"If there is a God, then why has he let me die?" Torque finds this scrawled on the wall of a cell and it serves as a general introduction to The Suffering, a game in which reality is obscured and horror is very much the flavour of the day.

Gamers control Torque who has been sent to the notorious Abbott state penitentiary for murdering his wife and children.

However, the prison is haunted and, soon after arriving, Torque must battle his way out encountering horrific demons and adversaries.

Torque can interact with both guards and prisoners.

The way in which gamers play determines the outcome of the game. One can either help prisoners requesting help or show no mercy and butcher them to death.

The Suffering is perhaps one of the most atmospheric, disturbing horror titles available.

Torque has flashbacks and visions similar to those in Eternal Darkness and The Shining. When Torque loses control completely he morphs into a horrific beast and enters insanity mode for a short amount of time.

Controversy will surround this game with extremely violent deaths, profanities and a macabre storyline.

The game's graphics are not too distant from Silent Hill with gritty, flickering visuals at times, and the soundtrack is an amazing mixture of distorted and surreal effects.

If controversy, horror, and fear are to your liking then The Suffering is for you. In Abbott, a man who isn't afraid is too stupid to live!

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £39.99

PLAYERS: 1

AGE RATING:18+

GENRE: Horror

FORMAT: XBOX

GRAPHICS: 17/20

SOUND: 20/20

GAMEPLAY: 22/25

LIFESPAN: 19/25

ORIGINALITY: 6/10

OVERALL: 84%

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