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2Dark

An interesting storyline, clever game and level design are all defining features of 2Dark, but it falls short when it comes to offering a challenge worthy of a survival-horror game that was anticipated with Frédérick Raynal's return to the genre.
2Dark Game Cover
61%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
62% User Score Based on 242 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxWindowsPlayStation
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2Dark Game Cover

About

2Dark is a single player survival survival game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Gloomywood and was released on March 10, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

From Frédérick Raynal, the creator of Alone in the Dark and pioneer of survival-horror, 2Dark is a grim journey of stealth and courage into the heart of corruption. Plagued by a string of child abductions, darkness hangs over the once-picturesque city of Gloomywood like a curse. As former detective Mr. Smith, use your cunning to infiltrate six bastions of cruelty. Uncover the secrets of the derang…

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62%
Audience ScoreBased on 242 reviews
story46 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • Deep and intriguing dark story tackling disturbing themes rarely explored in games.
  • Unique blend of stealth, survival, puzzle-solving, and atmospheric horror mechanics.
  • Distinctive pixelated/voxel art style and effective audio design create a tense and immersive atmosphere.
  • Clunky, inconsistent stealth mechanics and frustrating controls that impair gameplay enjoyment.
  • Numerous technical issues including bugs, AI glitches, inconsistent enemy behavior, and game crashes.
  • Punishing difficulty with cheap deaths, confusing level design, and a harsh save system that can force level restarts.
  • story
    133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of 2Dark is widely praised for its dark, grim, and gripping narrative that tackles taboo subjects like child abuse and trafficking, creating a disturbing yet compelling atmosphere. Players appreciate its psychological horror elements, intriguing plot twists, and unique art style that contrasts unsettling themes with cutesy visuals. While the story is regarded as the game's strongest aspect, many reviews note that gameplay issues sometimes detract from fully enjoying the narrative experience.

    • “The story is incredible and had me digging deeper with a twist revealed toward the end that should be any parent's worst nightmare.”
    • “The story is the strongest part of the game; it is very dark, unconventional, unique, taboo and engaging, dealing with child abuse and cruelty.”
    • “The story is truly captivating and tackles such dark material in a way that makes the player nervous, scared, and wonder what is going to happen next.”
    • “The story is simple but well written and the game design is very good. Story started off fine but was obviously rushed.”
    • “Story is alright, atmosphere and tension is there but i really dislike the game play mechanics, the pointless traps, enemy placements which is sometimes almost impossible to sneak past without killing them (the game rewards you for completing levels without killing anyone which in my opinion is dull), in addition saving is manual so when you fall prey to a dark hole that blends in with the floor and you haven't saved in awhile you have to do the whole thing again and all this makes for a really frustrating experience.”
    • “Sadly, i kinda saw how parts of the story would unveil itself and that made it a bit lackluster in that part.”
  • gameplay
    130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in 2dark centers on stealth, exploration, and puzzle-solving with a strong emphasis on rescuing children, but it is often described as clunky, frustrating, and reliant on trial-and-error. While some appreciate its unique blend of stealth and horror elements alongside a grim narrative, many criticize its imprecise controls, buggy mechanics, and repetitive, slow pacing that can detract from overall engagement. Despite solid thematic ambition and atmosphere, the gameplay execution frequently hinders player enjoyment.

    • “2dark is one of those games I consider out of the ordinary, not for its innovation, but for the fantastic way it fuses stealth gameplay with a horror genre that doesn't scare through jump scares or tension, but through the disgusting and sometimes very real themes.”
    • “The gameplay is a combination of stealth, puzzle-solving, and exploration, as players navigate environments to rescue children while avoiding detection.”
    • “While this has a more horror-style emphasis on stealth, the gameplay is somewhat reminiscent of Hotline Miami in that you should expect to get killed and make mistakes each level; it rewards good reactions and memorization, gives a lot of freedom in approaches, and encourages clever tricks with open but goal-oriented maps.”
    • “The stealth gameplay is annoying, the child escort bit is pretty annoying as well.”
    • “Poor gameplay paired with terrible controls.”
    • “Story is alright, atmosphere and tension is there but I really dislike the gameplay mechanics, the pointless traps, enemy placements which is sometimes almost impossible to sneak past without killing them (the game rewards you for completing levels without killing anyone which in my opinion is dull), in addition saving is manual so when you fall prey to a dark hole that blends in with the floor and you haven't saved in awhile you have to do the whole thing again and all this makes for a really frustrating experience.”
  • graphics
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics feature a unique, retro-inspired pixel and voxel art style that creates a dark, eerie atmosphere without relying on graphic violence, effectively supporting its horror theme. While some players appreciate its distinctive, haunting aesthetic and detailed level design, others find the visuals underwhelming, pixelated, and occasionally confusing, impacting gameplay clarity. Overall, the art style is polarizing but contributes significantly to the game's unsettling mood and thematic ambition.

    • “The game's aesthetic doesn’t rely on graphic violence or shock gore, but instead builds horror through implication—suggestive environments, eerie sound design, and haunting ambient tracks.”
    • “The presentation here is top-notch with detailed SNES-hewn graphics that showcase a cartoonish style mixed with a tragic layer of almost VHS grime and shadows covering nearly every inch of your journey.”
    • “The art style and level designs are top notch for a small indie horror release, and the atmosphere that's cultivated because of it all is dreadfully tense and may even cause you to hold your breath more than what is natural and healthy.”
    • “The graphics look kind of weird and I appreciate the developer trying something new, but it doesn't work.”
    • “Tiny pixelated graphics with a shroud of darkness around you at all times, just terrible.”
    • “The art style and graphics also make these traps hard to see, so even if you have your flashlight, you still die unfairly.”
  • atmosphere
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    2dark is widely praised for its thick, dark, and tense atmosphere, effectively combining unsettling themes with strong sound design, art style, and music to create a gripping horror experience. While some technical issues and clunky mechanics occasionally disrupt immersion, the game’s disturbing and mature tone, along with its unique narrative elements, leave a memorable and impactful atmospheric impression. However, certain players find the gameplay and presentation choices detract somewhat from the overall mood.

    • “Despite the simple visuals, the atmosphere is thick with tension, and the presentation effectively conveys the horror of the world without becoming gratuitous.”
    • “The art style and level designs are top notch for a small indie horror release, and the atmosphere that's cultivated because of it all is dreadfully tense and may even cause you to hold your breath more than what is natural and healthy.”
    • “Artistically, the game holds water: its graphics help bring to life its nasty environments and the music builds a strong atmosphere while also knowing when to take a step back and letting you listen to your surroundings, which you'll need to do as 2dark is more than happy to plunge you in complete darkness on more than one occasion.”
    • “Technical issues, such as bugs and pathfinding glitches, can occasionally interfere with progress and break immersion, which is unfortunate given the care taken with the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere: it is so disappointing that a game made by the 'father' of the survival horror genre is not able to scare...”
    • “It also feels like the developers ran out of budget so skipped on getting voice actors, the enemies just have text above their head that you have to read, and it really ruins the atmosphere.”
  • music
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for effectively enhancing the atmosphere and complementing the art style, with some describing it as heartfelt, solid, and fitting for a survival-horror experience. However, a few users find it unremarkable or overly loud, and note limited audio options. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the immersive and tense environment.

    • “The atmosphere is great, I like the art style and the music.”
    • “Artistically, the game holds water: its graphics help bring to life its nasty environments and the music builds a strong atmosphere while also knowing when to take a step back and letting you listen to your surroundings, which you'll need to do as 2dark is more than happy to plunge you in complete darkness in more than one occasion.”
    • “Great sound effects and music add to the atmospheric storyline and locations.”
    • “Music is really uninteresting and clumsy; I can't believe half of the credits were dedicated to the musicians... we French people need to learn balance.”
    • “The music is mostly appropriate but not particularly noteworthy; if anything, it might be a tad too loud, which can be a problem because there are no specific audio options within the game—you only have the option to lower the volume.”
    • “The AI isn't exactly smooth, and at the end when I reloaded, I could still hear the credit music.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mix of genuine, heartfelt moments and intense, gripping experiences, particularly highlighted by its child rescue mechanic and themes requiring patience and emotional resilience. However, its impact is sometimes undermined by technical issues and an overreliance on shock value, though some find charm and warmth in its characters and story despite dark themes.

    • “One of 2dark's most emotionally intense mechanics is its child rescue system.”
    • “Despite these rough edges, 2dark is an undeniably bold and emotionally gripping experience.”
    • “In the end, 2dark is a game that rewards patience, critical thinking, and emotional resilience.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is marred by frequent bugs, glitches, and occasional control issues that disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some features like item toggling are useful, they can be buggy, contributing to an overall janky experience. Despite these technical flaws, the game remains enjoyable but would benefit from significant troubleshooting.

    • “Technical issues, such as bugs and pathfinding glitches, can occasionally interfere with progress and break immersion, which is unfortunate given the care taken with the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “But the gameplay is janky and buggy as hell.”
    • “It's pretty short, a little buggy in parts and doesn't make your objectives all too clear.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is described as tedious, clunky, and overly reliant on perfect execution, leading to a frustrating and repetitive experience. Many find the mechanics cumbersome, with awkward inventory management and unsatisfying combat contributing to the overall monotony.

    • “The mechanics of the game for this exceedingly more difficult route are rather clunky and tedious and you have to use them perfectly to finish this specific route.”
    • “My time is card farming and not real.”
    • “[Tedious, trial and error stealth, awkward inventory management, rubbish combat]”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally poor, leading to performance issues even on capable computers. While not completely unplayable, it falls short of expectations and may not justify its price without significant improvements.

    • “Optimized.”
    • “The game isn't a total mess, but it probably wouldn't be worth the $25 price tag even if it was ironed out, optimized, and lived up to its potential.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor is dark and absurd, combining unexpected, shocking elements with a playful tone that elicits strong laughter through its surreal and grotesque comedy.

    • “Kind of like seeing the Muppets pull out knives and attack the audience and roll around in the blood while still smiling and laughing like it was a normal show.”
    • “O_o made me laugh more than anything.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers multiple endings, providing some replay value despite its short length. This encourages players to replay to experience different outcomes.

    • “Short but it appears there are different endings, so there is replay value.”
    • “This leads to replay value, at least.”
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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 15 critic reviews
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12h Median play time
11h Average play time
10-12h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

2Dark is a survival survival game with mystery theme.

2Dark is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 11 hours playing 2Dark.

2Dark was released on March 10, 2017.

2Dark was developed by Gloomywood.

2Dark has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

2Dark is a single player game.

Similar games include The Evil Within, Murdered: Soul Suspect, Lust from Beyond, Die Young, Penumbra Overture and others.