by Sheila Robinson

Created on: April 12, 2010   Last Updated: April 13, 2010

About the Game

The story is about a violent criminal named Torque, who has been sent to the Carnate Abbot Penitentiary for killing his entire family. Through a series of multiple blackouts, Torque has forgotten about his horrific and gruesome actions. While sitting in his cell, spirits of executed criminals and other vicious monsters begin to attack the prison. He becomes free of his cell and attempts to survive and escape the prison with his life intact.

Game Play

The Suffering is a shooter style game with action/adventure elements. For weapons, you use a variety of guns, grenades and a shiv.  Everything is found through exploration of the prison. Many will be off of people that have been killed. Health boost items and ammunition are also found everywhere.

Survival in this game is not easy. The creatures you will encounter are numerous. As the game progresses, a mysterious connection between Torque and the creatures begins to be revealed through flashbacks and interactions with other characters and clues.

Combat controls in the Suffering are simple to use. The R1 button on your PS2 controller functions as the fire button for most of the handheld weapons.  Grenades are thrown by pressing the R2 button.

As you explore the prison, you will encounter people who ask you for assistance or give you information. Decisions will have to be made about what to do or who to trust. Not everything is what is seems, and your actions throughout the game will determine its final ending. Depending on your style of play, there are three possible ending scenarios.

Graphics and Audio

The best way to experience the visual graphic effects in the Suffering is by playing the game in the dark. It will keep you on your toes with its dark shadows and creepy dim corridors. Characters move fairly smooth, although some items like facial expressions and certain objects appear a bit flat. Torque’s mental flashbacks and encounters with creatures display weird and interesting visual effects during combat sequences.

The audio effects add a lot to this game. The music soundtrack sounds like one you would hear in a horror movie. Voice dialog, creature sounds and the activation of switches and devices do not overwhelm the actions of the game; while at the same time add a bit of uneasiness when you explore the penitentiary.

Is The Suffering worth Playing?

While the PS2 graphics may appear a bit outdated for some people, the Suffering is still an interesting shooter and action/adventure game with a mysterious and intriguing storyline. As the game progresses and secrets are uncovered, it draws you into its dark madness and makes you want to learn more. You can check it out as a game rental or pick up a cheap copy through eBay.

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