Now available on PlayStation Plus for July, Bendy and the Dark Revival is getting fresh attention from subscribers, making it the perfect time to evaluate whether this cult-followed sequel is truly worth diving into—or drowning in.
A Return to the Ink-Filled Studio
Bendy and the Dark Revival begins with Audrey, a studio worker, stepping out for coffee. Wilson, a coworker, stops her in the elevator and leads her to the ink machine. After Audrey activates the machine by collecting six artifacts, Wilson seals the room and fills it with ink. She blacks out and wakes up in a distorted world made of ink and twisted cartoon logic.
Wilson speaks through intercoms, claiming he destroyed the Ink Demon. He urges the studio’s inhabitants to capture Audrey. As she explores, she begins to suspect that the Ink Demon may still be alive. The game follows a chapter-based structure, where players solve puzzles, fight enemies, and unlock upgrades to their weapon—the Gen Pipe. Players can also improve Audrey’s health, stamina, and ability meter throughout the journey.
Abilities like Banish, Flow, and Fast Travel become available as you progress. These powers support stealth takedowns, short-range teleportation, and area navigation. While not all abilities see heavy use, they offer variety and help solve specific puzzles.
Puzzles, Characters, and Story Are the Standouts
The puzzles in Dark Revival are clever and engaging. One sequence involves gathering clues from prisoners while strapped to an electric chair. Mistakes result in death. These moments raise tension and make successes feel satisfying. Although some puzzles can stump players, they typically stem from user error rather than poor design.
Characters feel expressive and purposeful. Mini Bendy is a highlight—adorable, helpful, and surprisingly emotional. Supporting characters like Allison, Betty, and Tom enhance the narrative and offer key assistance. Players will also recognize Henry from the original game, along with surprising cameos and new faces.
The visual design takes a significant step forward from the original. Locations like the city in Chapter 4 are especially striking. These areas create a strong sense of atmosphere, often prompting players to stop and observe their surroundings.
Combat and Technical Issues Drag It Down
Combat remains simplistic. Most encounters involve swinging the Gen Pipe and dodging attacks. The game introduces abilities to freshen up the formula, but enemy variety is lacking. Boss fights feel underwhelming despite strong setups. Navigation can also become confusing, especially later in the game when the objective marker disappears.
The biggest problems stem from technical issues. Frame drops occur frequently, especially when entering new areas. Certain animations look unfinished, particularly during major story moments. These lapses weaken the impact of the game’s most dramatic scenes.
Bugs also interrupt the experience. Enemies sometimes freeze in place, and it’s easy to fall through parts of the map. In one case, Audrey spawned inside a locked room after dying—before unlocking the door. With no way out, the player had to restart the game entirely due to a lack of manual saves. Glitches like this break immersion and create unnecessary frustration.
A Flawed Yet Memorable Horror Adventure
Despite its rough edges, Bendy and the Dark Revival succeeds where it matters. The story is emotional and expansive. Puzzles are satisfying. Characters are easy to connect with or loathe, and several moments stand out as genuinely intense or touching.
The game struggles with polish and consistency. Combat needs more depth, and the world design can lead to confusion. Several mechanics feel underused. However, these flaws are mostly fixable. With additional patches, the developers could smooth out the worst issues and deliver a more complete version.
For anyone with a PS Plus subscription, this is an easy recommendation. Expect hiccups, but also expect a story that sticks with you long after the ink dries.
