Total Chaos Review: Silent Horror, Frantic Action

Few survival horror games have a backstory as unique as Total Chaos. Starting out as a Doom II total conversion mod by Sam Prebble, it gradually evolved into a viral demo that hooked horror fans with its tense atmosphere and ambitious design. The demo’s success showed this was more than just nostalgia—it was horror brought to life in a whole new way.

Developed and published by Apogee Entertainment and Infogrames, Total Chaos was released on Dec 1, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Steam, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Trapped in One’s Mind

Coveted by Akira Yamaoka’s soundscapes of industrial dread, ambient unease, and mournful tones, every corridor and encounter bears a psychological weight. Much like Silent Hill 2, the music here doesn’t just accompany gameplay; it defines the emotional rhythm of the campaign.

In Total Chaos, you play as Tyler Scott, a man trapped inside his own head after being diagnosed with cancer and depression, both of which cripple his mind and body, forcing him to navigate a decaying industrial nightmare, piecing together fragments of a ruined society while battling both external horrors and internal fears.

Themes of isolation, decay, and survival permeate the campaign, which unfolds as a slow descent into madness. Narrative exposition is sparse, relying instead on atmosphere and environmental storytelling—a design choice reminiscent of Resident Evil 7’s claustrophobic dread.

Though its sparse narrative can make it a bit tricky to follow, the way it delivers most of its story through gameplay is a rare and refreshing approach in today’s games.

Let The Suffering Begin

Gameplay mechanics reinforce the survival horror ethos. Melee combat is tense and deliberate, demanding precision with improvised weapons, while ranged combat offers relief but is limited by scarce ammunition. Enemies are grotesque mutations, unpredictable in behavior and unsettling in design.

Level design is claustrophobic and labyrinthine, ranging from factories to desolate urban ruins, rewarding exploration with hidden supplies and lore fragments. The inventory system is restrictive by design, forcing tough choices between weapons, healing items, and crafting materials. A modest upgrade system allows incremental improvements to stamina, weapon durability, and resource efficiency, adding depth without undermining tension.

Where Total Chaos shines is in its atmosphere and sound design, bolstered by Yamaoka’s score and meticulous environmental detail. The campaign feels cohesive and thematically rich, offering a horror experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Yet, rough edges remain. Combat mechanics can feel clunky, particularly melee hit detection, while enemy AI occasionally breaks immersion with erratic behavior. Inventory restrictions, though thematically appropriate, may frustrate players seeking smoother pacing. Given its level design, it can also be really frustrating to navigate.

Painting One’s Mind

Visually, Total Chaos might fall short compared to top-tier horror experiences like Silent Hill, with graphics reminiscent of the early to mid-PS3 era minus the infamous yellow tint, aka the piss filter. However, its art style carries a strong sense of nostalgia, evoking the golden age of horror when classics like Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil 4 defined the genre.

Thanks to the nostalgic, low-taxing visuals, performance is incredibly smooth. My RTX 5070 barely used a third of its power to run the game at max settings in 1440p. It feels like having the silky control of Counter-Strike, but being stuck in the claustrophobic spaces of Resident Evil and the underground facilities of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Old-school gamers will feel right at home with this one.

Real Talk

Total Chaos is a gripping survival horror that plays like Doom but feels like the offspring of Silent Hill’s eerie landscapes and Resident Evil’s tense, confined settings. Its ability to tell most of its roughly 20-hour story mostly through gameplay alone is a rare feat, especially given its modest price tag. It’s easily one of the most unique experiences that 2025 has to offer.

FINAL SCORE: 80/100