Castle In The Darkness
- February 5, 2015
- Matt Kap
- 9h median play time
Get on Steam"Castle In The Darkness" is a challenging 2D action-platformer with RPG elements. Battle monsters, find weapons and upgrades, and overcome platforming obstacles in a large interconnected world. With over 100 enemy types, 20 boss battles, and a New Game+ mode, there's plenty of content to explore.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Challenging gameplay that rewards exploration and skill.
- Charming retro graphics and a catchy soundtrack that evoke nostalgia.
- Variety of weapons, spells, and bosses that keep the gameplay engaging.
- Frequent instant-death spikes and traps that can feel unfair and frustrating.
- Lack of a map and poorly placed save points lead to tedious backtracking.
- Some bosses and enemies have inconsistent hitboxes, making combat feel imprecise.
- music275 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy chiptune soundtrack that evokes nostalgia and enhances the gameplay experience. However, some players found certain tracks repetitive and irritating, leading to frustration during extended play sessions. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-composed and enjoyable, its looping nature and occasional audio issues detracted from the experience for some players.
“The music in the game is really good and there are plenty of nice tracks to listen to; my favorite has to be the forest level theme.”
“The music is fantastic, the controls are tight, and the platforming is solid.”
“The soundtrack is undeniably stellar.”
“Finally, there's the music, which succeeded in irritating me to the point of muting the game through the Windows volume mixer, because it is a minute-and-a-half-long generic rock loop using chiptune voices with a very noticeable loop point.”
“The music is upbeat and charming, but the tracks are very short and repetitive; I'd say most songs are about a minute long at most and repeat ad nauseam.”
“Take the music for instance -- the first area's music is so awful I had to mute it and put on gaming/chiptune mixes in the background.”
- gameplay177 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Castle in the Darkness" is a blend of traditional metroidvania mechanics and challenging platforming, often described as both addictive and frustrating. Players appreciate the tight controls and quick respawn system, which mitigates the frequent deaths caused by instant-death traps and tricky jumps. However, some criticize the game for its inconsistent mechanics and reliance on trial-and-error gameplay, making it a polarizing experience that appeals primarily to fans of retro-style platformers.
“The core gameplay is pretty fun (if occasionally frustrating), the art style is very impressive, and the music is amazing.”
“The gameplay becomes very addictive with its quick reload feature at save points and the characters & environments hold some nice references with a good sense of humor.”
“Fast-paced and tight gameplay, awesome music, cool and challenging bosses, it's got everything you could want from a metroidvania like this.”
“You cannot access your menu during gameplay and can only access your inventory at save points, which is weird.”
“The gameplay itself seems to not be all that bad at first, but the platforming is just horrendously bad.”
“This game doesn't have that, so any occurrence of the insta-kill spikes becomes a chore and a heavy risk because the mechanics have been designed against the player, and due to the nature of the game's save points, it ends up becoming extremely punishing for no reason whatsoever.”
- story127 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the reviewed games is generally perceived as weak or minimal, often described as a simple quest to save a princess or defeat monsters, reminiscent of classic 8-bit titles. While some games manage to incorporate charming moments or unexpected twists, many players feel that the narrative lacks depth and originality, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling element. Overall, the consensus is that while the story may not be a strong point, it aligns with the nostalgic feel of retro gaming, focusing more on exploration and gameplay mechanics than on a rich narrative.
“The story is simple and sweet, saving the princess and the kingdom, standard fantasy stuff but simply well done.”
“Somehow, in spite of the almost complete lack of exposition, there's an immense amount of emotion in the storytelling that makes it easy to bond with the important characters, and actually care about what's going to happen next.”
“The story is minimal, but still manages to throw a few unexpected twists at you.”
“Story - this is where the game is weakest.”
“There really isn't a story.”
“The story is paper-thin, but you're not playing it for the gripping plot: you're playing because the game offers hardcore challenges that never stop coming.”
- graphics124 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Castle in the Darkness" are widely praised for their charming retro pixel art style, reminiscent of classic NES games, with detailed enemy designs and vibrant environments that evoke nostalgia. Many reviewers highlight the game's polished visuals and cohesive aesthetic, which complement its challenging gameplay and engaging soundtrack. While some players note occasional performance issues and a lack of modern graphical polish, the overall consensus is that the graphics effectively capture the essence of old-school gaming, making it appealing to fans of the genre.
“The pixel art style graphics were good, nicely detailed especially when it came to enemies and bosses, the levels of the game were very good diverse with some pretty good scenery.”
“Castle in the darkness is such a meticulously crafted title, filled to the brim with interesting secrets, fun challenges and very detailed, retro-inspired visuals.”
“The graphics are detailed and crisp, the music is catchy, and the game plays super fast and smooth.”
“The graphics are old school.”
“The game looks intentionally dated, with graphics that almost look like they could belong on an NES (but not quite).”
“The graphics are simple but nostalgic and the gameplay is exponentially challenging, that is to say the difficulty level keeps up with your gameplay.”
- humor49 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the clever references to classic video games and the occasional laugh from the sadistic traps, while others find the humor forced or reliant on cheap gags. Some enjoy the nostalgic nods and witty Easter eggs, but there are criticisms regarding the execution of the humor, with some feeling it detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game balances its challenging gameplay with a sense of humor that may resonate differently with players, depending on their tolerance for trolling and pop culture references.
“The gameplay becomes very addictive with its quick reload feature at save points, and the characters and environments hold some nice references with a good sense of humor.”
“The game has a lot more depth than I expected; it is full of hilarious easter eggs and references to classic video games that clearly inspired it.”
“On top of that, there are countless witty references to retro classics and funny moments in the game you can discover from going off the beaten path.”
“There are multiple ways that you will die here that it's just not funny.”
“As a metroidvania riddled with unfunny kaizo traps, lazy design, and power creep problems, it felt unsatisfying.”
- grinding25 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its tedious backtracking and repetitive gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. Players express frustration with the lack of meaningful changes in areas upon revisiting, the necessity to farm for items, and the frequent one-hit deaths that lead to unnecessary repetition. While some appreciate the core gameplay and aesthetics, many feel that the grinding elements make the game feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable challenge.
“This comes off as tedious more than anything; if I already know how to complete a certain section, why should I have to do it over and over again?”
“There is a lot of backtracking, but unlike good games that add something new and exciting to make the area fresh when you return, this game...doesn't change the area at all, aka it's uninteresting and tedious.”
“But having to keep walking through the seven areas, some of which are a bit lengthy, gets extremely tedious.”
- stability20 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting severe bugs, frequent crashes, and freezing issues that render it nearly unplayable. While some users noted that the game can be enjoyable despite its glitches, others expressed frustration over the instability, leading to rage-quitting and the need for frequent saves. A few players did mention a lack of significant issues, indicating that experiences may vary widely.
“I personally can't get this game to keep running for more than a short bit at a time before it freezes and crashes over and over again.”
“Honestly, the game itself was relatively fun when it originally started out, but the constant game-destroying glitches made it unplayable in many cases and resulted in rage-quitting or shutting the game off forcefully with task manager.”
“Idk if it gets better later on despite being a metroidvania without a map and with only two buttons leaving not much room for interesting abilities, but to start it is such a buggy and unplayable mess that I don't think I'll have the patience to actually get there.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability, particularly through its New Game+ mode, which introduces unique pickups, additional content, and challenges for players seeking to 100% the game. While some players may find limited motivation to replay after completing all content, the inclusion of bonus endings and secrets keeps the experience engaging for those who enjoy exploring every aspect. Overall, the replay value is enhanced by the game's low price and the fun elements added in subsequent playthroughs.
“100%ing, bonus endings, new game + - if you really like the game, there's enough extra spiddly bits to give it replayability.”
“Definitely has replayability with new game +, as there's new content added.”
“The new game + offers a lot of replayability and more secrets to find, too - including a bonus mode that you can only unlock if you're skilled enough to get about halfway through new game + without taking any hits.”
“Replay value: 6/10. After you 100% the game, there is a very fun new game+ that you can do to push the game further and fill out the extras menu, but after you complete all of those things once, you won't immediately feel the need to do it again just for enjoyment.”
“The game will last around 10 hours and there is not much replayability, but for the low price, I think this game is still a bargain.”
“It also has replay value, if you are not too much frustrated by dying.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its charming graphics, cohesive color schemes, and memorable music that enhances the overall experience. Each area features a unique ambiance that contributes significantly to the gameplay, making it feel immersive and engaging. However, some players noted that the fast travel system could be frustrating, detracting slightly from the otherwise top-notch atmosphere.
“It has charming graphics and a NES-like atmosphere that adds a lot to the experience.”
“Every area of the game has a fantastic atmosphere thanks to its color scheme, environment design, and especially music.”
“The music is great, too, not simple generic chiptune stuff; it's actually very memorable, gets stuck in your head, but doesn't detract from the gameplay, instead enhancing it by adding a lot to the atmosphere.”
“If you do look for something to do, and like the music, the atmosphere, the artwork (especially the intro) or the Castlevania-esque playstyle, I recommend it. But if you want to 100% this, or aren't as versatile with very difficult platformers in this style, I would advise looking for something else and just enjoying the soundtrack on YouTube!”
“The music is great, too; it's not simple generic chiptune stuff. It's actually very memorable, gets stuck in your head, but doesn't detract from the gameplay. Instead, it enhances it by adding a lot to the atmosphere.”
“He does well to incorporate a vivid set of colors to create levels that feel like they have a cohesive atmosphere.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about the nostalgic joy reminiscent of childhood gaming experiences. However, frustrations arise from gameplay mechanics that can disrupt immersion, such as inconsistent hit detection and the need for precise control inputs during critical moments. Overall, the game elicits a mix of exhilaration and irritation, highlighting its ability to evoke deep feelings while also presenting challenges that can detract from the experience.
“I have not played a game that made me feel like this in a long time.”
“I really love this game, every new item made me feel invincible.”
“Immediately on startup this game made me feel like I was a kid again playing a new NES game fresh out of the box on Christmas.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably poor, with players experiencing significant performance issues such as 2-3 second delays during screen transitions, despite the simplistic graphics. This leads to a frustrating gameplay experience characterized by bad playability and inconsistent performance.
“The chiptune soundtrack in 'Castle in the Darkness' is superior to regular chiptune soundtracks because the designer, Matt Kap, who also single-handedly developed the entire game, understands live dynamics. The chiptunes feature intricate drum beats, creative bass fills, and slight changes in melodies at various parts, making them sound like actual songs rather than simple loops.”
“If anything, it's 8 parts NES and 2 parts TurboGrafx-16, mostly in terms of performance.”
“Also prone to performance issues-- playing normally I experienced a 2-3 second hang on most screen transitions, including transitions to and from the death screen.”
“Very bad playability and poor performance.”
“Also, the performance is weirdly spotty on my PC despite the graphics being ultra-basic.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for detracting from the overall experience, with players feeling that it leans towards a "cynical, low-effort cash grab" rather than honoring the nostalgic, old-school design. Many express frustration with the presence of modern practices like DLC, microtransactions, and lootboxes, which they believe undermine the game's authenticity.
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content for free, with optional purchases that enhance the experience without being necessary.”
“The in-game purchases are reasonably priced and provide good value, making it easy to support the developers while enjoying the game.”
“It's everything in between that gets in the way of me truly enjoying this game for what it is: a love letter to the good old days of video games, before DLC, microtransactions, season passes, loot boxes, and gacha mechanics.”
“There's 'keeping things faithful to an old-school design' and 'cynical, low-effort cash grab,' and this might be the first indie game in this genre I've felt the latter about.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its artistic design and integration with the overall aesthetic, including music and backgrounds. However, some players feel that certain elements detract from the experience, suggesting that while the design is strong, it may not resonate with everyone.
“This game is a work of art in terms of character design, keeping the controller-throwing challenge alive.”
“The character development is exceptional, with beautifully crafted designs that enhance the overall experience.”
“The attention to detail in character design and development truly elevates the gameplay.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“There are some aspects of character development that completely turn this game off for some players.”
“While the character design is visually appealing, the overall development of the characters is disappointing.”
