Introduction:Turn off the lights, get all set on your couch and get ready for trip of your life. The Suffering brings horror to a new level and breaks past the Resident Evil archetype to set its own standard in the genre.

The Game:The story behind The Suffering is based around your character Torque who is sentenced to death row on the island prison of Abbott State . Of course Abbott State is where they send the most hardened criminals. Torque is no spring chicken and has convicted of the murder of his own children and wife. It's not cut and dry though considering Torque because he can't remember the murders. This fact, plus the periodic flash backs Torque has helps add to the mystery and mystique of the game. The story continues as the prison is invaded by an assortment of vicious monsters. Now, Torque has two options escape or die. Needless to say, you have to escape while dealing with monsters, ghosts and your own broken past.

At the heart of The Suffering is an action game surrounded by horror elements. The game balances its job well of keeping the players in suspense while not boring them by keeping the action flowing. It's not likely you would be bored while playing this game because you hardly have time to regroup.

On the game DVD you will get an interesting look behind the scenes at the making of the game and an interesting short documentary called Prison of Hell featuring a real haunted prison. There is also a nice voice-over section filled with the creatures you meet in the game as well as the places you visit. After viewing this section it's obvious that the developers put more thought into this then the last Hellraiser movie and have some interesting conceptive creatures.

Graphics & Sound:The graphics in The Suffering are pretty good and another effect can now be added to the list of developer's tricks. The Suffering has developed a cool little way of making the blood from the monsters splatter and stick to your character making the action seem more realalistic. The blood does ware off but man does it looked cool because you will latterly be totally covered in red crimson. It's definitely not for the squeamish at heart.

The graphics get the biggest bonus with character design and ever part of The Suffering has been thought out, even though you can play with out noticing. Each monster resembles a horrific way of execution; they remind me of the beauties of the motion picture 13 Ghosts. The different locations on the island are based in different historic times representing a period in the past that has inhabited the island. In the Sufferings case the inside is prettier than the outside, but we love it all.

Sound is very important when it comes to Horror games. Good sound development can break or make a game of this genre. Of course The Suffering excels in this department and in 5.1 surround sound you will be on the edge of your seat. From the ambient noises, and character work is excellent and deserves to be recognized as some of the best atmospheric audio put into a game.

Innovation:Finally a game that captures the initial feeling I had when I first played Resident Evil on the old PS1. The Suffering has influenced from modern film and videos have one twisted bunch of monsters. It's not enough to have these evil looking dudes coming at you, they throw in an old prison, ghostly figures, questioning flashbacks and gallons of blood to keep you playing that next minute to minute. The Suffering is one wicked ride and everyone should by a ticket.

Mojo:Finally a game that captures the initial feeling I had when I first played Resident Evil on the old PS1. The Suffering has influenced from modern film and videos have one twisted bunch of monsters. It's not enough to have these evil looking dudes coming at you, they throw in an old prison, ghostly figures, questioning flashbacks and gallons of blood to keep you playing that next minute to minute. The Suffering is one wicked ride and everyone should by a ticket.

Lowdown:The Suffering is a great addition to a genre which raises the bar in action and horror. You won't be disappointed if you pick up Midways horror gem. Get ready to be on the edge of your seat, indulged in the unfoldings in The Suffering.

Gameplay: 8.5, Graphics/Sound: 9, Innovation: 7, Mojo: 10. Final: 8.5