In the tradition of Resident Evil and Devil May Cry comes The Suffering, a survival horror game set in a haunted penitentiary. Players must not only confront the spirits of executed inmates while advancing through the game's nine levels, but also fellow criminals on death row, prison guards, and other characters. The 12 supernatural creatures in the game were designed by the legendary Stan Winston, best known for his Academy Award-winning work in Aliens, Jurassic Park, and A.I. Players are cast in the role of a troubled inmate named Torque, who has been condemned to death for a crime he may or may not have committed.

When the spirits of the prison inadvertently free him from captivity, Torque begins a grueling quest for survival as he uncovers the clues to make sense of his bewildering past. To battle his grotesque foes, Torque can find and use ten different weapons, ranging from revolvers to Tommy guns. The protagonist also hides a dark secret that allows him to transform into a superhuman creature when pushed too far, at which point he can unleash his pent-up rage for a limited time. Levels are set within prison walls as well as outdoor surroundings, as enemies attack from jail cells, torture chambers, underneath the ground, from behind trees, and more. During the game, players can make certain decisions that will eventually lead to one of three possible endings.