View source for Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes

{{Short description|2021 interactive drama game}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title     = The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
| image     = House of Ashes cover art.png
| border    = yes
| alt       = The cover art for House of Ashes. In the foreground is the logo of The Dark Pictures Anthology, a skull facing the left side of the image. The skull in question possesses a pair of vampire-like fangs. An image of Rachel King, covered in blood, and a picture of a Pazuzu statue are overlaid on the cranium.
| caption   = Box art featuring Rachel King, one of the game's five protagonists
| developer = [[Company:Supermassive Games|Supermassive Games]]
| publisher = [[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]]
| director  = Will Doyle
| producer  = Dom Ireland<!--Production director-->
| artist    = David Hirst<!--Art director-->
| writer    = Khurrum Rahman<!--Screenplay by-->
| composer  = Jason Graves
| series    = ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology|The Dark Pictures Anthology]]''
| engine    = Unreal Engine 4
| platforms = {{Plainlist|
* [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]]
* [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]]
* [[Software:Windows|Windows]]
* [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]]
* Xbox Series X/S
}}
| released  = 22 October 2021
| genre     = Interactive drama, [[Software:Survival horror|survival horror]]
| modes     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
* [[Software:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
}}
}}

'''''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes''''' is a 2021 interactive drama and [[Software:Survival horror|survival horror]] [[Engineering:Video game|video game]], developed by [[Company:Supermassive Games|Supermassive Games]] and published by [[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]]. It is the third instalment in ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology|The Dark Pictures Anthology]]'', after ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan|Man of Medan]]'' (2019) and ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope|Little Hope]]'' (2020). Continuing the series' premise, the game features a cast of five [[Software:Player character|playable protagonists]] and a [[Software:Nonlinear gameplay#Branching storylines|multilinear narrative]] influenced by player choices. Its decision-making scenes can significantly alter the trajectory of the plot and change the relationships between the main characters; some lead to the [[Software:Permadeath|permanent death]] of the protagonists.

''House of Ashes'' is inspired primarily by the novella ''At the Mountains of Madness'' (1936) and the films ''Predator'' (1987) and ''The Descent'' (2005). Set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the plot follows five characters—four Americans working for the US Armed Forces and one Iraqi Republican Guard—who fall into a subterranean Akkadian temple after an Iraqi ambush. They must find a way out of the ancient structure and cooperate to outmatch the vampiric creatures that infest the area. Ashley Tisdale was marketed as the game's leading actress, marking the third time Supermassive Games cast a high-profile actor to portray a character for the series.

Staple mechanics of ''The Dark Pictures Anthology'', such as quick time events (QTEs) and "pictures", collectable items that allow players to [[Precognition|see visions of possible future events]], appear again in ''House of Ashes''. The game also introduces new features, including a [[Software:Virtual camera system#Interactive|more interactive camera system]], a handheld light source for easier navigation, and three [[Software:Game balance#Difficulty|difficulty levels]] to manage QTEs. Jason Graves, a long-time collaborator with Supermassive Games, returned to compose the game's soundtrack, having created music for the earlier games in the series.

The game was released for [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]], [[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], and [[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on 22 October 2021, to mixed reviews. Several critics deemed it an improvement from the previous two instalments in the anthology, and points of praise included the replay value, action sequences, multiplayer modes, [[Engineering:B movie|B movie]]–like tone, and likeability of the Iraqi character. Critiques were directed towards the game's pacing, scare factor, facial animations, texture and animation glitches, and handling of the Iraq War invasion. ''House of Ashes''{{'}} sequel and the final game in the anthology's first season, ''The Devil in Me'', was released on 18 November 2022.

== Gameplay ==
''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' is an interactive drama and [[Software:Survival horror|survival horror]] game.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /> Developed on Unreal Engine 4 by [[Company:Supermassive Games|Supermassive Games]],<ref name="UE4" /> it is presented from a third-person perspective and set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /> Players take control of five protagonists, enlisted in the armed forces of their respective countries, who fall and become trapped in an underground [[Place:Mesopotamia|Mesopotamia]]n temple, where bat-like monsters awaken to hunt the characters.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /> A core element of the gameplay involves the management of relationships between the characters, and their allies and enemies. Players can choose to be courageous and ensure the creatures do not kill anybody, or to continue alone and be concerned with their own personal safety.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /><ref name="GameInformerInterview" /> Facing a common foe, the Iraqi and American characters must decide whether they should ignore their differences and become allies to survive the attacks. Characters often quote the proverb "the enemy of my enemy is my friend", one of the story's recurring themes.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /><ref name="VentureBeatReview" />

Inspired by feedback from fans, ''House of Ashes'' introduces two gameplay features absent from ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan|Man of Medan]]'' (2019) and ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope|Little Hope]]'' (2020), previous entries in ''[[Software:The Dark Pictures Anthology|The Dark Pictures Anthology]]''. The [[Software:Virtual camera system|camera]] is no longer [[Software:Virtual camera system#Fixed|fully fixed]] and has been replaced with a [[Software:Virtual camera system#Interactive|controllable]], 360-degree one.<ref name="GamespotPreview" /> Because many scenes involve "spookier" and more spacious areas, Supermassive found it appropriate to give players total control over the camera, which would aid in exploration and allow players to appreciate the cavernous locations.<ref name="GamespotPreview" /> ''House of Ashes'' is the first game in the series to feature [[Software:Game balance#Difficulty level|difficulty levels]], such as "Forgiving", "Challenging" and "Lethal", which affect the game's quick time events (QTEs).<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /> To further adjust difficulty, players can choose which buttons to press for specific types of QTEs<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /> and customise the speed at which the prompts appear.<ref name="IGNHungarianReview" /> The remainder of the features are consistent with those of the other two instalments. The game's developers said players would immediately understand ''House of Ashes''{{'}} mechanics if they have played ''Man of Medan'' or ''Little Hope''.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameInformerInterview" />

[[File:House of Ashes gameplay (decision-making prompt).png|thumb|upright=1.4|alt=A screenshot of one of House of Ashes' gameplay mechanics. The scene is set in a dark underground cave. On the right side of the image is Rachel, holding a grappling rope and standing on a cliff ledge. Separated by a wide gap, her ill companion Clarice is on the other side of the chasm, which is on the left side of the image. Two circular buttons are presented on the screen; the first button, which reads "HELP", is by the left side of the chasm, and the second button, which says "ABANDON", is by the right side.|Rachel (right) contemplates on whether she should abandon her infected ally, Clarice (left). The decisions to help and leave her are shown alongside an illustration of the heart and brain, respectively.|left]]

Players must make several choices that can have long-term consequences on the narrative's progression and the character's perceptions of each other. In these scenarios, there is a limited amount of time in which they can choose an action or a line of dialogue with which to respond.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> They may choose to say or do nothing when they are prompted to make a decision.<ref name="TheGamer_BeginnerTips" /> An anatomical drawing of the brain and heart accompanies every choice in ''House of Ashes'', indicating that the [[Software:Player character|player character]] may choose actions based on either rationality or emotion.<ref name="TheGamer_HoAAchievements" /> Their decisions can influence the characters' assigned personality traits, such as "Abrasive" or "Commanding".<ref name="GameSpotReview" />

To track the [[Software:Nonlinear gameplay#Branching storylines|narrative branches]] in one playthrough, the game's menu has a [[Butterfly effect|butterfly effect]] system called "bearings", which lists all consequential courses of action associated with each branch and their eventual outcomes.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> The story is interspersed with [[Software:Cutscene|cutscene]]s featuring an omnipresent observer called the Curator (Pip Torrens), who returns from the previous games in the ''Anthology''. He is a keeper of stories who converses with players about the choices they have made<ref name="KotakuOverview" /><ref name="TheCurator" /> and provides clues about what will happen next in the plot.<ref name="TheCurator" /><ref name="IGNPortugueseReview" /> The survival of all five protagonists depends on these critical decisions,<ref name="KotakuOverview" /> and [[Software:Permadeath|the game continues without the deceased characters]].<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /> After ''Little Hope''{{'s}} limited number of endings due to its use of hallucinations as a [[Engineering:Plot twist|plot twist]] provoked a backlash, the developers incorporated a wider variety of narrative branches into ''House of Ashes''{{'}} story.<ref name="PCGamesNInterview" /><ref name="Polygon_LittleHopeEnding" /><ref name="PolygonInterview" /> Consequently, ''House of Ashes'' includes over 60 death scenes.<ref name="60Deaths" />

''House of Ashes'' includes elements of exploration and allows players to pick up collectables while searching and moving through locations,<ref name="GameInformerReview" /> and a new light source mechanic aids players in underground navigation and inspection by illuminating dark paths that lay ahead.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /> Several scenes in the game, including combat-heavy ones, make use of QTEs that can lead to penalties like a protagonist's death in case of failure to provide a precisely timed input.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> Many types of QTE involve pressing specific buttons—either once or repeatedly—to trigger actions from the player character, such as dodging an obstacle<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> or keeping calm when hiding from a threat.<ref name="PCGamesNFirstLook" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /> Another type is the moving of a [[Astronomy:Reticle|reticle]] onto a target to shoot it.<ref name="VG247Review" /> The game displays a notice whenever players are about to perform a QTE, illustrating the type of action the QTE is intended to perform.<ref name="PCGamerReview" />

The eponymous "pictures" mechanic from its predecessors makes a return. Pictures, which have either a black, white, or gold frame, trigger a [[Precognition|vision of possible future story branches]] to help players make decisions.<ref name="TheGamer_Premonitions" />{{efn|"Black" pictures allude to a possible character death, while "white" pictures foretell an event associated with a positive outcome. A "gold" picture does not show events from the current game but gives premonitions of a scene for the next game in the anthology.<ref name="TheGamer_Premonitions" />|name=pictures}} In line with earlier games in the series, 50 "secrets"—items that are scattered throughout ''House of Ashes''—provide background information and context to events that happened in the temple and preceded the main plot.<ref name="TheGamer_PostgameContent" /> Secrets consist partly of journal entries from the 1940s that, when picked up, activate a cutscene where the author's voice recounts a contemporaneous archaeology mission that occurred in the temple.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="TheGamer_PostgameContent" />

Another holdover feature present in ''House of Ashes'' is the set of four gameplay modes with which the game could be played. The "Theatrical" and "Curator's Cut" modes are [[Software:Single-player video game|single-player]], while "Movie Night" and "Shared Story" are [[Software:Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]].<ref name="IGNHungarianReview" /><ref name="MovieNight" /> Customers who [[Finance:Pre-order|pre-order]]ed the game gained early access to the "Curator's Cut", a version of the story that shows mostly the same scenes that are viewed from the perspective and control of another protagonist.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" />{{efn|In January 2022, the "Curator's Cut" became available for players who purchased but did not pre-order ''House of Ashes''.<ref name="EurogamerCuratorsCut" />|name=curator's_cut}} "Shared Story" and "Movie Night" offer the option to control the characters with another person; "Shared Story" acts as a two-player version of the game and "Movie Night" accommodates up to three more players.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="GamesRadarHorrorEvolution" /> The multiplayer concept was inspired by [[Video game live streaming|live streamers]]' collaborative manner of playing ''[[Software:Until Dawn|Until Dawn]]'' (2015), another game by Supermassive, which prompted the developers to incorporate such a feature in their following releases.<ref name="GamesRadarHorrorEvolution" />

== Synopsis ==
=== Setting and prologue ===
[[File:Bronze head of an Akkadian ruler (2).png|thumb|upright=0.8|left|alt=A bronze head artefact, with the beard depicted prominently. The artefact is believed to illustrate the Akkadian god-king Naram-Sin, or his grandfather Sargon of Akkad.|Most of the game is set in Akkad, formerly ruled by the king Naram-Sin (mask pictured). He features prominently in the prologue.]]

''House of Ashes''{{'}} plot unfolds within the former territory of the ancient Akkadian Empire that existed in Mesopotamia around 4,000 years ago.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> In the game's timeline, it was the site of the crash-landing of a spaceship that carried thousands of large, bat-like aliens controlled by a parasite that gestates within the host's body.<ref name="TheGamer_Vampires" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_MaryNotes" /> The disease caused the aliens to mutate into vampires<ref name="TheGamer_Vampires" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_CreatureLifeCycle" /> that are vulnerable to ultraviolet light; they have hibernated underground for millennia, occasionally venturing to the surface to feed on their victims' [[Biology:Adrenaline|adrenaline]].<ref name="TheGamer_Vampires" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_AutopsyNotes" />

The prologue takes place in 2231 BC in the temple, located in Akkad.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> As a [[History:Gutian people|Gutian]] army prepares to invade Akkad, King Naram-Sin orders the mass sacrifice of Gutian prisoners in the city temple to help them win the battle. During the assault, a [[Earth:Solar eclipse|solar eclipse]] allows the aliens beneath the temple to slaughter both forces. Two survivors, Akkadian general Balathu and Gutian soldier Kurum, ignore their differences and work together as they flee into the temple catacombs. An alien quickly overwhelms Balathu and Kurum, presumably killing them.<ref name="TheGamer_PrologueWalkthrough" />

Following the prologue, the game cuts to a scene of a library owned by the Curator. He introduces himself to the player and provides information about parts of ''House of Ashes''{{'}} gameplay, including the decision-making system<ref name="TheGamer_BriefingWalkthrough" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene1" /> and the pictures system.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene2" />

=== Characters ===
{{Multiple image
| direction         = horizontal
| caption_align     = center
| image1            = Nick E. Tarabay 2014 (cropped).jpg
| alt1              = A photo of actor Nick Tarabay at the 2014 Florida Supercon
| caption1          = Nick Tarabay (pictured&nbsp;2014) voices Salim Othman.
| image2            = Ashley Tisdale for Allure in 2018.png
| alt2              = A photo of actor Ashley Tisdale doing a video for Allure in 2018
| caption2          = Ashley Tisdale (pictured&nbsp;2018) voices Rachel King.
| total_width       = 275
}}

The game's five protagonists include Rachel King (Ashley Tisdale), a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative working for the US Armed Forces, and her husband Eric King (Alex Gravenstein), who is a lieutenant colonel in the {{wipe|United States Air Force}}. Rounding out the ensemble cast's four-American tally are Sergeant Nick Kay (Moe Jeudy-Lamour) of the Marine Corps, Rachel's paramour; and US Marine First Lieutenant Jason Kolchek (Paul Zinno), the squad leader of callsign Mailman 2–1. Republic Guard lieutenant Salim Othman (Nick E. Tarabay) is the sole Iraqi protagonist.<ref name="TheGamer_BriefingWalkthrough" /><ref name="ShackNewsActorsList" />

''House of Ashes'' centres around two main character dynamics: Rachel's relationship with Eric and Nick, and Jason's relationship with Salim.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> After a year apart, Rachel and Eric have grown distant,<ref name="TheGamer_BriefingWalkthrough" /> leading to her affair with Nick, which can cause serious issues between the three throughout the game.<ref name="PolygonReview" /> Haunted by memories of ordering the shooting of an unarmed civilian at a checkpoint, Jason is searching for his purpose in life, having enlisted in the military after the [[Religion:September 11 attacks|September 11 attacks]] in an attempt to do so, motivated by Islamophobic sentiments. Salim, a father who wishes to reunite with his son after escaping the temple, may help Jason turn their initial animosity into friendship as part of the story's core theme. With this, he can make Jason empathize with Iraqis, especially Salim's reasons for joining the war, and overcome his prejudices.<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="TheGamer_BrothersWalkthrough" /><ref name="KotakuReview" />

=== Main plot ===
Eric arrives at Camp Slayer in [[Place:Baghdad|Baghdad]] to debrief a team of Force Recon Marines led by Rachel about a mission to raid a village in the Arabian Desert. He tells her, Jason, Nick, and the others that there might be a facility underneath the village that stores chemical weapons by Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.<ref name="TheGamer_BriefingWalkthrough" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene5" /> Meanwhile, Salim returns home and searches for his son, carrying a birthday gift for him, but his commanding officer Cpt. Dar Basri forces Salim to intercept Eric's raid, spearheaded by Jason.<ref name="TheGamer_RaidWalkthrough" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene6" /> Salim's squad ambushes the US troops when they arrive, but several sinkholes plunge everyone into the ancient Akkadian temple, now buried beneath the sand.<ref name="TheGamer_RaidWalkthrough" />

The five protagonists are separated during the fall. The Iraqis and Americans are frequently attacked by the aliens and certain reanimated humans who succumbed to the parasite inside the temple.{{efn|One of the vampires is named "Ancient One", who is either Balathu or Kurum depending on player choices in the prologue.<ref name="TheGamer_HoAAchievements" />}} Rachel and Jason can catch the infection later in the game.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene8" /><ref name="TheGamer_HiddenPlotlines" /><ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene9" /> Throughout ''House of Ashes'', the protagonists learn about the temple's history and about the remains of a failed British 1940s archaeological expedition. Led by Randolph Hodgson and Lady Bradshaw in a supposed search for Alexander the Great's tomb,<ref name="HouseofAshes_JournalStart" /> the entire expedition team perished after encountering and studying the monsters;<ref name="HouseofAshes_JournalEnd" /> Hodgson tried but failed to destroy the temple with dynamite.<ref name="HouseofAshes_ConfessionLetter" />

Salim explores the temple alone as the surviving marines regroup, using steel debris from a fallen truck to fight the vampires; Rachel is separated from Eric after a stand-off with Dar and falls into a blood-soaked pit. While the US forces search for ways to signal for help, she comes across an infected Clarice, abducted by the vampires earlier. Together, the two climb out of the pit, but due to Clarice's worsening state, Rachel must choose whether to abandon her or have her continue forward to medicate the illness.<ref name="HouseOfAshes_Scene14" /> Regardless, Rachel reunites with her allies in the temple, after which they are promptly assaulted by the vampires.<ref name="HouseOfAshes_Scene15" /> As they escape towards the catacombs below them, the Americans encounter Dar, now joined by Salim.<ref name="TheGamer_TheHorrorWalkthrough" />

Salim suggests they unite to fight the monsters, to which the others reluctantly agree.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene16" /> The vampires continue their attack in the catacombs, separating everyone and killing Dar.<ref name="TheGamer_TheHorrorWalkthrough" /> After the assault, Salim encounters Jason and suggests to form an alliance with him. The two explore the temple<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene17" /> and go deeper into the alien spaceship's remains, where they find the partially preserved remains of either Balathu or Kurum.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene18" /> Nick, and possibly Rachel and Eric, follow afterward. Once the survivors flee from another close encounter with the creatures, they further explore the spaceship and learn about the vampires' origin.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene19" />

The survivors talk about a gigantic nest of hibernating vampires they found in the spaceship and incinerate it with explosives. As the cocoons burn, they escape to the surface to await extraction by a rescue team,<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene20" /> but a total solar eclipse allows the aliens to attack the group one final time before the dispatched team arrives. During a post-credits epilogue at Camp Slayer, the located protagonists are transported—and interviewed if found alive—inside the base.{{efn |name = plotnote2 |During the epilogue, the extraction team may fail to discover two characters. Rachel can get confined within a vampire's cocoon with no-one alive to direct the team towards her.<ref name="TheGamer_HoAAchievements" /> If the US troops had not called for close air support, Salim can safely return to his son at home instead of being arrested as a POW by the US military,<ref name="TheGamer_HoAAchievements" /><ref name="TheGamer_HoAGoodEnding" /> interacting with other survivors for the final time before leaving Target LZ.<ref name="HouseofAshes_SalimGoesHome" />}} The US military,<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene22" /> planning to cover up the entire incident, begins analysis of the vampires.<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene23" />

== Development ==

=== Design and inspiration ===
[[File:H. P. Lovecraft, June 1934.jpg|thumb|alt=Lovecraft in 1934, facing left and looking right.|The developers looked at the works of H. P. Lovecraft (pictured in 1934) while writing the game's story, and out of all his books, they drew the most influence from his science horror novella ''At the Mountains of Madness'' (1936).<ref name="IGNPortugalPreview" />]]''House of Ashes'' is the third game<ref name="VideoGamer.comReview" /> in a series of eight planned for ''The Dark Pictures Anthology''.<ref name="8Games" /> Its screenplay was written by Khurrum Rahman,<ref name="VGChartzReview" /> while Will Doyle directed the game and Dom Ireland oversaw production.<ref name="RedditAMA" /> The game was the anthology's first to be available on PlayStation 5 and [[Engineering:Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]], making use of the next-generation graphics and resolution the new platforms provide.<ref name="VentureBeatNextGen" /><ref name="UnrealEngineInterview" /><ref name="IGNInterview" />{{Rp|at=05:56}} ''Man of Medan'' and ''Little Hope'' received PS5/Xbox Series X/S upgrades in September 2022, which were free for those who already owned the games.<ref name="MoMandLHUpgrades" />

Inspirations for ''House of Ashes'' included the films ''Aliens'' (1986), ''Predator'' (1987), and ''The Descent'' (2005); the [[Biography:H. P. Lovecraft|H. P. Lovecraft]] novella ''At the Mountains of Madness'' (1936); and the myth of the Curse of Akkad.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /><ref name="GamesRadarPreview" /> Doyle described ''House of Ashes'' as a creature feature and an exploration horror game about an ensemble cast of "trained experts", who are "beyond safety" and unable to get backup for a "critical" mission in a secluded location, where they encounter threats Doyle described as "horrible" and "inhumane".<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /><ref name="GamesRadarPreview" /> Like the other instalments, ''House of Ashes'' was designed to be a standalone story,<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /><ref name="EurogamerTeaserTrailer" /> but Supermassive Games included [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] and callbacks to previous and future instalments to create a [[Social:Shared universe|shared universe]] within the anthology.<ref name="UnrealEngineInterview" /><ref name="TheGamer_EasterEggs" /> Character models from ''House of Ashes''{{'}} predecessors were reused in the game; Sara Rechena from the Portuguese edition of ''IGN'' said the choice was reminiscent of the anthology TV series ''American Horror Story''.<ref name="IGNPortugueseReview" />

David Hirst oversaw the art team's research into Mesopotamian architecture, dress, and headgear for use in the game, "filling in the gaps where necessary to create a realistic yet memorable look". They created a temple inspired by real-life complexes from the Akkadian time period and aged it to fit within the game's 2003 setting, filling pathways with sand and breaking down the pillars and ceilings.<ref name="ArtBlast" /> The team spent an extensive amount of time designing the monsters, the most complicated of their kind they had made thus far. Developers combined [[Motion capture|motion capture]] and hand animation elements, to make the creatures act lifelike.<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing" /><ref name="PCGamesNInterview" /> The executive producer Dan McDonald, in an interview with ''PCGamesN'', said Supermassive focused on determining the monsters' physiology to achieve an "otherworldly" effect, which they did using "a bunch of props, stilts, and other things".<ref name="PCGamesNInterview" /> Doyle also said the monsters' designs were created to be faceless so they would appear incomprehensible and unempathetic, and inhumane enough to "bring out the humanity" in the protagonists.<ref name="IGNInterview" />{{Rp|at=04:54}}<ref name="EurogamerInterview" />

=== Usage of the Iraq War as setting ===
McDonald said while the game is set during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, they did not want war and politics to be its primary focus, though they attempted to treat the topic with respect nonetheless.<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /><ref name="PolygonInterview" />  Because Doyle thought movies depicting the Iraq War tended to dehumanise people from opposing nations, he and his team wanted to include an Iraqi protagonist in the main cast to add nuance and representation.<ref name="EurogamerInterview" /> To make the characters more three-dimensional, Supermassive tied several aspects of their backstories, such as Salim's desire to leave the war and go back to his son, to the invasion.<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /> During production, the developers consulted military specialists and Arabic speakers to ensure their depiction of 2003 Iraq was "grounded in reality" and the plot's script was of good quality.<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /><ref name="PolygonInterview" />

Supermassive attributed the decision to set the game in Iraq to the country's abundance in myths and folklore the team could incorporate into the story.<ref name="PolygonInterview" /> The developers believed the 2003–2011 Iraq War would make an "interesting" departure point for the development of the five protagonists, allowing them the opportunity for character motivations, relationships and dynamics the developers found compelling, sympathetic and complex.<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /><ref name="EurogamerInterview" />

=== Casting the lead ===
For Rachel King, the developers wanted to cast someone who could exhibit a "tough" personality but was simultaneously capable of showing a "soft side", and Supermassive Games decided Ashley Tisdale, known for her appearances in the ''High School Musical'' franchise, was fit for the role.<ref name="Xbox_News2" /> The project would expand Tisdale's career experiences outside of her usual roles in comedy, so Tisdale agreed to provide Rachel's voice and likeness,<ref name="GameInformerInterview" /> making her debut as a video game actor.<ref name="ShackNewsActorsList" /> To comply with social distancing protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had to avoid bodily contact with the others while having their performances recorded by motion capture. Their movements were digitally edited in [[Engineering:Post-production|post-production]] to give the impression of contact.<ref name="EurogamerInterview" /><ref name="GamingboltTisdale" /> In an interview with the developers, Tisdale recounted her experiences while acting for ''House of Ashes'' and expressed excitement in her role as a CIA operative in the game:<ref name="TisdaleOfficialInterview" />

{{Blockquote|text=I'm obsessed with the CIA, and so I was very excited to play a character [like Rachel] because I haven't gotten to do that on TV or movies yet&nbsp;... I am more known for obviously doing comedy, but this is like, you know what? For me I've always wanted to do an action film, and I am living out my action dreams [acting for the game] because, yes, it is scary, but there's so much action adventure in it, and it's pretty cool—it's pretty wild&nbsp;... Everyone's really cool; I mean, we all have so much fun and we kind of are just like here kind of killing it.<ref name="TisdaleOfficialInterview" />}}Supermassive Games promoted Tisdale and Rachel as the ''House of Ashes'' lead.<ref name="ShackNewsPreview" /> As observed by Kimberley Wallace from ''Game Informer'', every game in the series follows this trend. Apart from ''House of Ashes''{{'}} Tisdale, she noted that Shawn Ashmore and Will Poulter starred in the series, playing characters in ''Man of Medan'' and ''Little Hope'' respectively.<ref name="GameInformerInterview" />

=== Music and sound design ===
[[File:Jason Graves -- Game Developers Conference 2016 -- 18 March 2016 (3) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|alt=A photo of Jason Graves taken during the Game Developers Conference in 2016.|Jason Graves (2016) reprises his role as composer for ''The Dark Pictures'']]

The soundtrack was composed by Supermassive Games's long-time collaborator Jason Graves, who previously worked with them on music for other games in ''The Dark Pictures Anthology''. Before the series' inception, he composed music for ''Until Dawn''.<ref name="GravesPushSquareInterview" /><ref name="GravesSpinInterview" /> Graves began composing music during the early stages of development, which happened to be during the UK's COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. The score comprises string and percussion instruments, including hand drums and distorted guitars, as well as flutes and synthesisers.<ref name="GravesSpinInterview" /><ref name="PlayStationBlog" />

The game's sound director Barney Pratt used a combination of film- and game-music editing techniques to create a cinematic, immersive atmosphere for ''House of Ashes''. Pratt's team wanted the score's style to be shaped by the plot and gameplay,<ref name="GravesSpinInterview" /><ref name="Xbox_News1" /> so a percussive, Sumerian-style composition was used for the prologue. It progresses to a horror-themed orchestration of other instruments,<ref name="Xbox_News1" /> with the synthesisers added after the game's twist to evoke the image of highly advanced technology.<ref name="PlayStationBlog" /> In these scores, Pratt made use of the game's "signature sound" that could convey a wide variety of emotions, ranging from "unnerving" to "dramatic". He also planned the signature sound to be subtle and encompass a vast range of "time zones, cultures, and locations", in line with the story's "consistent element[s]".<ref name="PlayStationBlog" /><ref name="Xbox_News1" /> Graves started working on this sound using a sample of a dove's coo, which he used as the basis for the other arrangements.<ref name="PlayStationBlog" />

=== Prelude and release ===
''House of Ashes'' was first revealed in a post-credits teaser trailer at the end of ''Little Hope'',<ref name="EurogamerFirstTeaser" /><ref name="IGNFirstTeaser" /> which was released on 30 October 2020.<ref name="VG247LittleHopeRelease" /><ref name="GameInformerLittleHope" /> Supermassive Games and [[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]] published another teaser trailer on 19 May 2021<ref name="PCGamerTeaserTrailer" /><ref name="GameInformerTeaserTrailer" /> then officially revealed the gameplay the next week.<ref name="GameInformerTeaserTrailer" /><ref name="GamesRadarGameplayReveal" /> Two story trailers provided glimpses on the game's plot; one trailer premiered at E3 2021's Summer Game Fest on 10 June<ref name="WashingtonPostE3" /><ref name="GamespotE3" /> and another at Gamescom 2021 on 25 August.<ref name="TheGamer_Gamescom" /><ref name="EurogamerHiddenLore" /> The Gamescom trailer contains an advertisement for the game's "Pazuzu Edition" and a link to a fictional US military website that gave further details about ''House of Ashes''{{'}} [[Social:Folklore|lore]].<ref name="EurogamerHiddenLore" /><ref name="TheGamer_HiddenLore" /> The ''Pazuzu Edition'', the name for the game's collector's edition, included the Curator's Cut, a collector's box, an art print, a set of stickers, a figurine of one of the vampiric creatures, and an eclipse-shaped button.<ref name="IGNPazuzuEdition" />

In early September 2021, Supermassive and Bandai Namco made a playable [[Software:Game demo|demo]] of the game available to the public.<ref name="GamesRadarDemo" /><ref name="TheGamer_Demo" /> On 7 October, the companies released a character trailer introducing the main cast.<ref name="GamingboltCharacterTrailer" /><ref name="IGNCharacterTrailer" /> ''House of Ashes'' was released for [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], PlayStation 5, [[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], and Xbox Series X/S on 22 October 2021.<ref name="EurogamerReleaseDate" /><ref name="GamingboltReleaseDate" /> Its release was accompanied by a trailer that includes [[Engineering:Live action|live-action]] scenes of the Curator.<ref name="GamingboltReleaseDate" />

== Reception ==
<!-- change to
{{Video game reviews
| MC                 = (PC) 73/100<ref name="MetacriticPC" /><br />(PS4 & XSXS) 74/100<ref name="MetacriticPS4" /><ref name="MetacriticXSXS" /><br />(PS5) 72/100<ref name="MetacriticPS5" />
| EuroG              = Recommended<ref name="EurogamerReview" />
| GI                 = 7.5/10<ref name="GameInformerReview" />
| GRadar             = 3/5<ref name="GamesRadarReview" />
| HCG                = 3.5/5<ref name="HardcoreGamerReview" />
| IGN                = (EN) 8/10<ref name="IGNEnglishReview" />
| PSQ                = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PushSquareReview" />
| VB                 = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="VentureBeatReview" />
| VG247              = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="VG247Review" />
| VG                 = 4/10<ref name="VideoGamer.comReview" />
}}
-->{{Video game reviews
| MC                 = (PC) 73/100<ref name="MetacriticPC" /><br />(PS4 & XSXS) 74/100<ref name="MetacriticPS4" /><ref name="MetacriticXSXS" /><br />(PS5) 72/100<ref name="MetacriticPS5" />
| Destruct           = 6/10<ref name="DestructoidReview" />
| GI                 = 7.5/10<ref name="GameInformerReview" />
| GSpot              = 8/10<ref name="GameSpotReview" />
| GRadar             = 3/5<ref name="GamesRadarReview" />
| HCG                = 3.5/5<ref name="HardcoreGamerReview" />
| IGN                = (EN) 8/10<ref name="IGNEnglishReview" />
| PCGUS              = 80/100<ref name="PCGamerReview" />
| PSQ                = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="PushSquareReview" />
| SN                 = 8/10<ref name="ShackNewsReview" />
| VG247              = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="VG247Review" />
| VG                 = 4/10<ref name="VideoGamer.comReview" />
}}

''House of Ashes'' received "mixed or average" reviews on Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticAll" /> The prevailing verdict was that despite narrative and technical flaws, it was the best game of the anthology so far{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="PushSquareReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" />}} and, while not as good as ''Until Dawn'', was the closest Supermassive had gotten to replicating its quality and acclaim.{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="VG247Review" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" />}} The gimmick that ''House of Ashes'' featured, to many, was a unique, refreshing new addition to the anthology.{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" />}} Recommending the game for readers, Ian Higton of ''Eurogamer'' wrote: "It's been a delight to see the ''Dark Pictures Anthology'' surprise players with unexpected twists and turns with every new instalment, and ''House of Ashes'' is no exception".<ref name="EurogamerReview" /> In ''VentureBeat'', Dean Takahashi found that while the anthology formula had become too familiar, ''House of Ashes'' improved upon the series in many ways.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /> ''Edge'' added that the promise of the anthology remained fresh, but the "systems supporting it are starting to creak with age".<ref name="EdgeReview" />

=== Gameplay and technical elements ===

Positive comments about the gameplay revolved around the replay value,<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="GamingboltReplay" /> the QTEs' intensity,<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /> the updated mechanics such as the new QTE adjustment settings,{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /><ref name="BloodyDisgustingReview" />}} and the multiplayer modes.{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /><ref name="EdgeReview" />}} The collectables were warmly received, lauded for their associated cutscenes<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /> and utility in guiding players to best decisions,<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" /> and some critics deemed the action setpieces intense, well-choreographed, and worthwhile.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="KotakuReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /> Regarding the game's branching story and butterfly effect elements, Sisi Jiang of ''Kotaku'' and Donovan Erskine of ''Shacknews'' found them well-executed. Jiang wrote the game remained cohesive despite the dozens of possible outcomes, though Erskine did not feel the same way and wrote there was an intrinsic disadvantage in its several dialogue options.<ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="KotakuReview" /> ''Rock Paper Shotgun''{{'s}} Alice Bell wrote that the narrative branches often led to incongruous dialogue.<ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" />

Frustration and confusion arose from the characters' slow walking pace,<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> as well as ''House of Ashes''{{'}} simultaneous efforts to be a video game and emulate the cinematic experience of a horror film;<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /><ref name="KotakuReview" /><ref name="PlayReview" /> Tom Orry of ''VG247'' thought it diminished the game's interactivity.<ref name="VG247Review" /> The butterfly effect system was a point of critique for the ''GameSpot'' critic Richard Wakeling. The head and heart imagery did not properly guide him in making the most appropriate choices, and he believed the character traits system was unclear on how each trait would affect what decision,<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> an opinion present in Higton's review.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /> Meanwhile, Takahashi questioned the use of reticles to insert QTEs into combat, writing it was a "clunky way" to fight.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" />

Some critics were not sufficiently scared during their gameplay<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="VideoGamer.comReview" /><ref name="BloodyDisgustingReview" /> despite the claustrophobic setting.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /> Reasons cited included the creatures were shown early, there was no sense of danger when controlling a character,<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> the QTEs made threats less intimidating,<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /> and jumpscares fell flat.<ref name="BloodyDisgustingReview" /> On the positive side, Wakeling wrote the jumpscares were well-timed, the peril in QTE-filled action sequences elevated the set pieces, and the ambiguity in whether QTEs were inconsequential or life-altering heightened the scare factor.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> Jiang felt otherwise: "[it] created a feeling that these interactive moments were just kind of there to force me to press buttons."<ref name="KotakuReview" /> The lighting, music score, and sound design—which consisted partly of heartbeats and clicking noises—was considered successful in building suspense and elevating tension.{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="KotakuReview" />}} Higton and ''Empire''{{'s}} Matt Kamen highlighted the slow-burn, persistent dread throughout the game, praising it for effectively showcasing the Lovecraftian and Mesopotamian premise.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> Opinions on the creatures' design were varied, ranging from threatening and creepy<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="GameInformerReview" /> to underwhelming<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /> and laughable.<ref name="PushSquareReview" />

Critics welcomed the new-generation graphics<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> and deemed the camera an improvement from the previous instalments'.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="BloodyDisgustingReview" /> ''Game Informer''{{'s}} Marcus Stewart praised its 360-degree controllability for making the exploration aspect of the game more engaging,<ref name="GameInformerReview" /> and others wrote it enhanced the claustrophobia ''House of Ashes'' wanted to evoke.<ref name="VG247Review" /><ref name="KotakuReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> However, Stewart, along with a few more, took issue with the camera as not being at its best in confined spaces{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="EdgeReview" />}} and being hard to move at times.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> There were moments where immersion occasionally took a dip for some, often because game textures glitched, characters talked over each other,<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /> or facial animations tended to stay stiff.<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> Referencing Rachel's animations, Kamen likened it to an "[[Philosophy:Uncanny valley|uncanny valley]]" experience,<ref name="EmpireReview" /> while McLevy called her motion capture's budget "shitty".<ref name="AVClubCommentary" />

=== Story ===
Although noting some awkward moments in the dialogue, critics found the game generally well-written<ref name="VentureBeatReview" /><ref name="PolygonReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> and an effective balance of camp, fun, and horror.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /> The major parts of the story's appeal for them were its genre-savvy approach to survival horror,<ref name="KotakuReview" /> its way of building tension,<ref name="KotakuReview" /><ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> and its comical [[Engineering:B movie|B movie]] tendencies.<ref name="WashingtonPostReview" /><ref name="EdgeReview" /><ref name="AVClubCommentary" /> One critique was that the theme felt heavy-handed, with the "enemy of my enemy" phrase invoked too often.<ref name="VG247Review" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="PushSquareReview" /> Pacing was a recurring point of criticism, and reviews cited certain sections of the story they believed were a drag.<ref name="VG247Review" /><ref name="KotakuReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> Cass Marshall of ''Polygon'', while calling the pacing "excellent", wrote that more time should have been spent on the game's lore.<ref name="PolygonReview" /> ''Play''{{'s}} Jess Kinghorn noted that future games in the anthology might benefit from runtimes closer to traditional films to balance the cinematic aspirations with giving players enough to do.<ref name="PlayReview" />

Marshall praised the cast as "strongly characterised",<ref name="PolygonReview" /> and Kamen called it the anthology's best and most complex thus far.<ref name="EmpireReview" /> Higton and Jordan Devore of ''[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]]'' wrote that some characters who seemed annoying at first might become more likeable to players later in the game.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /> On the other hand, for ''IGN''{{'s}} Ricky Frech, the characters remained the weakest part of the anthology and could have been less derivative.<ref name="IGNEnglishReview" /> The love triangle dynamic between Rachel, Eric, and Nick was criticized as being out of place given the context of constant danger,<ref name="GameInformerReview" /> akin to a soap opera forced only for drama.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" /> Reviewers thought Salim and Jason's interactions more interesting,<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" /> highlighting their competency, pragmatism, and willingness to cooperate.<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" /> Praise abounded for Salim, due to his backstory as a father and his nice attitude towards his aggressors;<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="VG247Review" /> many ranked him as the game's most-likeable character.{{efn|Cited to multiple reviews<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GamesRadarReview" /><ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="DestructoidReview" />}} Jason also received some praise from critics, who cited his potential to develop camaraderie with Salim and abandon his anti-Arab racism.<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview" /> Overall, the cast's acting was deemed strong enough to sell the drama<ref name="GameInformerReview" /><ref name="ShackNewsReview" /><ref name="VG247Review" /> and better than the performances for ''Man of Medan'' and ''Little Hope'';<ref name="EurogamerReview" /> Kinghorn called the performances serviceable, but wished some of them had gone bigger, notably Tisdale's Rachel earning the nickname "Queen Bitch" from her subordinates, but Kinghorn was "ultimately left not buying it".<ref name="PlayReview" /> Takahashi was more reserved with his praise and said it was not memorable.<ref name="VentureBeatReview" />

''House of Ashes''{{'}} handling of the Iraq War received extensive commentary, and some critics wrote that it provided a balanced portrayal of both sides of the conflict.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> To them, the game did not reduce Iraq to being a setting for a "jingoistic shooting game" filled with jumpscares,<ref name="GameSpotReview" /> and it avoided focusing on Americans and portraying them as valiant heroes while dehumanising Arabs as violent rebels.<ref name="GameSpotReview" /><ref name="EmpireReview" /> They wrote that Salim, thrust into the conflict against his own will, was made empathetic and not villainous for being Iraqi,<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameSpotReview" /> and Higton argued that even Jason could be a three-dimensional character.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /> He and Wakeling concluded that it made his relationship with Salim the game's best and players willing to ensure Salim survives, perhaps him the most out of everyone.<ref name="EurogamerReview" /><ref name="GameSpotReview" /> For Marshall, the way the Americans were portrayed as flawed and antagonistic effectively delivered the game's horror-tinged themes of anti-imperialism. However, they contended there was too much time spent showcasing the Americans' animosity towards the more nuanced Salim, writing there should have been additional Iraqi representation.<ref name="PolygonReview" />

Some felt in spite of the character development, the political commentary was handled superficially,<ref name="VG247Review" /> confusingly,<ref name="GamesRadarReview" /> or pretentiously.<ref name="AVClubCommentary" /> Stewart considered the lack of thorough commentary an advantage that prevented the game from ineptly handling sensitive issues any further.<ref name="GameInformerReview" /> Meanwhile, Jiang acknowledged the clear efforts to deliver critiques on the Iraq War, but they concluded that it still perpetuated harmful mentalities associated with the war on terror and unintentionally acted as imperialist propaganda. In their view, Americans were still associated with imagery meant to instill a sense of familiarity and comfort—pictures of diners and a cross-shaped necklace—with Iraq cast as a mysterious [[Philosophy:Other|Other]]. They deemed the game's critiques ineffective for a variety of reasons, citing one scene where Jason compared fighting the vampires to fighting Iraqis, as well as the contrast between Salim and Dar's characterisation. Salim, wrote Jiang, was humanised partly by having a son who aspired to study in London, while Dar was portrayed as an unreasonable militant willing to prolong conflict in the name of nationalism. They further wrote, "[Salim] survives because he's a Good Minority with western education and connections. In contrast, Captain Dar [...] is portrayed as the Extremist, Unreasonable Minority [...] while [he is] meant to bring some moral complexity to the narrative, he ends up reinforcing the idea that the Iraqis should have been nicer when Americans invaded their country."<ref name="KotakuReview" />

=== Accolades ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Ref heading}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| rowspan="2" scope="rowgroup" | Gamescom Awards
| Best Multiplayer Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="TheGamer_GamescomAwards" /><ref name="GamescomAwards2021" />
|-
| Best Sony PlayStation Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2022
| rowspan="5" scope="rowgroup" | NAVGTR Awards
| Outstanding Camera Direction in a Game Engine
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| <ref name="NAVGTRAwards2021" />
|-
| Outstanding Direction in a Game Cinema
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Game, Franchise Adventure
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Lighting/Texturing
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Sound Editing in a Game Cinema
| {{nom}}
|}

== Sales ==
''House of Ashes'' sold 27% fewer physical copies in the United Kingdom upon its debut compared to ''Little Hope''. The game entered the UK boxed charts at number six, with 48% of boxed sales from PS5 users. The PS4 and Xbox versions, respectively, comprised 36% and 16% of physical sales at the time.<ref name="DebutSales" /> ''House of Ashes'' dropped to number 21 on the week of 30 October, denoting a 52% decrease in sales.<ref name="SecondWeekSales" /> The October 2021 issue for the GSD Top 20 Games chart, which weighs downloads and physical purchases, placed ''House of Ashes'' at number 11.<ref name="OctoberMonthlyCharts" />
<!-- Sales in UK charts information go here -->

== Sequel ==

The series' next game is ''The Dark Pictures Anthology: The Devil in Me'', which is the final game in ''The Dark Pictures''{{'}} first season.<ref name="GamespotDevilInMe" /> The first trailer was shown at the end of ''House of Ashes'' and depicts an automated human-like mechanism created from a rotting corpse.<ref name="IGNDevilInMeTeaser" /> The trailer is about a minute long and features a voiceover monologue about the "art" of serial killing.<ref name="EurogamerDevilInMe" />  A gold picture found in a chapter of ''House of Ashes'' previews a scene from ''The Devil in Me'', showing a man being incinerated by an explosion caused by a mannequin.<ref name="TheGamer_EasterEggs" />

''The Devil in Me'' follows a five-person crew of documentary filmmakers who tour a replica of H. H. Holmes' "Murder Castle" and are subsequently stalked by a malevolent force.<ref name="PolygonDevilInMe" /> The game was released on 18 November 2022 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.<ref name="TDiMReleaseDate" />

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<!-- GAMEPLAY -->

<ref name="WashingtonPostReview">{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Alyse |date=26 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Isn't ''Until Dawn'', but It's the Closest ''The Dark Pictures Anthology'' Has Come Yet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/house-of-ashes-review-dark-pictures/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118152721/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/reviews/house-of-ashes-review-dark-pictures/ |archive-date=18 January 2022 |access-date=5 January 2022 |newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}} |publisher=Nash Holdings}}</ref>

<ref name="UE4">{{Cite web |last=Thang |first=Jimmy |date=6 August 2021 |title=Over 80 Unreal Engine Games Highlighted During Recent Summer Events |url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/over-80-unreal-engine-games-highlighted-during-recent-summer-events |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808184929/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/over-80-unreal-engine-games-highlighted-during-recent-summer-events |archive-date=8 August 2021 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=[[Unreal Engine]] |publisher=[[Company:Epic Games|Epic Games]]}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerReview">{{Cite web |last=Higton |first=Ian |date=25 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Review – ''The Dark Picture Anthology''{{'}}s Best Entry Yet |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-21-house-of-ashes-review-the-dark-picture-anthologys-best-entry-yet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111133209/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-21-house-of-ashes-review-the-dark-picture-anthologys-best-entry-yet |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeatPressBriefing">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=27 May 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Takes Horror Under the Desert |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/27/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-takes-horror-under-the-desert/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134427/https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/27/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-takes-horror-under-the-desert/ |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

<ref name="GameInformerInterview">{{Cite magazine |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=27 May 2021 |title=Everything You Need to Know About Supermassive Games' ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2021/05/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-supermassive-games-house-of-ashes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134429/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2021/05/27/everything-you-need-to-know-about-supermassive-games-house-of-ashes |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]]}}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeatReview">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review – Saving Friends and Enemies Alike |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/10/21/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-saving-friends-and-enemies-alike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111133208/https://venturebeat.com/2021/10/21/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-saving-friends-and-enemies-alike/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

<ref name="GamespotPreview">{{Cite web |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |date=27 May 2021 |title=How ''House of Ashes''{{'}}s Changes Could Make It ''The Dark Pictures Anthology''{{'}}s ''Resident Evil 4'' |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-house-of-ashess-changes-could-make-it-the-dark-pictures-anthologys-resident-evil-4/1100-6492093/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031085311/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-house-of-ashess-changes-could-make-it-the-dark-pictures-anthologys-resident-evil-4/1100-6492093/ |archive-date=31 October 2021 |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNHungarianReview">{{Cite web |last=Gábor |first=Horváth |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Kritika |trans-title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Review |url=https://hu.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/71757/review/teszt-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029163648/https://hu.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/71757/review/teszt-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes |archive-date=29 October 2021 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=IGN Hungary |publisher=MLK Consulting |language=hu}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_BeginnerTips">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=22 October 2021 |title=10 Beginner's Tips for ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-dark-pictures-beginners-tips-tricks-advice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111093638/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-dark-pictures-beginners-tips-tricks-advice/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_HoAAchievements">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=5 November 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': How to Unlock Every Achievement |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-how-to-unlock-every-achievement-trophy-unlock-guide-walkthrough/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109053439/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-how-to-unlock-every-achievement-trophy-unlock-guide-walkthrough/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="KotakuOverview">{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=10 June 2021 |title=''Until Dawn'' Devs Are Making a Horror Game Set During the Iraq War |url=https://kotaku.com/until-dawn-devs-are-making-a-horror-game-set-during-the-1847074117 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129055910/https://kotaku.com/until-dawn-devs-are-making-a-horror-game-set-during-the-1847074117 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |access-date=29 January 2022 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media}}</ref>

<ref name="TheCurator">{{Cite web |last=Gina |date=2 December 2021 |title=Who Is ''Dark Pictures Anthology''{{'}}s Curator? |url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-pictures-anthology-curator/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203071004/https://www.cbr.com/dark-pictures-anthology-curator/ |archive-date=3 December 2021 |access-date=27 May 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNPortugueseReview">{{Cite web |last=Rechena |first=Sara |date=26 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Análise |trans-title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Review |url=https://pt.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/105131/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-analise |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113123424/https://pt.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/105131/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-analise |archive-date=13 January 2022 |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=IGN Portugal |publisher=GOATPixel |language=pt}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadarReview">{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Rachel |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review – 'Lackluster Military Versus Monsters Soap Opera' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021142333/https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="60Deaths">{{Cite web |date=16 June 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology – House of Ashes'' Joins E3 with an Exclusive Interview with the Executive Producer |url=https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/the-dark-pictures/news/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-joins-e3-exclusive-interview-the |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707080533/https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/the-dark-pictures/news/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-joins-e3-exclusive-interview-the |archive-date=7 July 2021 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=[[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |publisher=Bandai Namco Holdings}}</ref>

<ref name="PCGamesNFirstLook">{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Gina |date=27 May 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' First Look: 'We're Not Making ''Tomb Raider'' or ''Call of Duty''{{'}} |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/gameplay-not-tomb-raider-cod |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111133207/https://www.pcgamesn.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/gameplay-not-tomb-raider-cod |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N}}</ref>

<ref name="ShackNewsReview">{{Cite web |last=Erskine |first=Donovan |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review: As Above, so Below |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/127237/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-as-above-so-below |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021140823/https://www.shacknews.com/article/127237/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-as-above-so-below |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=Shacknews |publisher=Gamerhub}}</ref>

<ref name="VG247Review">{{Cite web |last=Orry |first=Tom |date=22 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review – Caught Between a Video Game and a Movie |url=https://www.vg247.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-caught-between-a-video-game-and-a-movie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022135623/https://www.vg247.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-caught-between-a-video-game-and-a-movie |archive-date=22 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021 |website=VG247 |publisher=Gamer Network Limited}}</ref>

<ref name="PCGamerReview">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Fraser |date=21 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/house-of-ashes-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021154517/https://www.pcgamer.com/house-of-ashes-review/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="GameInformerReview">{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review – A Respectable Reign of Mild Terror |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021140230/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]] |magazine=Game Informer}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_Premonitions">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=2 November 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': Where to Find Every Picture |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-where-find-every-picture-collectable-locations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109053449/https://www.thegamer.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-where-find-every-picture-collectable-locations/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_PostgameContent">{{Cite web |last=Dagny |first=Nico |date=24 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': 6 Things to Do After You Beat the Game |url=https://www.thegamer.com/dark-pictures-house-ashes-postgame-content/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109053457/https://www.thegamer.com/dark-pictures-house-ashes-postgame-content/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="MovieNight">{{Cite web |last=Urquhart |first=Colin |date=8 April 2021 |title=Why Next-Gen Consoles Need Next-Gen Faces |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-08-why-next-gen-consoles-need-next-gen-faces |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219080122/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-04-08-why-next-gen-consoles-need-next-gen-faces |archive-date=19 February 2022 |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerCuratorsCut">{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=31 January 2022 |title=''Dark Pictures Anthology'' Owners Can Invite a Friend to Co-Op for Free Throughout February |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dark-pictures-anthology-owners-can-invite-a-friend-to-co-op-for-free-throughout-february |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408153449/https://www.eurogamer.net/dark-pictures-anthology-owners-can-invite-a-friend-to-co-op-for-free-throughout-february |archive-date=8 April 2022 |access-date=8 April 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadarHorrorEvolution">{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Joe |date=29 October 2021 |title=Creativity and Risk Are Driving Modern Horror Games – but Where Does the Genre Go Next? |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-horror-games-are-evolving-little-nightmares-dark-pictures-anthology-wraith-the-oblivion-afterlife/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116213610/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-horror-games-are-evolving-little-nightmares-dark-pictures-anthology-wraith-the-oblivion-afterlife/ |archive-date=16 November 2021 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<!-- SETTING AND PROLOGUE -->

<ref name="GameSpotReview">{{Cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review – The Descent |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-the-descent/1900-6417766/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022001908/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review-the-descent/1900-6417766/ |archive-date=22 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_EasterEggs">{{Cite web |last=Od |first=Xavier |date=4 December 2021 |title=7 Things Everyone Completely Missed in ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-hidden-details-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110050512/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-hidden-details-easter-eggs/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_Vampires">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=6 February 2022 |title=''House of Ashes'': The Vampires, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-vampires-creatures-lore-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220072004/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-vampires-creatures-lore-explained/ |archive-date=20 February 2022 |access-date=20 February 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_MaryNotes">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=(([[Company:Supermassive Games|Supermassive Games]])) |publisher=[[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Mary Hodgson (through Secret #43: Mary's Notes)''': As I discover more about the musical language of these creatures, my mind spins in wonder at how they came to be here. Did they soar through the skies in the days of the dinosaurs? Did their great empire span the globe while we were still swinging from the trees? They are dead now. Their forms are somewhat like our own, but everything else about them is alien to life as we know it. The console displays what appears to be a constellation of stars: [[Astronomy:Cetus|Cetus]], as seen from Earth. Did they come here from beyond, crossing great gulfs of space to land here? Were they trying to get home?}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_CreatureLifeCycle">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Unknown Archaeologist (through Secret #19: Creature Life Cycle)''': Hunts Victim / Implants Parasite / Parasite Gestates / Host Death / Parasite Takes Over}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_AutopsyNotes">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Enemy of My Enemy |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Unknown Archaeologist (through Secret #46: Autopsy Notes)''': Autopsy Notes / Specimen contains an inordinate amount of blood in its stomach. / Analysis of blood sample shows high density of adrenaline. / Does the organism feed on fear?}}</ref>

<ref name="Xbox_News1">{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Barney |date=22 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' and the Science of Sound |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/10/22/house-of-ashes-and-the-science-of-sound/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106073237/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/10/22/house-of-ashes-and-the-science-of-sound/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Xbox Wire |publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_PrologueWalkthrough">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=10 December 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': Cursed (Prologue) – Scene Walkthrough |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-prologue-walkthrough-choices-consequences-collectibles-secrets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214032049/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-prologue-walkthrough-choices-consequences-collectibles-secrets/ |archive-date=14 December 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="KotakuReview">{{Cite web |last=Jiang |first=Sisi |date=26 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': The ''Kotaku'' Review |url=https://kotaku.com/house-of-ashes-the-kotaku-review-1847938233 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026220844/https://kotaku.com/house-of-ashes-the-kotaku-review-1847938233 |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=18 March 2023 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene1">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Cursed |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Curator''': You are about to make some difficult decisions, decisions that will affect the lives of others. How those decisions play out will become clear over time … I am the Curator; the custodian of tales. My purpose is to keep a record of everything you do, every decision, or every mistake, you make.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene2">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Cursed |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Curator''': Let me give you a few words of advice. Throughout the story, you will encounter certain pictures – pictures, which allude to possible outcomes. I suggest you pay attention to their meaning – they could foreshadow a future best avoided.}}</ref>

<!-- CHARACTERS -->

<ref name="TheGamer_BriefingWalkthrough">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=10 December 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': The Briefing – Scene Walkthrough |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-briefing-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010009/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-briefing-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |archive-date=14 December 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="PolygonReview">{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=27 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Is an Ambitious Horror Game That Mostly Pulls It Off |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22747618/house-of-ashes-review-supermassive-games-story-gameplay-themes-ending-horror |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108213039/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/22747618/house-of-ashes-review-supermassive-games-story-gameplay-themes-ending-horror |archive-date=8 November 2021 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Polygon |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="ShackNewsActorsList">{{Cite web |last=Erskine |first=Donovan |date=22 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Voice Actors and Cast |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/127281/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-voice-actors-and-cast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102013735/https://www.shacknews.com/article/127281/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-voice-actors-and-cast |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=21 January 2022 |website=Shacknews |publisher=Gamerhub}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_BrothersWalkthrough">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=29 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': Brothers – Scene Walkthrough |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-brothers-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122214448/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-brothers-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |archive-date=22 November 2021 |access-date=30 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<!-- MAIN PLOT -->

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene5">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The Briefing |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Eric''': Satellite sweeps of the war zone have uncovered what appears to be an underground storage facility. This will, of course, require further investigation. But I strongly suspect it's where Saddam's chemical weapons are hidden. / [Merwin and Nick fist bump each other] / '''Jason''': We got you, you sonovabitch! / '''Eric''': CENTCOM has given the green light to raid the facility and seize any weapons on site.}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_RaidWalkthrough">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=11 December 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': The Raid – Scene Walkthrough |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-raid-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/#badra-mandali-salim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118024622/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-raid-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/#badra-mandali-salim |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene6">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The Raid |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Salim (in Arabic)''': Captain Basri! Hello. / '''Dar (in Arabic)''': We need to move out now! / '''Salim''': What are you talking about? / '''Dar''': They're coming, Salim! The invaders are flying in! / '''Salim''': Invaders? Captain, the war is over! We lost! / '''Dar''': Nonsense! There has been no surrender! In the name of God, this is our land, man! This is where we fight back!}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene8">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Bloodbath |date=22 October 2021 |quote=[Clarice convulses and coughs profusely, and something in her throat appears to twitch, causing Rachel to step back] / '''Rachel''': Clarice? What did that thing do to you? / '''Clarice''': Please... Please don't leave me down here alone!}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_HiddenPlotlines">{{Cite web |last=Dagny |first=Nico |date=26 October 2021 |title=Hidden Plotlines Everyone Completely Missed in ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-hidden-plotlines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111120306/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-hidden-plotlines/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene9">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote=[Rachel drops to the floor and screams] / '''Eric''': There's no more time! [Turns on UV lamp] Maybe we can burn the infection out of her? / '''Nick''': Well do it, she's dying! / [Eric shines the lamp on Rachel, whose mouth begins to smoke. She nauseates and vomits blood along with the parasite, which crawls out of sight] / '''Rachel''': [Coughing] That was inside me! I'm going to kill that fucking thing!}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_JournalStart">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The Temple |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Randolph Hodgson (through journal entry)''': September 24th, 1945. When Lady Bradshaw summons you, you go. Mary and I were bound for our honeymoon, but the chance to dine with one of Britain's finest antiquarians was too great for us to miss. When we met, Bradshaw wore a brooch that caught Mary's eye: a Sumerian relic recovered from a dig site in the [[History:Kingdom of Iraq|Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq]]. After dinner, she showed us another find from the same site, a gold [[Social:Cuneiform|cuneiform]] tablet. She called it the final puzzle-piece in her life's work – a map that pinpoints the tomb of Alexander the Great. If she's right, the tomb lies somewhere on the border between Syria and Iraq [sic]. Lady Bradshaw wants us to lead her expedition. I realise now that our honeymoon will take place in a dusty dig site in the [[Place:Zagros Mountains|Zagros Mountains]] [sic].}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_JournalEnd">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Randolph Hodgson (through journal entry)''': They are coming. We must end it here, with fire and gunsmoke. If there is time, my last act will be to dictate this diary onto tape; perhaps, if it is found in the rubble, it can serve as a warning to any who follow us. The bones of this temple are drenched in blood. We have set foot on an uncharted shore and roused something ancient and wicked…}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_ConfessionLetter">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Ellis Van Huyten (through Secret #45: Van Huyten's confession)''': To whoever finds this. Forgive me. I have sabotaged the dynamite to prevent my colleagues from sealing this temple to the world. Lady Bradshaw was right to bring me here—these creatures are a key to limitless power. There are secrets here that could allow humanity to reach across the stars. Perhaps even achieve immortality itself. Please safeguard this ruin, and do not think badly of me for what I have done. I only serve the future.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseOfAshes_Scene14">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Bloodbath |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Clarice''': Wait! Do you really believe those medicines will help me?}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseOfAshes_Scene15">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The Assault |date=22 October 2021 |quote=[Vampires can be heard growling behind a door] / '''Rachel''': [Looking at camera footage] They're breaking through the perimeter. / '''Jason''': You got any bright ideas, now's the time!}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_TheHorrorWalkthrough">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=18 January 2022 |title=''House of Ashes'': The Horror – Scene Walkthrough |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-horror-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109053438/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-the-horror-scene-walkthrough-tips-secrets-pictures-collectables/ |archive-date=9 January 2022 |access-date=18 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene16">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The Horror |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Salim''': I feel like our uniforms are getting in the way of what could be a beautiful relationship.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene17">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Enemy of My Enemy, The City |date=22 October 2021}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene18">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=The City |date=22 October 2021 |quote=[The camera pans to a partially decomposed man. The parts that have been preserved are covered in a strange yellow fluid] / '''Jason''': Holy shit... / '''Salim''': Look at him! / '''Jason''': Check out that armor. This guy is goddamn biblical. / '''Salim''': [Lights up match, causing the preserved man's eye to twitch] Shit! D-did you see that? I think he's still alive. / '''Jason''': That's impossible.  / '''Salim''': In this place, everything's possible.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene19">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Salim''': Then a tragedy fell upon them. Their great empire collapsed. Their music felt silent. And they turned on each other. What happened? A sickness? A madness? What turned them from architects into killers? Whatever it is, it twisted them. Now they're creatures of hate. Animals! Dead things! No one left to kill, so they slept and waited... They waited for us.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene20">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Strange Aeons. |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Salim''': The vampire comes from those cocoons. You saw how many there were in that vault. There could be thousands in there. / '''Jason''': So we blow them up. Burn as many of those motherfuckers as we can and head to the surface. What do you think, Sergeant? / '''Nick''': [Loads his assault rifle with magazine] Oorah!}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_HoAGoodEnding">{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Gabrielle |date=4 November 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': How to Get the Good Ending |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-how-to-get-good-best-ending-save-keep-everyone-alive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118060352/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-how-to-get-good-best-ending-save-keep-everyone-alive/ |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_SalimGoesHome">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |level=Daylight |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Salim''': I need to see my boy. [Stands up and reaches for his stake, showing it to the others] A souvenir. / [He heads for the exit but stops when he hears Jason] / '''Jason''': Salim. Wait! [Approaches Salim] Good luck, brother. You wish Zain a happy birthday for me. / '''Salim''': [Shakes Jason's hand] Thank you, Jason. Goodbye, my friend. / [Salim walks out of the house and heads home while the sun sets]}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene22">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |scene=Epilogue |level=The End |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Miller''': And the entities? / '''Brooks''': Like nothing we've seen before. / [The camera pans to a US agent, wearing PPE, taking a parasite out of a vampire specimen]}}</ref>

<ref name="HouseofAshes_Scene23">{{Cite video game |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |developer=((Supermassive Games)) |publisher=Bandai Namco Entertainment |scene=Epilogue |level=The End |date=22 October 2021 |quote='''Brooks''': So, what'd you make of it all? / '''Miller''': It doesn't matter what I think. Only thing that matters is controlling the flow of information. [Turns around and faces Brooks] As far as the world knows, not a damn thing happened here. / [Brooks and Miller walk out of the room, and the former closes the door]}}</ref>

<!-- GAMEPLAY AND STORY -->

<ref name="IGNPortugalPreview">{{Cite web |last=Gonçalves |first=Aníbal |date=27 May 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes'' – Primeiras Impressões |trans-title=''The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes'' – First Impressions |url=https://pt.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/99025/preview/the-dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-primeiras-impressoes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008084820/https://pt.ign.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/99025/preview/the-dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-primeiras-impressoes |archive-date=8 October 2021 |access-date=28 January 2022 |website=IGN Portugal |publisher=GOATPixel |language=pt}}</ref>

<ref name="VideoGamer.comReview">{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Josh |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021164925/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network Ltd.}}</ref>

<ref name="8Games">{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=11 July 2019 |title=''Until Dawn'' Developer's ''Dark Pictures Anthology'' Is Planned for 8 Games |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/11/until-dawn-developers-dark-pictures-anthology-is-planned-for-8-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711190142/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/11/until-dawn-developers-dark-pictures-anthology-is-planned-for-8-games |archive-date=11 July 2019 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadarPreview">{{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=Leon |date=27 May 2021 |title='Nothing Prepares You for the Monsters': ''House of Ashes'' Is Channeling Arnie and ''Aliens'' for Its ''Dark Pictures'' Threequel |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-third-game-preview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134429/https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-third-game-preview/ |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="VentureBeatNextGen">{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=28 May 2021 |title=The DeanBeat: Now the Next Generation Games Are Getting Closer |url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/28/next-generation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110142249/https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/28/next-generation/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

<ref name="UnrealEngineInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Samuels |first=Pete |title=How Supermassive Games Redefined Itself and Birthed ''The Dark Pictures Anthology'' |url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/how-supermassive-games-redefined-itself-and-birthed-the-dark-pictures-anthology |access-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020161459/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/developer-interviews/how-supermassive-games-redefined-itself-and-birthed-the-dark-pictures-anthology |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live |work=[[Unreal Engine]] |date=20 October 2021 |interviewer-first=Brian |interviewer-last=Crecente |interviewer-link=Brian Crecente}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerInterview">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=27 May 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Is a Frantic Underground Horror Set Beneath the Iraq War |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-27-house-of-ashes-is-a-frantic-underground-monster-horror |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611063508/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-27-house-of-ashes-is-a-frantic-underground-monster-horror |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Doyle |first=Will |title=''The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes''{{'}} New Monsters May Not Be the Only Threat |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8cNCy9SxI4&t=294s |access-date=6 January 2022 |publisher=IGN |date=26 August 2021 |quote='''Will Doyle''': We wanted to create something that is … a completely non-human creature, something that you can't really relate to. You know, it doesn't have a face that you can comprehend … doesn't feel sorry for you, doesn't think like you do. It just wants to kill you … When we were looking at the design of [the monsters] … we wanted something that was so inhuman [that] it would bring out the humanity in the characters … / '''Kim Horcher''': I mean, that's interesting as a uniting force … Going back to … the gameplay … this is the first ''Dark Pictures'' game to hit Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X. So, does the game take advantage of the new consoles? Are there any cool controller features, maybe? / '''Doyle''': We don't have controller features, but we do make sure that it looks as best as we can make it… |interviewer-last=Horcher |interviewer-first=Kim |via=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]]}}</ref>

<ref name="MoMandLHUpgrades">{{Cite web |last=Moyse |first=Chris |date=28 September 2022 |title=''Dark Pictures'' Shockers ''Man of Medan'' & ''Little Hope'' Get PS5/Xbox Upgrade |url=https://www.destructoid.com/dark-pictures-ps5-xbox-upgrade-man-of-medan-little-hope/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928150930/https://www.destructoid.com/dark-pictures-ps5-xbox-upgrade-man-of-medan-little-hope/ |archive-date=28 September 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022 |website=[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Social:Gamurs|Gamurs]]}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerTeaserTrailer">{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=19 May 2021 |title=Supermassive's Third ''Dark Pictures Anthology'' Horror ''House of Ashes'' Gets New Teaser Trailer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-19-third-dark-pictures-anthology-horror-outing-house-of-ashes-gets-new-teaser-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108131745/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-05-19-third-dark-pictures-anthology-horror-outing-house-of-ashes-gets-new-teaser-trailer |archive-date=8 January 2022 |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="ArtBlast">{{Cite magazine |last=Wade |first=Daniel |date=10 December 2021 |title=Supermassive Games ''House of Ashes'' Art Blast |url=https://magazine.artstation.com/2021/12/supermassive-games-house-of-ashes-art-blast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211160616/https://magazine.artstation.com/2021/12/supermassive-games-house-of-ashes-art-blast/ |archive-date=11 December 2021 |access-date=30 June 2023 |magazine=ArtStation Magazine |publisher=[[Company:Epic Games|Epic Games]]}}</ref>

<ref name="PCGamesNInterview">{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Gina |date=27 May 2021 |title=''House of Ashes''{{'}} Monsters Aren't Hallucinations This Time: 'These Things Are Real' |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/monsters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134429/https://www.pcgamesn.com/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/monsters |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N}}</ref>

<ref name="Polygon_LittleHopeEnding">{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=4 November 2020 |title=''Little Hope'' Commits the Cardinal Sin of Horror Games |url=https://www.polygon.com/pc/2020/11/4/21549532/little-hope-review-ending-explained-thoughts-dark-pictures-anthology |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616014830/https://www.polygon.com/pc/2020/11/4/21549532/little-hope-review-ending-explained-thoughts-dark-pictures-anthology |archive-date=16 June 2021 |access-date=4 February 2022 |website=Polygon |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="PolygonInterview">{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Cass |date=27 May 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'', the Next ''Dark Pictures'' Game, Addresses Fan Feedback |url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/5/27/22457344/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-supermassive-interview-preview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134430/https://www.polygon.com/2021/5/27/22457344/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-supermassive-interview-preview |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=Polygon |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<!-- DEVELOPMENT -->

<ref name="VGChartzReview">{{Cite web |last=Maki |first=Issa |date=1 November 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' (PS5) – Review |url=https://www.vgchartz.com/article/451302/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-ps5/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101181942/https://www.vgchartz.com/article/451302/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-ps5/ |archive-date=1 November 2021 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=VGChartz}}</ref>

<ref name="RedditAMA">{{Cite web |date=15 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': Ask Me Anything with Supermassive Games |url=https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/the-dark-pictures/news/house-of-ashes-ask-me-anything-supermassive-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021154313/https://en.bandainamcoent.eu/the-dark-pictures/news/house-of-ashes-ask-me-anything-supermassive-games |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=[[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Entertainment]] |publisher=Bandai Namco Holdings}}</ref>

<!-- CASTING THE LEAD -->

<ref name="Xbox_News2">{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Will |date=14 September 2021 |title=Ashley Tisdale to Play Hard-Bitten CIA Officer Rachel King in ''The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes'' |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/09/14/ashley-tisdale-in-the-dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106132305/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/09/14/ashley-tisdale-in-the-dark-pictures-house-of-ashes/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Xbox Wire |publisher=[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]}}</ref>

<ref name="ShackNewsPreview">{{Cite web |last=Erskine |first=Donovan |date=27 May 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Preview: What Lies Below |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/124590/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-preview-what-lies-below |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903145354/https://www.shacknews.com/article/124590/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-preview-what-lies-below |archive-date=3 September 2021 |access-date=21 January 2022 |website=Shacknews |publisher=Gamerhub}}</ref>

<ref name="GamingboltTisdale">{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=22 September 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Video Goes Behind the Scenes with Ashley Tisdale |url=https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-video-goes-behind-the-scenes-with-ashley-tisdale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020075746/https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-video-goes-behind-the-scenes-with-ashley-tisdale |archive-date=20 October 2021 |access-date=20 January 2022 |website=GamingBolt}}</ref>

<ref name="TisdaleOfficialInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Tisdale |first=Ashley |subject-link=Ashley Tisdale |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Interview with Ashley Tisdale Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nocKsAFrPew&t=71s |access-date=6 January 2022 |publisher=[[Company:Bandai Namco Entertainment|BANDAI NAMCO Europe]] |date=22 September 2021 |via=[[Company:YouTube|YouTube]] |time=1:11 and ends at 3:22 |time-caption=Relevant quote starts at}}</ref>

<!-- MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN -->

<ref name="GravesPushSquareInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Graves |first=Jason |subject-link=Jason Graves |title=Interview: Getting Frightened by ''The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope'' with Composer Jason Graves |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/03/interview_getting_frightened_by_the_dark_pictures_anthology_little_hope_with_composer_jason_graves |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108021808/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/03/interview_getting_frightened_by_the_dark_pictures_anthology_little_hope_with_composer_jason_graves |archive-date=8 January 2022 |url-status=live |work=Push Square |publisher=Hookshot Media |date=5 March 2021 |interviewer-last=Banas |interviewer-first=Graham}}</ref>

<ref name="GravesSpinInterview">{{Cite interview |last=Graves |first=Jason |title=''House of Ashes'' Composer Jason Graves Continues His Frightful Work on ''The Dark Pictures Anthology'' |url=https://www.spin.com/2021/11/house-ashes-jason-graves-interview/ |access-date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106073242/https://www.spin.com/2021/11/house-ashes-jason-graves-interview/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |url-status=live |work=Spin |date=3 November 2021 |interviewer-last=Chesler |interviewer-first=Josh}}</ref>

<ref name="PlayStationBlog">{{Cite web |last=Pratt |first=Barney |date=21 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' – Bringing the Sound of Horror to Life |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2021/10/21/house-of-ashes-bringing-the-sound-of-horror-to-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106073232/https://blog.playstation.com/2021/10/21/house-of-ashes-bringing-the-sound-of-horror-to-life/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=[[Engineering:PlayStation#PlayStation Blog|PlayStation Blog]] |publisher=[[Company:Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Interactive Entertainment]]}}</ref>

<!-- PRELUDE AND RELEASE -->

<ref name="EurogamerFirstTeaser">{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=31 October 2020 |title=Here's a Teaser for the Next ''The Dark Pictures Anthology'' Game |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-31-heres-a-teaser-for-the-next-the-dark-pictures-anthology-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110222/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-31-heres-a-teaser-for-the-next-the-dark-pictures-anthology-game |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNFirstTeaser">{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2 November 2020 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope''{{'}}s End Credits Reveal ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hopes-end-credits-reveal-house-of-ashes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102020750/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hopes-end-credits-reveal-house-of-ashes |archive-date=2 November 2020 |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

<ref name="VG247LittleHopeRelease">{{Cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=8 July 2020 |title=''The Dark Pictures: Little Hope'' Is Out on October 30 |url=https://www.vg247.com/the-dark-pictures-little-hope-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108100824/https://www.vg247.com/the-dark-pictures-little-hope-release-date |archive-date=8 January 2022 |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=VG247 |publisher=Gamer Network Limited}}</ref>

<ref name="GameInformerLittleHope">{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Kimberley |date=29 October 2020 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope'' Review – Inconsistent Magic |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hope/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hope-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122063948/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hope/the-dark-pictures-anthology-little-hope-review |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=22 January 2022 |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]] |magazine=Game Informer}}</ref>

<ref name="PCGamerTeaserTrailer">{{Cite web |last=Hetfield |first=Malindy |date=19 May 2021 |title=''Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Gets Another Teaser Trailer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-gets-another-teaser-trailer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106111721/https://www.pcgamer.com/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-gets-another-teaser-trailer/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="GameInformerTeaserTrailer">{{Cite magazine |last=Ruppert |first=Liana |date=19 May 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Drops Teaser Trailer Ahead of Full Reveal Next Week |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/19/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-drops-teaser-trailer-ahead-of-full-reveal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611134427/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/05/19/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-drops-teaser-trailer-ahead-of-full-reveal |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]]}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadarGameplayReveal">{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=28 May 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Gameplay Is 8 Minutes of Creepy Caves and Tough Choices |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-gameplay-is-8-minutes-of-creepy-caves-and-tough-choices/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122045937/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-gameplay-is-8-minutes-of-creepy-caves-and-tough-choices/ |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="WashingtonPostE3">{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Gene |date=15 June 2021 |title=''Elden Ring'' Already Revealed, Bandai Namco Dedicates E3 Showcase to ''House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/06/12/e3-live-stream-game-reveals/#link-DJE7ZG36XZDZNIS2OB6OEXAGBU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628172033/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/06/12/e3-live-stream-game-reveals/#link-DJE7ZG36XZDZNIS2OB6OEXAGBU |archive-date=28 June 2021 |access-date=8 January 2022 |newspaper={{wipe|The Washington Post}} |publisher=Nash Holdings}}</ref>

<ref name="GamespotE3">{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=10 June 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'', Next Game in ''Dark Pictures Anthology'', Coming October 22 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/house-of-ashes-next-game-in-dark-pictures-anthology-coming-october-22/1100-6492673/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110222/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/house-of-ashes-next-game-in-dark-pictures-anthology-coming-october-22/1100-6492673/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_Gamescom">{{Cite web |last=Henley |first=Stacey |date=25 August 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Reveals New Story Trailer at Gamescom |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-launch-date-october-22-story-trailer-gamescom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110220/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-launch-date-october-22-story-trailer-gamescom/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_HiddenLore">{{Cite web |last=Troughton |first=James |date=27 August 2021 |title=The ''House of Ashes'' Website Has Hidden Lore |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-house-of-ashes-website-arg/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110222/https://www.thegamer.com/the-house-of-ashes-website-arg/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerHiddenLore">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=26 August 2021 |title=''House of Ashes''{{'}} New Trailer Hides a Website Full of Lore |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-08-26-house-of-ashes-new-trailer-hides-a-website-full-of-lore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110225/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-08-26-house-of-ashes-new-trailer-hides-a-website-full-of-lore |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNPazuzuEdition">{{Cite web |last=Reed |first=Chris |date=19 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'': Here's What Comes in Each Edition |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-release-date-collectors-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027032648/https://www.ign.com/articles/dark-pictures-house-of-ashes-release-date-collectors-edition |archive-date=27 October 2021 |access-date=8 January 2022 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

<ref name="GamesRadarDemo">{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Rachel |date=3 September 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Mixes ''The Descent'' and ''The Exorcist'' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-mixes-the-descent-and-the-exorcist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122045935/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-mixes-the-descent-and-the-exorcist/ |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=GamesRadar+ |publisher=Future plc}}</ref>

<ref name="TheGamer_Demo">{{Cite web |last=Switzer |first=Eric |date=3 September 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Preview – Monsters of Mass Destruction |url=https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-preview-/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009101624/https://www.thegamer.com/house-of-ashes-preview-/ |archive-date=9 October 2021 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="GamingboltCharacterTrailer">{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=7 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: Houses of Ashes'' Trailer Introduces the Cast |url=https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-houses-of-ashes-trailer-introduces-the-cast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106132255/https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-houses-of-ashes-trailer-introduces-the-cast |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=GamingBolt}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNCharacterTrailer">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-character-introduction-trailer |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' – Character Introduction Trailer |date=7 October 2021 |type=Trailer |language=en |publisher=IGN |access-date=8 January 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerReleaseDate">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=11 June 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Arrives Just in Time for Halloween |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-11-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-arrives-just-in-time-for-halloween |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611092527/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-11-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-arrives-just-in-time-for-halloween |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="GamingboltReleaseDate">{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=22 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Is Out Now |url=https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-is-out-now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106110221/https://gamingbolt.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-is-out-now |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |website=GamingBolt}}</ref>

<!-- RECEPTION -->

<ref name="MetacriticPC">{{Cite web |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' PC Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128092741/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="MetacriticPS4">{{Cite web |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128092742/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="MetacriticXSXS">{{Cite web |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Xbox Series X Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128092742/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="MetacriticPS5">{{Cite web |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128092745/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |access-date=29 January 2024 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="DestructoidReview">{{Cite web |last=Devore |first=Jordan |date=21 October 2021 |title=Review: ''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021144258/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Social:Gamurs|Gamurs]]}}</ref>

<ref name="HardcoreGamerReview">{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=21 October 2021 |title=Review: ''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/413019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021142037/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/413019/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNEnglishReview">{{Cite web |last=Frech |first=Ricky |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021141618/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

<ref name="PushSquareReview">{{Cite web |last=McCormick |first=John Cal |date=25 October 2021 |title=Mini Review: ''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' (PS5){{spaced en dash}} the Best Game in the Series So Far |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025182042/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes |archive-date=25 October 2021 |access-date=25 October 2021 |website=Push Square |publisher=Hookshot Media}}</ref>

<ref name="MetacriticAll">{{Cite web |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120175730/https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |archive-date=20 January 2024 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="EmpireReview">{{Cite magazine |last=Kamen |first=Matt |date=25 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' Review |url=https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026065551/https://www.empireonline.com/gaming/reviews/dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes/ |archive-date=26 October 2021 |access-date=20 January 2024 |magazine=Empire |publisher=Bauer Media Group}}</ref>

<ref name="RockPaperShotgunReview">{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=21 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House Of Ashes'' Review: Very Nearly a Fun Horror Romp |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225115829/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-dark-pictures-anthology-house-of-ashes-review |archive-date=25 February 2022 |access-date=25 February 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="EdgeReview">{{Cite magazine |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2022 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future US |page=119 |issue=366}}</ref>

<ref name="GamingboltReplay">{{Cite web |last=Usaid |date=22 May 2023 |title=15 Single Player Games with High Replay Value |url=https://gamingbolt.com/15-single-player-games-with-high-replay-value/11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120081743/https://gamingbolt.com/15-single-player-games-with-high-replay-value/11 |archive-date=20 January 2024 |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=GamingBolt}}</ref>

<ref name="BloodyDisgustingReview">{{Cite web |last=Mucci |first=Gregory T. |date=27 October 2021 |title=[Review] ''The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes'' Freshens the Formula with a Pleasing Slice of Action-Led Horror |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3689220/review-dark-pictures-house-ashes-freshens-formula-pleasing-slice-action-led-horror/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027185720/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3689220/review-dark-pictures-house-ashes-freshens-formula-pleasing-slice-action-led-horror/ |archive-date=27 October 2021 |access-date=21 January 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting |publisher=Cinedigm}}</ref>

<ref name="AVClubCommentary">{{Cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=William |last2=McLevy |first2=Alex |date=29 October 2021 |title=''House of Ashes'' Treats Post-9/11 Iraq like Just Another B-Movie Haunted House |url=https://www.avclub.com/house-of-ashes-treats-post-9-11-iraq-like-just-another-1847942049 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029050327/https://www.avclub.com/house-of-ashes-treats-post-9-11-iraq-like-just-another-1847942049 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=The A.V. Club |publisher=G/O Media}}</ref>

<ref name="PlayReview">{{Cite magazine |last=Kinghorn |first=Jess |date=Christmas 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes'' |magazine=Play |publisher=Future plc |page=86-87 |issue=8}}</ref>

<!-- SALES -->

<ref name="DebutSales">{{Cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=25 October 2021 |title=''FIFA 22'' Holds No.1 and ''Resident Evil Village'' Sales Jump 227% |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-25-fifa-22-holds-no-1-and-resident-evil-village-sales-jump-227-percent-uk-boxed-charts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219080116/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-25-fifa-22-holds-no-1-and-resident-evil-village-sales-jump-227-percent-uk-boxed-charts |archive-date=19 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="SecondWeekSales">{{Cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=1 November 2021 |title=''Guardians of the Galaxy'' and ''Mario Party'' Can't Defeat ''FIFA'' |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-01-guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-mario-party-cant-defeat-fifa-uk-boxed-charts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108002508/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-01-guardians-of-the-galaxy-and-mario-party-cant-defeat-fifa-uk-boxed-charts |archive-date=8 November 2021 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="OctoberMonthlyCharts">{{Cite web |last=Dring |first=Christopher |date=10 November 2021 |title=Nintendo Switch Back at No.1 After OLED Launch |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-10-nintendo-switch-back-at-no-1-after-oled-launch-uk-monthly-charts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219080118/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-10-nintendo-switch-back-at-no-1-after-oled-launch-uk-monthly-charts |archive-date=19 February 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<!-- ACCOLADES -->

<ref name="TheGamer_GamescomAwards">{{Cite web |last=Dastoor |first=Vaspaan |date=23 August 2021 |title=Gamescom 2021 Award Nominees List Includes ''Elden Ring'' |url=https://www.thegamer.com/gamescom-2021-award-nominees-elden-ring/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122141555/https://www.thegamer.com/gamescom-2021-award-nominees-elden-ring/ |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc.}}</ref>

<ref name="GamescomAwards2021">{{Cite web |title=Gamescom Award: The Award for the Best Games of the Year |url=https://www.gamescom.global/the-gamescom/gamescom-award/gamescom-award-2021/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827150727/https://www.gamescom.global/the-gamescom/gamescom-award/ |archive-date=27 August 2021 |access-date=7 January 2022 |website=Gamescom}}</ref>

<ref name="NAVGTRAwards2021">{{Cite web |title=The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Announces Nominees for the 21st Annual NAVGTR Awards |url=https://navgtr.org/2021-nominees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119112451/https://navgtr.org/2021-nominees/ |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers}}</ref>

<!-- SEQUEL -->

<ref name="GamespotDevilInMe">{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=21 October 2021 |title=The Next ''Dark Pictures Anthology'' Game Has Been Revealed |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-next-dark-pictures-anthology-game-has-been-revealed/1100-6497283/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021202245/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-next-dark-pictures-anthology-game-has-been-revealed/1100-6497283/ |archive-date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures}}</ref>

<ref name="IGNDevilInMeTeaser">{{Cite web |last=Purslow |first=Matt |date=25 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures'' Season One Finale, ''The Devil in Me'', Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dark-pictures-the-devil-in-me-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025124343/https://www.ign.com/articles/dark-pictures-the-devil-in-me-announced |archive-date=25 October 2021 |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

<ref name="EurogamerDevilInMe">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=24 October 2021 |title=''The Dark Pictures The Devil in Me'' Looks to Be Decidedly Less Supernatural than Prior Instalments |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-24-the-dark-pictures-the-devil-in-me-looks-to-be-decidedly-less-supernatural-that-prior-instalments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114020708/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-24-the-dark-pictures-the-devil-in-me-looks-to-be-decidedly-less-supernatural-that-prior-instalments |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=14 January 2022 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}</ref>

<ref name="PolygonDevilInMe">{{Cite web |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=29 October 2021 |title=The Newest ''Dark Pictures'' Game Will Take Place in a Serial Killer Mansion |url=https://www.polygon.com/22752451/dark-pictures-anthology-devil-in-me-trailer-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114020709/https://www.polygon.com/22752451/dark-pictures-anthology-devil-in-me-trailer-release-date |archive-date=14 January 2022 |access-date=14 January 2022 |website=Polygon |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]}}</ref>

<ref name="TDiMReleaseDate">{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=24 August 2022 |title=''The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me'' Arrives This November |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-devil-in-me-release-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824155740/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-dark-pictures-devil-in-me-release-date |archive-date=24 August 2022 |access-date=16 March 2023 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|13368198}}
* {{MobyGames|/174147}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark Pictures Anthology House of Ashes, The}}
[[Category:Interactive movie video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes}}