It seems like just about every significant horror IP is being remade or considered for a remake in the modern age. Generally speaking, horror seems to be as big as ever, with even family-friendlyNintendo seemingly dipping its toes back into the genrewith the recently revealed, enigmaticEmio. But Nintendo ought not to stop there, as an oft-overlooked classic GameCube title by the name ofEternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiemwould be perfect for the remake treatment.
Capcom may be leading the charge with remakes of classicResident Evilgames, but it’s far from the only game company engaging in this practice. EA recently dropped the much-laudedDead Spaceremake, Konami is trying its hand with theSilent Hill 2remake, and THQ Nordic broughtAlone in the Darkback into the mainstream with a star-studded hard reboot earlier this year. All of this is to say that, while these franchises began their lives on older consoles like the first PlayStation, and underwent a number of less-successful permutations over the years, they haven’t been left behind.Eternal Darknessis more than deserving of a similar reprisal.
A Modern Remake of Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem Has a Lot of Potential
Eternal Darkness Was One of the Most Unique GameCube-Era Horror Experiences
Developed by Silicon Knights and released in 2002 as a GameCube exclusive,Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiemfollows several different characters over the course of 2,000 years, as they all contend with an ancient evil looking to control humankind.Eternal Darknesshas a lot in common with its survival horrorcontemporaries, especiallyResident Evil, as it hones it on features like a fixed camera angle, inventory management, and sparse enemy placement.
But it’s remarkably original as well, even by modern standards. The era-hopping story, for instance, helps keep gameplay fresh, as the ancient time periods will naturally require players to master melee combat, while the more modern chapters allow for the use of firearms and other contemporary tools. Additionally, player choice impacts both narrative and gameplay, with certain puzzles, combat encounters, and story beats being altered depending on crucial decisions. These features makeEternal Darknessa surprisingly deep and dense experiencewith a lot of complexity and replay value.
None of these are the most iconic features of the game, though;Eternal Darknessis perhaps best remembered for its sanity meter, which will deplete whenever the player encounters new enemies. As the meter runs low, Sanity Effects will occur, and these can range from minor visual changes like a shift in camera angle all the way to major fourth-wall-breaking effects, including fake error messages that can fool players into thinking there’s something wrong with their game or TV. These Sanity Effects (which Nintendo actually patented) make for an uncomfortably immersive experience, as players may question their own sanity alongside the game’s protagonists.
An Eternal Darkness Remake Could Greatly Enrich Gaming’s Horror Scene
As previously mentioned, the horror genre is as popular as ever in the world of gaming. However, the AAA horror scene is dangerously close to being homogenized, and some may argue that it already has been. In the wake ofCapcom’sResident Evilremakes, modern horror games seem to all be taking a similar approach to their design: over-the-shoulder third-person action mixed with linear exploration and the occasional jump scare. This was one of the reasons why theAlone in the Darkreboot fell flat for many players, and it’s also a big reason why so many are trepidatious about theSilent Hill 2remake.
AnEternal Darknessremakecould offer something as bold and exciting as the original. By modernizing the classic title’s most iconic features, especially the Sanity Effects, horror fans could sink their teeth into a truly inventive and unsettling experience that stands apart from the sea of action-focused horror games on the market, as good as those games may be.
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem
WHERE TO PLAY
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem is a Nintendo GameCube exclusive psychological horror game with heavy sanity elements. Created by Silicon Knights, this M-rated horror game sees players guide Alexandra Roivas through a spooky mansion. The game also lets players explore other time periods as other characters in order to flesh out the mysterious narrative.
