A Dark Room

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,783 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
A Dark Room Game Cover
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"A Dark Room" is a text-based survival game that begins in a cold, dark room with minimalistic gameplay. The player must gather resources, make decisions for survival, and manage a growing community while uncovering the mysterious story behind the dark world. With challenging choices and permadeath, each playthrough is unique and provides a different experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,783 reviews
story281 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • The game features a gripping and mysterious narrative that keeps players engaged.
  • It offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to use their imagination to fill in the story.
  • The minimalist design and gameplay mechanics create a captivating atmosphere that draws players in.
  • There are frustrating bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as crashes and lost progress.
  • The user interface can be clunky and difficult to navigate, making resource management challenging.
  • Some players find the story vague and feel that it lacks depth, leaving them wanting more context.
  • story530 mentions

    The game's story is often described as minimalist yet deeply engaging, allowing players to use their imagination to fill in gaps and uncover a rich narrative. Many reviewers appreciate the slow unfolding of the plot, which is filled with mystery and emotional depth, while some note that the text-based format can lead to missed details if not fully attentive. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its ability to captivate players despite its simplicity, with many expressing a desire for more content or additional storylines.

    • “The story and narrative unfolding is addicting.”
    • “The game really does develop and isn't constrained to the fact it is text-based and depending on your choices can tell a really mysterious and interesting story.”
    • “The story is a bit like H.P. Lovecraft, filled with intrigue and twists better than most mobile games I've played so far.”
    • “There's practically no story, just little messages that constantly pop up and annoyingly get in the way.”
    • “The story fizzled.”
    • “Grammar errors, a boring UI, a lack of depth, and an almost complete lack of story.”
  • gameplay148 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and minimalistic design, yet it offers a surprisingly deep and engaging experience that evolves as the story unfolds. Players appreciate the unique mechanics and the way the narrative is intertwined with gameplay, although some have noted that certain elements could be more intuitive. Overall, the game captivates with its addictive nature and compelling storytelling, making it a standout in the text-based genre.

    • “A dark room is incredibly engaging, with an intense story and fun mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, but very well designed.”
    • “The mechanics reveal a fascinating mystery that unravels into a great narrative.”
    • “The gameplay was very slow-paced at the beginning, and as such I didn't expect at all what was to follow.”
    • “Tedious gameplay, boring story.”
    • “One-dimensional gameplay, not very interactive.”
  • graphics108 mentions

    The game's graphics are minimalist to the point of being non-existent, relying heavily on text and the player's imagination to create a rich experience. Many reviewers appreciate this simplicity, arguing that it allows for deeper storytelling and engagement, reminiscent of classic RPGs and text-based games. Overall, the consensus is that the lack of traditional graphics does not detract from the game's quality; instead, it enhances the narrative and gameplay, proving that compelling content can outweigh the need for flashy visuals.

    • “The minimalist graphical style allows you to formulate your own visuals, while the story evolves those mental images over time.”
    • “Amazing game, incredible storytelling that so much emotion can come out of such a simplistic graphic design, perfect game.”
    • “A brilliant little game and further evidence that graphics are the least important part of game design.”
    • “From game design to art style, this game is nothing like you'd expect.”
    • “Don't be fooled by the sparse graphics.”
    • “Graphically, the game is nothing special, though it is no less for it.”
  • emotional39 mentions

    The game delivers a surprisingly profound emotional experience, evoking a wide range of feelings from joy to heartbreak, often leaving players feeling deeply invested in its narrative. Many users report moments of intense emotional engagement, including crying and a sense of empowerment, despite its simplistic text-based format. Overall, it stands out as a memorable and touching journey that resonates on a personal level, making it one of the most emotionally impactful games in recent years.

    • “There were moments that got my blood pumping, moments that made me cry, and moments that made me viscerally recoil from my phone screen because it was so powerful and emotional.”
    • “It is a highly emotional story that drags you in and creates a sense of being unlike any other text-based medium.”
    • “It's gorgeous and heart-wrenching and amazing.”
    • “Tedious gameplay, boring story.”
    • “Boring story with no solid ending.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its depth and effectiveness, with many reviewers highlighting its mysterious, eerie, and immersive qualities. Players appreciate the well-crafted flavor text and narrative elements that enhance the overall experience, although some express frustration with the vagueness that can detract from enjoyment. Overall, the game successfully combines thematic elements and innovative mechanics to create a compelling and atmospheric world.

    • “The vague atmosphere is mysterious and inspiring.”
    • “Wonderful game, very atmospheric.”
    • “Phenomenal atmosphere, exploration and story.”
    • “It's supposed to add atmosphere but instead leaves me frustrated and wondering why I continue to play.”
    • “The atmosphere of it is kind of creepy and dark.”
    • “The writing style is simplistic but really helps build the story and atmosphere.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is viewed positively, with many players appreciating the intriguing story and the shifting elements on the map that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some users note that the random generation can detract from the experience, the consensus is that the game offers moderate to high replay value, making it enjoyable to revisit. However, a few reviews suggest that while it is fun to play through, the experience may not be as compelling after the first run.

    • “The underlying story adds an element of intrigue and a replay value to figure out all the little secrets and potential endings the game offers.”
    • “Perfect idle game (and not idle) game with depth, replayability and a fantastic story told in a unique way.”
    • “It's super entertaining and has a lot of replayability.”
    • “Some bits are a bit off with the timing, which you can't really fix when things are randomly generated on the map. I don't really know why it was made random at all; to be honest, the game isn't designed to be replayable.”
    • “Replayable, but you'll only ever experience it for the first time once.”
    • “Moderate replay value, but worth it even if you only play it once.”
  • stability13 mentions

    The stability of the game is notably poor, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs and glitches, particularly in the Android version. Many players find the experience frustrating due to crashes, freezes, and issues that reset progress, suggesting that the game feels unfinished and requires significant improvements to its stability.

    • “Unfortunately, several bugs and glitches in the Android version make it annoying to play.”
    • “Good story but a bit of a buggy mess; play on browser.”
    • “However, the game crashes and freezes on certain icons on a dusty path.”
  • monetization10 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is highly praised, with users appreciating the absence of ads, microtransactions, and in-app purchases. Reviewers highlight that the game offers a pure and enjoyable experience without distractions or attempts to extract money from players. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as a significant positive aspect of the game.

    • “No ads and works offline.”
    • “No microtransactions, no ads, just a fun and enjoyable game.”
    • “Shove ads down your throat whenever you do stuff.”
    • “They are not after your money with endless ads and selling you objects or premium resources.”
    • “Also, the monetization choice couldn't be better.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    The reviews highlight that while the game offers enjoyable elements, the grinding aspect is often seen as tedious and repetitive, with limited activities that can feel unrewarding. Some players appreciate the challenge and find ways to make grinding enjoyable, but many express frustration with the excessive waiting and lack of meaningful progression. Overall, the grinding can detract from the experience, despite the game's strengths.

    • “Tedious in the extreme; it plays upon the proclivity to keep grinding away at meaningless tasks that seemed rewarding at first.”
    • “Grindy and unrewarding.”
    • “Tedious gameplay, boring story.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is reported to have subpar optimization, particularly on devices like the Note 9, suggesting that performance could be enhanced. However, players acknowledge that the overall experience remains unique despite these optimization issues.

    • “The game runs smoothly with minimal lag, showcasing excellent optimization.”
    • “I appreciate the attention to detail in the optimization, making gameplay seamless.”
    • “Not optimized for my Note 9.”
    • “Optimization could be improved, but the experience is unique.”
  • music2 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for background music, suggesting that it could enhance the storytelling experience and broaden the perception of mobile games as a medium. They believe that music could elevate the game's narrative potential beyond traditional forms like books, songs, or movies.

    • “The background music adds a lovely atmosphere to the game.”
    • “The music enhances the storytelling experience, making it feel unique compared to books, songs, or movies.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find the game to be highly addictive and filled with humor, enhancing their overall enjoyment and engagement.

    • “Super addictive and very funny to play!”
    • “The humor in this game keeps me laughing out loud!”
    • “I love how the game incorporates witty jokes and hilarious situations!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy A Dark Room

Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
4hMain story
6hCompletionist
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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