What are the pros of The Evil Within 2?

Refined gameplay mechanics and more responsive controls compared to the predecessor. Strong narrative that effectively integrates the story of the first game. Excellent balance between action-oriented combat and survival elements. High replayability and perceived value for the price.

What are the cons of The Evil Within 2?

Significant loss of the original's unique horror atmosphere and mystery. Technical issues including bugs, audio glitches, and mandatory online connection requirements. Combat and stealth mechanics can feel generic or derivative of other titles. Protagonist's constant verbal commentary can be distracting and immersion-breaking.

The Evil Within 2

Detective Sebastian Castellanos has lost everything, including his daughter, Lily. To save her, he must descend into the nightmarish world of STEM. Horrifying threats emerge from every corner, and he must rely on his wits to survive. For his one chance at redemption, the only way out is in.

92%

Very Positive

DeveloperTango Gameworks

PublisherBethesda Softworks

Release DateOct 12, 2017

$39.99

Peak Players9.8K

Metacritic80

Controllerfull

PlatformsWindows

Action

Adventure

AI Review Summary

The Evil Within 2 is a survival horror sequel that shifts toward a more balanced action-survival experience with significantly refined controls and a compelling narrative. While many players praise the improved gameplay and story integration, fans of the original often feel it sacrifices the first game's unique atmosphere and psychological horror intensity.

Pros

Refined gameplay mechanics and more responsive controls compared to the predecessor90%
Strong narrative that effectively integrates the story of the first game80%
Excellent balance between action-oriented combat and survival elements80%
High replayability and perceived value for the price60%

Cons

Significant loss of the original's unique horror atmosphere and mystery85%
Technical issues including bugs, audio glitches, and mandatory online connection requirements70%
Combat and stealth mechanics can feel generic or derivative of other titles60%
Protagonist's constant verbal commentary can be distracting and immersion-breaking40%

Notable Mentions

Bethesda's implementation of an online connection requirement for a single-player game
Frequent comparisons to the Resident Evil series in terms of gameplay structure
Technical issues such as total audio loss reported by some users

Confidence: 70%

Based on the 79 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 25, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

242

Peak · last 90 days

352

All-time peak

9.8K

Price

Current price

$39.99

Lowest tracked

$7.99since Feb 14, 2026

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

88%

All-time positive

92%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews31.0K

Positive: 28.5K (92%)Negative: 2.5K (8%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

25h

Avg Playtime at Review

84%

Credible Reviews