I think that the reason Amnesia: The Dark Descent has been given so much acclaim is less to do with the actual game, and more to do with the state of the horror genre in video games. Since Resident Evil 4 changed the formula back in 2005, the genre has moved more and more towards action shooter territory in an effort to appease multiple fanbases and actually make a profit. Amnesia was one of the games that really straddled the line between big budget mainstream game, and low budget indie game. It had just enough profile behind it to peak the interests of PC gamers and the mainstream community, but without the sense of compromise with gameplay elements that are forced into every game regardless of genre. As is often the case whenever something indie hits a nerve with the mainstream audience, the reception tends to be a little too generous. A good comparison would be the Arcade Fire album Funeral back in '04 or Paranormal Activity in 2009. All of my examples really helped breathe fresh air back into stagnating mediums or niches and offered a chance for everyone to be involved, not just those who follow the medium on a more dedicated scale.
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