Tormented Souls 2 Review – A Revival of Survival Horror with Grit, Brains & Shadows
There is something strangely comforting about the silence before a scare. You can almost feel the hum of old lights, the creak of forgotten doors and your own heartbeat — that is exactly where Tormented Souls 2 plops you.
The follow-up to 2021’s surprise survival horror hit — you can read our SoS2 review right here! — is finally here, and it’s every bit as creepy, twisted and atmospheric as fans could have hoped. And once again, Caroline Walker returns — older now, haunted and hellbent on confronting her own demons while seeking answers in the grim mountain town of Villa Hess.
From Dual Effect and PQube, released in October 2025 Tormented Souls 2 is a love letter to classic horror – but written with modern precision and confidence. This is not just nostalgia; it’s a daring embrace of fixed-camera terror, labyrinthine puzzles and the heavy dread only genuine survival horror can provide.
In this deep dive, I’ll explain how the game improves upon the original, where it falls short while doing so, what makes it stand out against modern horror titles like Resident Evil 7 and here’s my personal thoughts on whether or not Death Mark deserves a spot among modern greats in that category of games.
Get your flashlight ready — we are about to enter uncomfortably dark territory.
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Developer & Release Info
Tormented Souls 2 As announced on September 12, Tormented Souls 2 has arrived from Dual Effect and published PQube for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG) as well as consoles including PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Chilean indie studio behind the original game, Dual Effect, received international recognition for having resurrected fixed-camera survival horror in a world full of open-world and first-person action games. In its sequel, they’re shooting for more: better lighting, richer cinematics and broader world design while still capturing the pure, chilling tension that the original was known for.
As per PQube’s FAQ, Tormented Souls 2 targets 60 FPS on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC while the Series S and Steam Deck versions are locked to running at 30 FPS for stability.
Story & Setting: Shadows of Villa Hess
The sequel unfolds years after the events of the first game. The tortured protagonist, Caroline Walker, is attempting to make a fresh start with her sister Anna. But you can never enjoy a moment of peace in horror — Anna starts experiencing visions and grotesque pencil drawings that seep into reality.
Cárdenas has determined to save her, travels to Villa Hess in remote mountainous Chile, where a crumbling clinic and an ancient convent share real estate — the sort of place where faith intersects with fear.
Here, reality fractures again. Amidst flickering candlelight and long, rain-soaked nights, Caroline will confront the monsters she’s given life. As if that weren’t enough, the return of the mirror world mechanic ramps up further psychological tension — entering and leaving dimensions is just as stressful as it ever was.
❝Tormented Souls II isn’t just survival horror—it’s a haunting return to classic terror, where every shadow hides a secret and every heartbeat counts.
Gameplay Mechanics & Comparisons (Sequel vs. Original)
What Worked Before
The first Tormented Souls gained cult love for resurrecting tank controls, fixed cameras and limited supplies a la Resident Evil 1–3, Silent Hill 2. Fans lauded its favoring of tension over jump scares.
“The lighting is phenomenal, and the gameplay is a perfect 1:1 of classic survival horror,” one Redditor wrote — and they weren’t wrong.
What’s New This Time
- Revamped lighting & cinematics — POM now accurately displays rim lighting, improved character models. full facial animation, updated textures, and more.
- Greater exploration — The clinic / convent of Villa Hess is a set of interconnected areas that call back to the Police Station in Resident Evil
- New puzzle mechanics- over 70 new and increasingly complex puzzles enhance spectrum's coming of age.
- More refined combat — aiming and shooting still feels precise, but weapon handling is more polished.
- Optional accessibility settings — you can do minor adjustments to camera movement and aim assist without shattering the “retro” illusion.
- Several possible endings — two primary ones and a secret one flashed by the devs.
The control-style is semi-classic – you do have free movement, but during combat Caroline can’t strafe and aim so when firing, it’s a case of making the shot count. This choice maintains the tension that old-school survival horrors subsisted on.
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Graphics & Atmosphere
Where Tormented Souls 2 really shines (or flickers) is in its lighting. Each hallway is a piece of art in motion — dripping with dread and dilapidated elegance. The interplay of warm candlelight and cold surgical fluorescence creates an evergreen gothic look.
Character models are clearer, facial animations more fluid and the camera work has a more cinematic feel. But even in the face of technical upgrades, the developers showed restraint, not overexposing or modernizing too much. The game still feels personal — the dark corners matter anew.
The sound design is equally stellar: low echoing footsteps and distorted whispers and strings that screech at just the right moment. Play with the headphones on and get ready for goosebumps.
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System Requirements
Minimum (1080p, Low Settings)
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 3
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 35 GB
Recommended (1440p, 60 FPS)
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel i7 / Ryzen 5 5600
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 / AMD RX 6700 XT
- RAM: 16 GB
- SSD Required
High/4K Settings (60 FPS)
- CPU: Ryzen 7 5800X / Intel i7-12700K
- GPU: RTX 4070 / RX 7900 XT
- RAM: 16–32 GB
- SSD: Mandatory
My Opinion & Predictions
I’ve played its fair share of survival horror to know when something nails that element. Tormented Souls 2 does. It’s unapologetically retro but modern in execution — about if the year were 2025 and Capcom had made Resident Evil Code Veronica.
Dual Effect isn’t just after trends, it’s in pursuit of being real. And that’s why this series is special.
If they keep polishing up performance and story telling, though, Traumatized Spirits 2 could be an instant cult classic and a blueprint for indie horror devs who yearn to respect the past while risking the now.
- Metacritic: ~80 average (based on community buzz and critical previews).
- Best Platform: PC and PS5 for graphical fidelity and fluidity.
- DLC Likelihood: High — PQube teased on some additional story or costume content closer to Halloween 2026.
Community Reactions to Tormented Souls 2
What Players Are Loving
“The demo was great otherwise.”
Many mention the demo left them optimistic about the full game.
“Hyped beyond belief. It’s not often we get sequels to these kinda games…”
Enthusiasm is high among fans of classic survival horror, happy to see the genre pressed forward.
“Tormented Souls 2 is a step up from its predecessor in every way for me.”
This captures a widespread sentiment: players who liked the first game say the sequel improves on major fronts (graphics, environment, pacing).
🤔 Points of Concern / Mixed Feelings
“Having finally finished Tormented Souls 2, my biggest takeaway is… I must be the dumbest…”
Some players feel the puzzles may hit a steep curve, possibly frustrating for newcomers.
“So far my only concern with the game is (no spoilers)”
One user expresses a sense of cautious optimism: liking what they see, but noting something is off (unspecified).
“Excited for the game but one thing in the demo bugs me… It’s her hair! … Should be easy to fix (at least outside of the pre-rendered cutscenes).”
A small detail, but shows how attentiveness in the community can pick up even minor visual issues.
FAQs
Q: Does Tormented Souls 2 have anything to do with the first game?
A: Yes. Caroline Walker’s tale is ongoing, but new folks can still get into it cold — the intro offers a decent recap.
Q: How long is the game?
A: It takes depending on how fast you solve the puzzle and explore around 15-20 hours.
Q: Are there multiple endings?
A: Yes two main endings plus one secret unlockable ending.
Q: What is the difference between it and the Remake of Resident Evil 4 or Silent Hill 2?
A: Tormented Souls 2 is keeping the fixed-camera horror genre alive—slower, more methodical, placing fears in restriction of control rather than cinematic spectacle.
Q: Are you planning on post-launch updates or DLC?
A: PQube teased some post-launch patches and maybe free DLC coming later in 2026.
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