Amnesia is truly great. By offering just very simplicistic gameplay mechanics, it achieves it's only goal: freaking you out during the whole experience, even when there's really nothing to be scared of. The reason why it became such a popular game, is that Frictional Games were among the very few developers who realized that horror games don't need guns to work. Instead, they work even better without them.
But what happens when you finally defeat (or are defeated) by Alexander in the depths of Brennenburg? Are you really that eager to go for a second playthrough of the whole thing? Probably not: you do now know the solutions for all the riddles in the game, remember when and where monsters do spawn (you will hardly forgot those spots if you played the game alone at night, wearing headphones), and you're not even scared of flying naked guys anymore. Maybe.
Well, don't restart Daniel's adventure. It's kind of a waste of time, considering what you should be playing instead. Custom Stories. I've tried more than 30 (I'm not sure about the exact number), and the 10 I'll be listing here are those I enjoyed the most. They all differ from the vanilla game for different reasons, and those reasons are what will keep you playing Amnesia for a very, very long time after you're done with Alexander.
You will be able to download all these stories from Moddb, along with countless more. Also you will require to have the Justine patch installed, but since we're on Steam that's nothing you should worry about...

Tenebris Lake focuses on level design and user-created awesomeness.


This is probably the most amazing CS I have experienced so far. To be honest, I'm not sure if I really prefer this to Gary: Dark Secrets, but I decided to have Tenebris Lake as number one because after playing it, anyone would notice how much effort the developer has put in his work. Let me explain what I mean:
- environment: each level in the story has it's unique design. The first 5 minutes of the game will have you walking through woods, then later on you'll be making your way in an abandoned mine, and of course the usual cellars and storages and castle rooms won't be missing. And be aware, I'm not spoiling about the best parts! Each map looks gorgeous, not a single room feels empty and meaningless.
- monsters: Grunts and Brutes are for pansies. In this story there's more than that. And I'm not talking about a single new enemy model, there's a wide range of them, and most of the time they will see you first. So you won't really have much time to look at them and wonder what kind of sick mind has generated them.
- scarejumps: there's a lot of them, and they don't regard flying naked guys. Plus, you'll come across some references to the Penumbra series in Chapter 3, but I already said much.
- length: 2-3 hours. Depending on your ability to solve riddles, not pausing the game to catch some breath, finding your way in the bigger areas. You think 3 hours it's too much? Don't worry, there's save points scattered all around the maps.
- one last thing... there's an easter egg, and it's worth your time.

Tenebris Lake is a Total Conversion Mod, this means it can't be installed by just placing it in the custom_stories folder, make sure to read the developer's instructions after you've downloaded the story.

Tenebris Lake Announcement Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8C4AQOEePd8
Moddb link: http://www.moddb.com/mods/tenebris-lake

This story does not focus on single aspects. It does on everything.
This is the first chapter of a series, and chapter 2 is currently in development.
Basically, Dark Secrets has all the right elements in it: a good story, lots of jumpscares (yet naked guys are involved), superb voice acting for the main characters, good graphics, interesting cutscenes. It's also kind of a long CS, I can't remember if longer than Tenebris Lake, could be.
The thing is, I can't say much. The story does not feature the innovation of Tenebris Lake or White Night, but still it made it at number two in the list... but I'm afraid you'll have to find out why by yourself. And do so. I totally encourage you to. There are simply no flaws in this one.

If you already played this and loved it (of course you did), check out Gary - Snowy Secrets aswell.
Gary - Dark Secrets Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvNVlD824yI
Moddb Link: http://www.moddb.com/mods/gary-dark-secrets

This mod focuses on wetting your pants.

Another very long and popular CS, this one received a lot of updates after it's release because there were grammar abominations and the author released both a normal and an HQ version of his work.
The weak part of Lost the Lights it's the first 20-30 minutes. It appears as a very random CS in which you already know you're not going to see anything you've already experienced at least 10 times before. There's some platforming that may piss you, and flying naked guys are on the loose, but just keep going. Everything gets better, fabulously better. Jumpscares will make more sense after the first levels: bodies won't be thrown at you anymore but... well, you'll find out.
Riddles will become tough challenges and there's some parts in which a lot of running is involved... not necessarily because you're being chased by a monster. Still, those parts work, hell they do.
Level design is great, there's even some dungeon-crawling experience toward the end which is very well done.
Great story aswell, go play it.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-the-lights

This story focuses on Atmosphere and Storyline.
White Night is probably the most popular mod for Amnesia: The Dark Descent. It was praised by players and reviewers, and in 2011 it won the Mod of the Year award on Moddb (for single-player).
Now, this story completely differs from the vanilla game for various reasons, but I won't be spoiling them here. Just be aware that it is not a short adventure and some of it's riddles aren't that easy to solve. As for the rest, you'll see and discover everything by yourself, but I assure you there's SO MUCH to see.
The storytelling is superb, the plot is much better than any other, including the one from the original game. You may feel a bit confused about what's going on the whole time, but that's part of the atmosphere: you'll feel stranded and alone, but not as in Brennenburg Castle... it'll feel different, much colder. I can't tell more without spoiling things, so just go play the story already!If someone else was writing this guide, he would most probably have put this story as number one. I mean, most people would have done so. I personally enjoy long stories with lot of action more, tough this does not mean that White Night is missing a good amount of jumpscares.
You'll enjoy White Night the most if you're familiar with the Silent Hill franchise, because there's a lot of references to it.
It is a Total Conversion Mod so, again, make sure you read the author's installation notes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCfNEkNHB60
http://www.moddb.com/mods/white-night

This story focuses mainly on jumpscares.

Jesus Christ, Abduction. This is probably the longest custom story ever. it continues the storyline of Daniel and Alexander of Brennenburg, and does not offer new mechanics or gameplay aspects as most of the stories in this list do, but I believe this is the story that got me scared the most. You'll find out by yourself, and you won't have to wait that much after starting the game. I insist in telling you that Abduction is very long, so don't play it if you're short on time or are planning to go to bed in half an hour. Or an hour. Or two. Maybe even three. If you can't stand that, you may want to avoid Abduction. Your choice.
The structure of the levels will certainly remind you of the vanilla game. You reach a safe haven, some big hall full of doors, and each one of this doors brings you to a certain area to find a certain item. Once you're done with all these areas, you can (hopefully) move to the next big hall and to more doors. It's hard to lose your way, in the end.
There's also one very good part right at the end of the story (if you manage to reach it): since it's at the end, indeed, think twice before revealing this spoiler: there's a boss fight with Alexander, but it's nothing like the one in which you mindlessly pull pillars or insert sewered heads in portals or just stare at Alexander's penis until he leaves, it is MUCH more hardcore. Credits to the author.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/abduction

This mod focuses on Music.

The developer describes Dark Seclusion as not being a jumpscare-fest. But I'll say this is one of the few stories that made me pause the game and then quit it because I could stand it no more. The reason why I stopped playing is that Dark Seclusion uses 3D binaural audio samples.
In order to get a clear idea of what that means, listen to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IXm6SuUigI
So it is EXTREMELY important to wear headphones in this story. The music tracks are awesome and you'll find yourself not wanting to leave an area (if safe) before having heared them for their whole length. Fortunately most of the maps are very big and there's secrets to find, so that will keep you busy.This story may be a bit hard if you rely a lot on your lantern, because oil is consumed at an increased speed in Dark Seclusion, so take my advice, befriend some darkness now and then.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/dark-seclusion

Through the Portal focuses on jaw dropping visuals, so I'll just shut up and let screenshots talk!

http://www.moddb.com/mods/amnesia-through-the-portal

This story focuses on exploration.
I think I had to restart this story at least three times because of bugs or my tendency not to save. But I kept on going until I finally reached the end.
This story is a challenge. Items are not highlighted by that blue aura you see in other stories or in the vanilla game, meaning that you have to check every shelf and every spot at least twice. You'll get stuck, sometimes you will even possess the items you need to reach the next area, but you won't have an idea on how to use them. I checked a walkthrough myself at least three times.
Don't expect a lot of monsters.
If you like riddles and exploring this is the ultimate story for you. Also very good graphics, atmosphere, storytelling and decent length.


http://www.moddb.com/mods/deterioration

These stories focus on Humour.
There's always space for parodies, especially in games such as Amnesia. I've listed three, but there's dozens to be found on the web. They're usually not very long stories, and they often do start with that same aura of mystery and utter darkness that is ordinary in those stories that actually aim at keeping you up at night.
Feast of the Damned is great. It's scary, seriously. You wouldn't define it a parody until you start hearing dubstep in the background and seeing disco-lighted rooms and corridors. If you're thinking about trying it, be aware that everything (EVERYTHING) may happen.
Dark Room is, instead, clearly filled by meme references. Just take a look at this screenshot.
Freaking Nyan Cat made it to Amnesia because of mod developers.But what I said for Feast of the Damned applies to Dark Room aswell: don't let your guard down., not even when you see the Nyan Cat and hear it's damn theme: he may start chasing you, you know.
Last Night is pretty cool and well-designed, and it's storyline is completely messed up, so you know it's got to be great. There's also some good voice-acting, but you'll understand it's importance when reading notes.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/feast-of-the-damned
http://www.moddb.com/mods/dark-room-series-dark-room-1-and-dark-room-2
http://www.moddb.com/mods/amnesia-last-night

This story focuses on being a tribute to Silent Hill and fighting.

Yep, fighting. This story allows you to kill monsters, except for this guy in this screenshot, whose name is Phantom.
Basically, everything you grab can be used as a weapon, you hold it and then start frenzying on your mouse until monsters disappear in a numb of ash. The story levels structure is a clear reference to those in Silent Hill, as you will always find locked doors (jammed doors, LOTS of 'em) and you'll have to find keys and you'll be basically lost in a labyrinth until you get your hands on a map of the place. And there's boss fights at the end of major levels.
I haven't played Harold's Story to the end, but from what I've seen on youtube it is kind of a long adventure with a rather complex story in it. I personally did not like it much and stopped after an hour through because I didn't like the combat system (it made monsters be afraid of me, not the contrary) and the level design: the maps are massive, but some areas look empty. But I guess the main reason why I stopped playing is that I wasn't in the mood for long custom stories that night. If you check the Moddb page you'll notice how the story is praised by many, of course the developer has put some effort in making it very innovative. This is why I'm putting Harold's story in my list, even tough there's stories I've enjoyed more. Seriously don't bother me about the graphics, it's just some areas. And right now I'm thinking about restarting the story myself.

http://www.moddb.com/mods/amnesia-hill

I've listed stories that differ in terms of the approach they require to be enjoyed. But there's a whole lot of other adventures that are worth mentioning too, such as:
- Emma's Story
- The Attic
- La Caza
- Disponentia
- Fekete Keres - Black Search
etc.
Plus, Amnesia's community is not done working with the HPL engine. Some very promising custom stories have been announced, and it would be great if you guys could spread the word to your friends about these, in order to encourage the developers, as some of these projects are serious business. Let's take a look.
- Embrion (http://www.moddb.com/mods/embrion)
There's a trailer for Embrion, but no release date yet, and it's been on Moddb spotlights for quite some time now. Actual footage of the game is seen in the second half of the video.

- Gary: Dark Secrets Chapter 2
This is something that will surely hype you if you've tried Chapter One (if you haven't, go do it now!). There's not a trailer for it yet, just a theme track.

- Horizon
The developing team for Horizon claims that all models and texturex in the story will be their own creations, and if you check the Moddb page you can see what they mean by yourself. Check the video section for some awesome samples of what the story will feature.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/horizon-amnesia-tdd-mod

There's more incoming, as always. hopefully even a release date for A Machine for Pigs.
If you're particularly excited about an upcoming CS for Amnesia, feel free to list it down here in the comment section. Also suggest your own top 10 stories, if you like.
Thanks for reading, I certainly hope my list will be of use to you.