Memory drives the quick of The Evil Within 2. Its cyberpunk conceit of minds uploaded into virtual reality prompts us to think of memory through storage metaphors, such as written records, magnetic tape, or the flash drive. Encode and retrieve: memories are read as written.

But this doesn't work. The Evil Within and its sequel have a dynamism that overwhelms static media. Recalls change even as they are invoked. Disconnected images slush into new entities.

Memory here mimics a neurological process called "reconsolidation." The brain simultaneously summons and re-crystalizes a recollection, editing old information with fresh context. Memories are written as re-read.

Simple definitions fail a complex process. We need the strength of paradox. Memory is fire, an element that always changes, that sacrifices each of its shapes to remain intact. Memories persist as do flames — through transformation and replacement.

And Sebastian is fighting fire.