Conquest Dark

About

Conquest Dark is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Eldritch Sword Games and was released on April 30, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

Conquest Dark plunges players into a post-apocalyptic world where undead armies and ancient cosmic horrors threaten humanity's survival. Choose from unique classes like Barbarians, Oathkeepers, or Acolytes and master powerful Dark Rituals to combat the darkness. Experience intense, fast-paced action RPG runs that build your legend through devastating builds and relentless progression.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,815 reviews

gameplay97 positive mentions

grinding72 negative mentions

Engaging gameplay with a satisfying progression system that keeps players coming back for more.
Diverse class and build options allow for unique playstyles and strategies.
Well-optimized for performance, running smoothly even on lower-end hardware.

The bleed mechanic can be frustrating, as it punishes players for losing lives and can lead to a feeling of helplessness.
Some bosses and enemies have excessive health, making encounters feel tedious and drawn out.
Limited content in early access may lead to repetitive gameplay after a few hours.

gameplay
293 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a solid and addictive loop that combines elements of roguelike mechanics with a "survivors-like" style, offering a variety of builds and progression options. While the controls are responsive and the visuals appealing, the controversial bleed mechanic has drawn mixed reactions, with some players finding it frustrating and others appreciating its tension-adding qualities. Overall, the game is praised for its depth and replayability, though some feel it lacks content and balance in certain areas.
- “The gameplay/progression loop could best be described as 'reduced to the max' and anyone who is critical toward it might not have known what they would get themselves into from the beginning... the 'survivors-like' gameplay and progression are executed well and smoothly, with responsive controls and appealing visuals/sounds, and the metagame, with a map that just screams 'hyborian age', is appealing as well and surprisingly deep and multilayered once players get a couple of levels under their belt.”
- “The gameplay is fluid and richly layered, offering a seamless blend of strategy and action.”
- “The gameplay loop is very fleshed out and polished, as are most of the other assets.”
- “This happened without warning and made hours of gameplay pointless.”
- “The bleed mechanic, where you slowly die over time, was more annoying than interesting.”
- “Game is getting worse with each update; instead of actually adding content, the balance and mechanics are changed in ways people hate.”
graphics
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed but generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating the dark fantasy aesthetic and art style reminiscent of titles like "Conan" and "Diablo." While some reviews note that the visuals are not groundbreaking, they effectively create an immersive atmosphere and run smoothly, even on lower-end devices like the Steam Deck. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the gameplay experience, enhancing the addictive nature of the game despite some critiques regarding clarity and depth in certain areas.
- “The graphics style fits the type of game very well and is pleasant to look at.”
- “Graphically, Conquest Dark stands out as a masterpiece of dark visual artistry.”
- “The dark fantasy aesthetic and satisfying gameplay loop are more than worth the ten bucks.”
- “The graphics are nothing special, but they do their job and create a nice atmosphere of a darker fantasy setting.”
- “Because the art style is very washed out a la Diablo 2, it's very difficult to actually see projectiles, floor hazards, and enemy attacks.”
- “At first glance the combat/movement seemed a bit janky, the graphics pretty underwhelming (even as someone who doesn't tend to focus on graphics), with small arena maps and an upgrade system that didn't do much for me.”
grinding
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
1%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly in the late game where progression feels steep and rewards minimal. While some appreciate the depth and options for grinding, others criticize it as monotonous and lacking meaningful impact on gameplay. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a core element, it can detract from the enjoyment, especially when it feels like a slog without significant rewards.
- “The choices are meaningful, progression is engaging, and it is not grindy for the sake of grind.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but it's worth it for the rewards.”
- “Maybe this is good for you, for me it's tedious, more so when every run feels more or less the same even after upgrading things; basic enemies just die a bit faster, but the upgrades don't feel significant.”
- “Progression is just way too steep after a couple of levels already; weapon, ability, and passive stat upgrades are just stupidly grindy, and would probably take me 300+ hours of monotonous grinding to max everything out.”
- “It's not fun, it's boring, time-consuming, and grindy for no good reason.”
story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
74%
10%
The game's story is minimal and often considered secondary to its gameplay, with many players noting a lack of depth in the narrative. However, the thematic elements and art design create an engaging atmosphere, and some players appreciate the unique character origin stories that add a layer of customization. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it contributes to the immersive experience within the game's dark universe.
- “Its simple storyline pulls you deep into a dark universe where every twist and turn feels both surprising and deeply engaging.”
- “Much of the story is pieced together through evocative details, mysterious boss names, and haunting locales.”
- “In conclusion, for under 10€, this game is a no-brainer/must-buy; Conquest Dark is a must-play for anyone who appreciates a game that dares to blend bold storytelling with innovative gameplay.”
- “Zero story (it seems) but it's not really a thing someone should care too much about in these types of games anyway.”
- “What is the story?”
- “The graphics are AAA but honestly I'm good with that; the gameplay is simple and easy, the story can use some tweaking here and there to make it more in-depth.”
optimization
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
39%
11%
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on lower-spec systems like older laptops and the Steam Deck. While most users experience no significant issues, a few have noted occasional performance dips, particularly during intense gameplay. The developers' efforts in optimizing the game are evident, contributing to a polished and enjoyable experience.
- “The game is already very polished and has good optimization.”
- “I don't even understand the skill and armor set system, but the game is fun and well optimized for my low-spec 660m laptop.”
- “The performance is awesome, runs butter smooth 60 fps on Steam Deck.”
- “While the game is fine, the performance isn't; it seems to cause me to blue screen every so often.”
- “If you lose a couple of lives early, it is worth just conceding as you have entered a death spiral where poor performance leads to even worse performance.”
- “The longer you play, the more taxing it is on your CPU/GPU, so performance issues start creeping up.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating an immersive experience that complements the visuals and gameplay. While some players find the soundtrack repetitive after extended play, many appreciate its haunting and atmospheric qualities, particularly during intense moments like boss fights. Overall, the sound design is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its engaging and addictive nature.
- “The soundtrack further elevates the experience, intertwining with the visual and gameplay elements to create a fully immersive atmosphere.”
- “The world is bleak but beautiful, the soundtrack haunting, and every playthrough feels different.”
- “Great take on the rogue-like swarm survivor genre, love the art style and synergies for different abilities and classes, and the audio is really good with great music and sound effects.”
- “Music loops to the point of being annoying.”
- “I really love playing this game and watching YouTube on my second monitor, but the music is kind of loud and I can't turn it down.”
- “The game has this background narrative or lore about rituals and evil gods, so it is pretty ironic to use this loud and obnoxious cringe metal music.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its immersive and gritty qualities, effectively evoking a dark fantasy setting filled with tension and strategic challenges. Players appreciate the haunting environments, detailed enemy designs, and a soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, creating a captivating blend of visual and auditory elements. Despite some rough edges from its early access status, the atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into a world of peril and intrigue.
- “The atmosphere is gritty and immersive, with every encounter feeling like a brutal struggle for survival where strategic positioning and quick reflexes are essential to outlast waves of relentless foes.”
- “The soundtrack further elevates the experience, intertwining with the visual and gameplay elements to create a fully immersive atmosphere.”
- “The environments are atmospheric, and the character and enemy designs fit the dark fantasy setting well.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy, your life in peril and the shadows aren't really looking friendly... yet you're the last hope, and your heart is full of valor and bravery!”
- “The enemy designs and backgrounds enhance this atmosphere, evoking a sense of dread that complements the intense gameplay.”
- “The atmosphere, the gore, the sound effects... brilliant.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
23%
18%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability, with players enjoying the variety of character builds, upgrades, and gameplay mechanics. While some users noted a lack of diverse playable races and a limited map selection, the core experience remains engaging, with many expressing excitement for future updates and additional content. The combination of cumulative grind and straightforward mechanics contributes to a fun and replayable experience, despite some concerns about long-term motivation.
- “Perfectly bite-sized, tons of extra replay value, very excited to see where this goes.”
- “Great replayability, lots of varied combinations between the different class and weapon types.”
- “Very fun game with a ton of potential and replayability centered around builds and gameplay.”
- “But when it comes to meaningful replay value, I eventually lost track of what I was even playing for.”
- “For early access, it's pretty good; I'd recommend it, but it's still extremely far off from a game with much replay value.”
- “I would like to see more playable races/creatures, but I believe the world was a human world without other types of races.”
humor
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is consistently described as hilarious, with many players finding the inclusion of nudity and exaggerated character designs to be both unexpected and amusing. The comedic elements, such as the absurdity of characters running around in the nude while engaging in combat, add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise dark setting, making the gameplay experience entertaining and memorable. Overall, players appreciate the game's charm and the effective use of humor throughout.
- “It's absolutely hilarious.”
- “It's completely unnecessary, but is hilariously cute.”
- “This game doesn't just kill you—it makes you bleed out slowly while laughing at your desperation.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance and no significant crashes or glitches, even in early access. Some users experienced minor issues like small freezes and UI scaling problems, but these did not detract from the overall enjoyment. The game is considered stable enough for casual play, with a commendable performance on various platforms.
- “It runs great on Steam Deck despite having a yellow rating.”
- “Runs great for an early access game, and I didn't have a single issue in 4 hours of play.”
- “Great casual game, didn't realize it was in early access; seems feature complete and bug free.”
- “I get small freezes regularly.”
- “The UI scaling glitches out if you make it too big; certain UI screens will be too big and sometimes it will be perfect.”
- “Is it buggy and broken?”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The monetization of the game is viewed negatively by users, with many labeling it a cash grab despite its low price. While it lacks common pitfalls like microtransactions and paid DLC, players express skepticism about the game's long-term value and potential for updates, suggesting it may not be worth the investment. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment regarding its perceived lack of depth and commitment from the developers.
- “Doesn't have any of the annoying features that have become standard recently: no microtransactions, no paid DLC, no time-gated gameplay, no 'log in every day to get rewards' nonsense, no random lootbox annoyance.”
- “This game is cheap, but it's clearly just a quick cash grab. It's not even worth the $10; go buy Megabonk for $8 and have more fun with that.”
- “It's a simplistic game design. I thought there would be frequent updates with added content based on the map, but I am pretty sure it's just a slapped together cash grab and not going to be finished.”
- “Easy refund for me for now; hopefully, the devs put some work in and it isn't a cash grab.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers extensive character development options, enhanced by stunning visuals and intricate character designs that enrich its dark and engaging narrative.
- “Has a lot of character development options.”
- “From sprawling, shadow-draped landscapes to exquisitely detailed character designs, every frame of the game feels like a work of art that complements its brooding yet captivating narrative.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players highlight that the game's haunting melodies and dynamic sound effects significantly enhance the emotional experience, enriching both intense battle scenes and quieter exploration moments. This emotional depth contributes to a more authentic and resonant journey throughout the game.
- “The haunting melodies and dynamic sound effects not only heighten the tension during battles but also lend an emotional depth to quieter moments of exploration, making every part of the journey resonate with authenticity.”