penumbra but, after hearing so much praise here on the forums, I will definitely buy the whole pack soon.