Castle In The Darkness
- February 5, 2015
- Matt Kap
- 7h 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 development.
- Great retro graphics and an engaging soundtrack that captures the 8-bit aesthetic.
- Tons of secrets, references to classic games, and a variety of bosses that keep the experience fresh.
- Frequent instant-death spikes and traps that can feel unfair and frustrating.
- Lack of a map and inconsistent save point placement can lead to tedious backtracking.
- Some controls can feel unresponsive, particularly during critical platforming sections.
- music492 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 the looping tracks repetitive and irritating, leading to frustration during extended play sessions. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered a highlight, its execution in terms of variety and length has drawn criticism.
“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 great and always complements the overall aesthetic of each area.”
“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 problem with this game is that it has the look and feel of a NES game, but it doesn't bring modern gameplay/style to it; even the controls have an odd feeling, and the music is banal.”
“In addition to that, the music is very short and repetitive; I'd say most songs are about a minute long at most and repeat ad nauseum.”
- gameplay322 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Castle in the Darkness" is a blend of traditional metroidvania mechanics and challenging platforming, featuring tight controls and a variety of weapons and spells. While many players appreciate the nostalgic art style and addictive nature of the gameplay, others criticize the frequent instant-death mechanics and inconsistent platforming, which can lead to frustration. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and difficulty, appealing primarily to fans of retro-style platformers who enjoy trial-and-error gameplay.
“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.”
“It is a love letter to old school gaming, filled with direct references to classic games, the gameplay is fun and has tight controls.”
“Fast paced and tight gameplay, awesome music, cool and challenging bosses, it's got everything you could want from a metroidvania like this.”
“The only thing that really frustrated me is the 'bounce' mechanic.”
“However, despite all the sick horrible design choices designed to infuriate you, there is still worse to be found in the gameplay.”
“You see, the gameplay itself seems to not be all that bad at first, but the platforming is just horrendously bad.”
- story234 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the games reviewed is generally perceived as weak, with many titles featuring minimal or clichéd narratives centered around classic themes like saving a princess or defeating monsters. While some players appreciate the charm and simplicity of these stories, others criticize them for lacking depth and originality, often feeling that the gameplay takes precedence over narrative. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the story may not be a strong point, it serves its purpose in facilitating exploration and gameplay rather than delivering a compelling narrative experience.
“The story was good and simple and had some cute moments.”
“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.”
“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.”
- graphics228 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % 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, which many players find nostalgic and visually appealing. Reviewers highlight the detailed enemy designs and diverse level aesthetics, noting that the graphics effectively complement the game's challenging platforming and engaging atmosphere. While some critiques mention occasional performance issues and a lack of polish compared to more modern titles, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a strong point of the game, enhancing the overall experience.
“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 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.”
“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).”
“It copies Castlevania and stuff (probably for fun) but even those old games had better graphics, better music, better gameplay, better exploration, and just about everything.”
- humor94 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 reliance on pop culture and "troll" moments to be unfunny and frustrating. Some players enjoy the nostalgic and witty writing, but others criticize it for lacking depth and subtlety. Overall, the humor can be hit or miss, often depending on individual taste and familiarity with gaming tropes.
“I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I cracked up laughing at some of the sadistic hidden insta-kill traps the developer laid.”
“The game even plays on your expectations with some hilarious results – if you don’t mind being kicked in the ribs a few times.”
“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.”
“But as a metroidvania riddled with unfunny kaizo traps, lazy design, and power creep problems, it felt unsatisfying.”
- grinding48 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and frustrating, primarily due to excessive backtracking and unskippable cutscenes that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Players often find themselves repeating sections unnecessarily, farming for items, and facing one-hit deaths that contribute to a sense of monotony. While some appreciate the core gameplay and artistic elements, the overall experience is marred by the grindy nature of progression and lack of engaging content during repeated visits to the same areas.
“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.”
- stability38 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezing issues, and game-breaking glitches that render it nearly unplayable. While some users noted minor bugs that were humorous rather than detrimental, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability problems, leading to frustration and a lack of patience among players. A few users did mention a smoother experience, but these instances appear to be exceptions rather than the norm.
“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.”
“I love this game's design and gameplay, but the sheer amount of glitches I've had in my time playing this game left it unplayable, and I'm not even joking with that.”
- replayability22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability, particularly through its New Game+ mode, which introduces unique pickups, additional secrets, and challenges for players seeking 100% completion. While some players may find limited motivation to replay after achieving full completion, the inclusion of bonus endings and extra content provides enough incentive for dedicated fans. Overall, the replay value is rated around 6/10, with enjoyable elements that can keep players engaged, especially at its low price point.
“100%ing, bonus endings, new game + - if you really like the game, there's enough extra content to give it replayability.”
“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 ng+ without taking any hits.”
“Great music, lots of enemies and bosses, and don't let the cheap price throw you off from getting this game - there's actually quite a bit of replay value if you're going for 100% completion.”
“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.”
“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 a bad enough dude to get about halfway through ng+ without taking any hits.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its charming pixel graphics, cohesive color schemes, and memorable music that enhances the overall experience. Each area features a unique ambiance that contributes significantly to the gameplay, although some players find the fast travel system frustrating. Overall, the atmospheric elements are considered top-notch and integral to the game's appeal.
“Every area of the game has a fantastic atmosphere thanks to its color scheme, environment design, and especially music.”
“Every area has a unique atmosphere as well, which really adds to a game like this.”
“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.”
“So he does well to incorporate a vivid set of few colors to make levels that feel like they have a cohesive atmosphere.”
“It has charming graphics and a NES-like atmosphere that adds a lot to the experience.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of frustration due to gameplay mechanics that can feel unfair, such as inconsistent hit detection and the risk of getting stuck. Despite these challenges, many reviewers also convey a sense of empowerment and invincibility when acquiring new items, indicating that the game elicits a mix of intense emotions, from frustration to exhilaration. Overall, the emotional experience is deeply tied to the game's mechanics and the player's journey through its challenges.
“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.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably poor, with users reporting significant performance issues such as 2-3 second delays during screen transitions, despite the graphics being very basic. This leads to a frustrating gameplay experience characterized by bad playability and inconsistent performance on various PCs.
“Castle in the Darkness is so 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 of the song, making them sound like actual songs processed through a chiptune converter.”
“If anything, it's 8 parts NES and 2 parts TurboGrafx-16, mostly in terms of performance.”
“The performance is weirdly spotty on my PC despite the graphics being ultra-basic.”
“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.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for detracting from the overall experience, with players feeling it leans towards a "cynical, low-effort cash grab" rather than honoring the nostalgic design of classic games. Many reviewers express frustration with the presence of modern monetization tactics like DLC, microtransactions, and lootboxes, which they believe undermine the game's intended charm.
“The monetization model respects players and doesn't overwhelm them with constant prompts to spend money, allowing for a more enjoyable experience.”
“I appreciate that the game offers a fair balance between free content and optional purchases, making it accessible to everyone.”
“The absence of aggressive monetization tactics makes this game feel like a genuine tribute to classic gaming.”
“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
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is praised for its artistic design, contributing to a challenging gameplay experience that engages players. The emphasis on visual aesthetics enhances the overall appeal of the characters.
