Xbox Game Pass Horror Game Gets Big Halloween Update

Amnesia: The Bunker has been treated to a massive update that adds several major features to the game, on top of introducing dozens of smaller improvements. This release hence makes the selection of horror titles on Xbox Game Pass even more compelling just in time for Halloween.

Studio Frictional Games has been sharing tidbits about the newest Amnesia: The Bunker update since early September. The biggest novelty introduced in the patch arrives in the form of the Shell Shock mode, which is how the developers are calling the game's harshest difficulty level to date.

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By  Rory Young

The Swedish studio announced that the latest update for the fourth Amnesia game is available for download as of October 25. Although the included Shell Shock mode is clearly catering to players craving the ultimate challenge, the new patch simultaneously makes the game more accessible thanks to the addition of Custom difficulty. Much like its name suggests, this feature will provide players with granular controls for the overall level of challenge posed by the game. The Custom mode can hence replicate the Shell Shock experience, as well as facilitate the process of beating Amnesia: The Bunker by making it easier.

One notable caveat is that both the Shell Shock and Custom modes are part of Amnesia: The Bunker's New Game Plus offerings, thus requiring players to play through the original version of the story at least once. Alternatively, the developers also implemented a cheat that allows anyone to access both Halloween additions to the game immediately. Doing so is as simple as selecting the New Game option on the main menu, and then holding any key or button except for the one that returns to the previous screen for ten seconds. This will trigger an "Unlock New Game+" prompt immediately above the Continue button in the bottom-left corner of the display.

The Halloween update also introduces a new map called Training Grounds. The level will be accessible from the main menu after beating the game once. Finally, the patch includes over 70 gameplay improvements and bug fixes, as revealed by its official changelog.

While it's possible that this massive Halloween update isn't the final major post-release addition to Amnesia: The Bunker, the game itself might be Frictional's last pure survival horror experience in the foreseeable future. Namely, the Amnesia developer recently revealed plans to move away from horror games, citing a desire to diversify and directly compete with AAA developers as the main reason for that move.

Amnesia: The Bunker Halloween Update Patch Notes

General

• Added two new game modes, Shell Shock Mode and Custom Mode. They include the following new features:
  • New Stalker behaviors that increases unpredictability
  • A sublevel fuse system
  • Hardcore version of the health system
  • Randomized corpses and dog tags
  • Randomized locker locations
  • Revolver located in one of the lockers and not available from start
  • Reduced safe room
  • Fuel Storage door locked with a code lock
  • Game not paused while in inventory
  • New achievements for completing the game on the new game modes
  • New save systems (saving costs fuel, no saving)
  • Over 30+ settings to tailor your gameplay experience to your liking

• Added the Training Grounds, a new map accessible from the main menu after completing the game once.
• Added support for 120 FPS on PC.

Gameplay Improvements

• Improved resource and prop randomization.
• Enhanced the challenge of the Shotgunner encounter.
• Randomized the Shotgunner’s starting position on consecutive playthroughs.
• Wooden containers like crates and barrels can now spawn random resources when broken.
• Added a dog tag by the corpse in the cell in the Prison.
• The rats in the Hub are now active from the start on consecutive playthroughs.
• Traps in the Hub are now randomized on consecutive playthroughs.
• Removed the scripted rat trap event in Maintenance on consecutive playthroughs.
• Disabled player fall damage.
• Increased crawling speed when injured.
• Increased gas damage on Hard Mode.

Misc Fixes

• Fixed a bug where save slots could disappear.
• Added a Particle Quality setting that affects flare, gas, fire, and grenade entities/particles.
• Fixed an issue where the player could get stuck behind the generator.
• Fixed an issue where the torch was missing a flame on certain platforms.
• Fixed an issue where you could get locked inside the charge lantern state when moving between maps.
• Fixed an issue where the player’s hands could become misaligned after a cutscene animation played.
• The item highlight effect now works properly on meat items.
• Fixed an issue with player blood trails not spawning properly.
• Fixed an issue where the gun cylinder rotation would be incorrect.
• Fixed an issue where a hint on how to use fuel would appear when it shouldn’t.
• Resolved an issue where an item held in your right hand would move across the screen after charging the lantern.
• When disarming traps, the camera no longer rotates to random spots.
• Fixed missing letters in some names in the end credits.
• Fixed a culling issue inside the Warden’s Office in Prison.
• Reduced the Stalker’s collider size when inside the hurt state, to prevent it from blocking the player’s path.
• The moon should no longer be missing in No Man’s Land on some platforms.
• Fixed some instances of floating pickup items.
• Fixed a culling issue in the corridor outside the Break Room in Soldier Quarters.
• Fixed a hole in the geometry in Maintenance.
• Jumping up on the table in Administration no longer causes the room’s props to disappear.
• Resolved an issue where the left hand had a strange pose when certain items were equipped.
• The lighter animations have been properly synchronized when using a fuel bomb or a torch.
• The painting tripod in Delisle’s room now has proper collision.
• The big crates in Tunnels now use the correct texture.
• Fixed the strange-looking billboard by the sign leading into the Officer Quarters.
• Fixed a few instances where the Stalker could get stuck.
• Activating a root power switch now retains its state when leaving and returning to a map.
• Added a message when trying to use a medkit and bandage when your health is full.
• Fixed a rendering issue with the wood shot impact particles.
• The large wooden crate with rope handles can now be broken properly.
• Grenade explosions can now affect more entities.
• Fixed an issue where the crate blocking access to the Tunnels could get stuck.
• Removed an invisible obstacle when entering the Arena.
• Improved the Stalker’s animation when grabbing the player on the ladder.
• Improved the lockbox texture. They should now be easier to spot.
• Fixed an issue where the Stalker could start stalking the player from inside the holes before it should be able to do so.
• Equipping a fuel canister from the inventory no longer causes it to appear in the middle of the screen for a frame.
• Fixed an issue where shotgun ammo in the inventory didn’t register when trying to load the shotgun.
• Fixed a couple of issues where text would be rendered outside of the screen on certain aspect ratios.
• Fixed inconsistent behavior when breaking smaller crates.
• Large crates and wooden doors can no longer be broken with the revolver.

• Added a “Randomize”-button to the custom settings screen.
• Ensured rats only gather around activated corpses.
• Fixed an issue where the lantern would be unequipped when charging.
• Fixed an issue where rats could fall through the floor in certain locations.
• Sorted out some inventory and menu issues on certain aspect ratios.
• Fixed an issue where a duplicate medkit or bandage would appear when using a health item.
• Improved navigating the custom settings screen with a controller.
• Fixed some smaller bugs related to the Stalker’s behavior when moving between maps.
• Fixed an issue where a dog tag would disappear from one of the corpses in the cells in the Prison.
• Made sure the torch has proper visual effects.
• Fixed clipping issue when applying health items while crawling.
• Fixed an issue where the audio would stutter.
• Made sure the “Time Between Saves” stat works as it should.
• Fixed an issue where the Stalker could pull the player into a hole when it shouldn’t be able to.

Amnesia: The Bunker is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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