Exactly how many chapters are in The Evil Within 2 and how long it takes to beat them

Look, if you’re staring at the save screen in Union wondering if you’re almost done or just getting started, I get it. The pacing in this game is a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute you’re stuck in a massive open-hub area scavenging for weapon parts, and the next you’re being funneled through a linear nightmare that feels like it’s never going to end. It’s a weird sequel. Unlike the first game, which was basically a series of disconnected hallways and arenas, this one breathes. But that breath can make it hard to track your progress.

So, let's get the number out of the way immediately. The Evil Within 2 has 17 chapters. That sounds like a lot, right? Well, yes and no. Some of these chapters are meaty, hour-long explorations of a crumbling town. Others are basically just a long cutscene and a boss fight that you can breeze through in fifteen minutes if you’ve got the ammo. Knowing how many chapters are in The Evil Within 2 is only half the battle; the real trick is knowing which ones are going to eat up your entire evening.

Breaking down the 17 chapters of Sebastian's nightmare

The game starts off slow. Really slow. Chapter 1, "Into the Flame," is basically a playable cinematic. You’re just walking through memories and watching things burn. It sets the mood, sure, but it’s not really "gameplay" in the traditional sense. You don’t even get a gun until Chapter 2, "Something Not Quite Right." This is where Tango Gameworks starts to show their hand, blending that classic Shinji Mikami survival horror vibe with something a bit more modern.

💡 You might also like: Why Pokemon X and Y Adventures is the Manga Version Kalos Actually Deserved

By the time you hit Chapter 3, "Resonances," the game opens up. This is the first big hub area in Residential Area of Union. Honestly, this is where most people get "stuck," and I don’t mean because it’s hard. I mean because you’ll spend four hours poking around every garage and diner looking for shotgun shells. If you’re a completionist, Chapter 3 is a massive time sink. If you’re just rushing the story, it’s a quick jog.

The middle of the game—let's say Chapters 5 through 9—shifts the focus toward the first major antagonist, Stefano Valentini. These chapters feel the most like the original game. They’re artistic, creepy, and heavily scripted. You’ll move through "The Lurking Beyond" and "The Premiere" with a sense of dread that the more open-world sections lack.

Then everything changes again.

Once you hit Chapter 11, "Reconnecting," the narrative stakes ramp up. You’re dealing with Father Theodore and the fallout of Sebastian’s own guilt. The final stretch, from Chapter 13 through Chapter 17, is essentially a gauntlet. The game stops letting you wander around as much and starts shoving you toward the finish line. Chapter 17, "A Way Out," is the emotional payoff. It’s shorter than you’d expect, but it hits hard.

📖 Related: McDonald's Pokemon Gold Cards: What Most People Get Wrong About These 1999 Relics

How long does it actually take to beat?

I’ve played this through on Survival and Nightmare, and the time difference is staggering. If you’re playing on Casual just for the story, you can probably wrap the whole thing up in about 12 to 14 hours. You'll skip the side quests, ignore the mysterious "Anima" ghost lady (don't do that, her missions are the best part), and just bee-line for the objective markers.

But that’s not really how this game is meant to be played.

For most players, a standard run takes about 18 to 22 hours. This accounts for doing a few side missions, like helping out Sykes or exploring the Pit. If you’re going for 100% completion—finding every file, every locker key, and every coffee maker—you’re looking at 30+ hours. The difficulty level changes this too. On Nightmare, you’re crawling. You’re sneaking. You’re dying. You’re reloading saves because you wasted two sniper rounds on a Lost that you should have just knifed. That adds hours to the clock that aren’t reflected in the chapter count.

Why the chapter count can be misleading

Some people see "17 chapters" and think it’s a much longer game than the first The Evil Within, which had 15. In reality, they’re about the same length. The sequel just breaks the story into smaller chunks.

Take Chapter 12, "Bottomless Pit." It’s incredibly atmospheric and vital for the story, but it’s mostly a linear path with specific encounters. Compare that to Chapter 3 or Chapter 13 ("In the Ashes"), which are wide-open zones. The game is front-heavy. The first half feels expansive, while the second half feels like a frantic sprint. This is a common complaint in survival horror—the feeling that the developers ran out of steam or just wanted to push the player toward the climax. Personally, I think the tighter pacing at the end works. By Chapter 14, I was ready to stop scavenging and start finishing things.

Side content that isn't counted in chapters

There are things you can miss that feel like entire chapters but aren't listed as such. The "Anima" events are the best example. These are optional encounters where a terrifying, singing spirit stalks Sebastian through a blue-tinted reality. They are genuinely the scariest parts of the game. If you ignore these, you’re missing out on some of the best level design Tango Gameworks ever produced, and you’ll finish the game much faster.

You also have the "The Marrow," which acts as a sort of hub between hubs. Navigating these tunnels can take a while, especially when the gas starts leaking or the Reborn creatures start hunting you. It’s easy to lose track of which chapter you’re even in when you’re down there in the dark.

Comparing the difficulty spikes

If you're worried about the chapter count because you're struggling with the difficulty, keep in mind that Chapter 5 and Chapter 11 are the biggest hurdles for most. Chapter 5 features the boss fight against Obscura—the camera-headed monstrosity. It’s a skill check. If you haven’t upgraded your stamina or your handgun accuracy by then, you’re going to have a rough time.

Chapter 14 is another one. It’s a gauntlet of bosses from the first game. It’s a trip down memory lane that will absolutely drain your resource pool if you aren't careful. People often ask about the chapter count because they want to know how much more "pain" they have to endure. If you can make it past Chapter 14, you’ve basically won. The final three chapters are much more focused on narrative closure than grueling combat.

The Full Chapter List for Reference

1. Into the Flame
2. Something Not Quite Right
3. Resonances
4. From the Other Side
5. Lying in Wait
6. On the Hunt
7. The Premiere
8. Premiere
9. Another Evil
10. Hidden from the Start
11. Reconnecting
12. Bottomless Pit
13. Into the Ashes
14. Burning the Altar
15. The End of This World
16. In Limbo
17. A Way Out

Making the most of your playthrough

To get the most out of these 17 chapters, you have to engage with the crafting system. Don't just run. If you find yourself in Chapter 3 and you haven't found the Warden Crossbow yet, go back. Seriously. That weapon is the only thing that makes certain later chapters manageable.

✨ Don't miss: Installing OptiFine 1.21: What Most People Get Wrong

Also, talk to O'Neal. Talk to Torres. The game tries to build a supporting cast this time around, which is a departure from the isolation of the first game. It makes the world feel more like a place worth saving, rather than just a series of rooms to escape.

Honestly, The Evil Within 2 is one of those rare sequels that improves on almost every mechanical aspect of its predecessor while losing a little bit of that "raw" grindhouse horror. The structure reflects that. It's more polished, more organized, and arguably more rewarding for the average player. Whether you’re trying to speedrun it or soak in every drop of blood, knowing that there are 17 chapters gives you a good roadmap of the journey ahead.

Actionable Next Steps

If you are currently playing or planning to start, here is how you should handle the chapter structure:

• Manual Save Often: The game uses an auto-save system, but it can be unforgiving. Before leaving a hub area like in Chapter 3 or Chapter 13, make a hard manual save in a separate slot. You might realize you missed a crucial weapon upgrade and want to go back.
• Prioritize the Crossbow: Find the Warden Crossbow in Chapter 3. It is located near a crashed APC. Without it, the stealth and crowd control in Chapters 5-10 becomes significantly more difficult.
• Invest in Stamina: Regardless of your playstyle, upgrade Sebastian’s stamina first. Being able to run for three extra seconds is the difference between life and death in the later, more linear chapters.
• Complete the Sykes Side Quests: You’ll encounter an operative named Sykes in Chapter 6. Complete his missions. Not only do they provide great lore, but they also unlock the Silenced Handgun, which is arguably the best tool for conserving ammo in the mid-to-late game.
• Watch the Slides: Whenever you find a film slide, go back to the Detective Office and watch it with Kidman. It provides context for Sebastian's past and actually rewards you with Green Gel, which is essential for surviving the final gauntlet in Chapters 14 through 16.

By the time you reach the snowy outskirts of the final chapter, you'll realize the game isn't just about the number of levels, but how you prepared for the end of the world. Focus on the upgrades early, and those 17 chapters will feel like a masterclass in survival horror rather than a chore.