DARK

40%
Game Brain Score Based on 759 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
DARK Game Cover
A stealth-based vampire game that promises a lot but doesn’t manage to pull anything off particularly well
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"Dark" is a single-player horror role-playing game featuring pretty visuals and immersive stealth-action gameplay. As a vampire, players will ambush enemies from the shadows, use powerful vampire skills, and develop formidable abilities. The game offers a rich story, RPG elements, and various dialogue choices to create a unique and thrilling experience. However, it is known to be quite buggy.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

40%
Audience ScoreBased on 759 reviews
gameplay64 positive mentions
story80 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique take on the vampire genre with its emphasis on stealth and supernatural abilities.
  • The art style is cool, featuring a comic book-like aesthetic that some players find appealing.
  • The gameplay can be fun and challenging for those who enjoy stealth mechanics and tactical gameplay.
  • The story is poorly written and lacks depth, with many characters feeling one-dimensional and generic.
  • The AI is inconsistent, often leading to frustrating gameplay where enemies can spot the player unfairly.
  • The controls and mechanics are clunky, making the stealth gameplay feel unpolished and difficult to execute effectively.
  • story409 mentions

    The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be weak, generic, and filled with plot holes. While some appreciated its potential and found it engaging enough to keep them invested, others criticized the dialogue, character development, and overall execution, likening it to a poorly written B-movie. Overall, the narrative is often described as lacking depth and originality, making it a secondary aspect of the gameplay experience.

    • “Great story, very consistent and not too many contradictions in the main storyline (all I can say without spoilers).”
    • “The story is interesting and the voice acting is well done.”
    • “The stealth in it is not bad; it's pretty good and the story is actually really good if you like story-based games. I recommend this game to everyone that likes vampire games but with a twist.”
    • “The story reads and acts worse than a C-rated vampire film, and the graphics aren't even up to the standard of their time.”
    • “The story is poorly written and honestly barely even there.”
    • “The voice acting's terrible, the plot is weak, the characters are one-note, and the general format is borrowed so heavily from Vampire: The Masquerade that it might as well not be its own game but a mod and collection of maps.”
  • gameplay240 mentions

    The gameplay of "Dark" is primarily stealth-focused, offering a mix of tactical challenges and vampire-themed abilities, which some players find engaging and fun. However, many reviews highlight significant flaws, including clunky mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of fluidity in stealth actions, leading to frustration and a sense of unfulfilled potential. While the game has its moments of enjoyment, particularly for fans of the genre, the overall execution has received mixed to negative feedback, suggesting that it may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The stealth-focused gameplay and immersive world make it a must-play for fans of dark, atmospheric games.”
    • “The game's focus on stealth and tactical gameplay is both challenging and rewarding.”
    • “Really fun gameplay including some interesting stealth mechanics, such as teleportation, manipulation of your enemies, oh and the ability to force-choke body slam someone to death, because I guess you're a vampire Jedi now.”
    • “The worst part of the entire game is in its broken stealth skill system and poor gameplay design.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely boring and repetitive; there's really no motivation for you to keep playing. The story is quite unoriginal and uninteresting, and enemies will walk back and forth between programmed routes, just waiting for you to use the same 2 or 3 animations to kill them.”
    • “The stealth mechanics are flawed, the vamp powers are flawed, the story fails to be engaging, and all the voice acting and the script sound like they're trying out for an after-school drama group.”
  • graphics179 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as dated and not top-tier, often compared to older systems like the PS3 and Xbox One. However, the unique comic-book art style, reminiscent of titles like "Borderlands," is appreciated by some players for its aesthetic appeal, despite issues with animations and overall polish. While the visuals may not impress everyone, they contribute to a distinct atmosphere that some find enjoyable, even if the execution leaves much to be desired.

    • “The gothic style looks awesome and still does, the visuals remind me of a couple other comic style games that come to mind like 'Borderlands', the Telltale titles, and 'Hellboy: Web of Wyrd' for example.”
    • “The graphics are fun in a comic book kind of style that I liked, while the initial atmosphere at the nightclub gives the impression that this will be a gritty game that utilizes its vampire theme.”
    • “The visuals are actually quite easy on the eyes even though it's a game from 2013 (shows that style beats realism), giving that nice Borderlands cell shading to everything.”
    • “The story reads and acts worse than a C-rated vampire film, and the graphics aren't even up to the standard of their time.”
    • “The graphics aren't flattering, the animations are unpolished and stiff, the voice acting is an atrocity, the controls are clunky and difficult to use, the story is lax and just about everything is bad.”
    • “Graphics wise, this game looks like something that belongs on a PS2.”
  • atmosphere28 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a dark and mysterious ambiance that aligns well with its vampire theme, enhanced by comic book-style graphics and immersive environments. While many players appreciate the aesthetic and environmental design, criticisms arise regarding the execution of gameplay elements and voice acting, which detract from the overall experience. Despite its strengths, comparisons to earlier titles like "Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines" highlight shortcomings in depth and execution.

    • “The atmosphere aims to capture a dark and mysterious ambiance fitting for the vampire theme.”
    • “The graphics are fun in a comic book kind of style that I liked, while the initial atmosphere at the nightclub gives the impression that this will be a gritty game that utilizes its vampire theme.”
    • “I am impressed by the castle in the museum; it was really atmospheric.”
    • “While it has its strengths in concept and atmosphere, it received mixed reviews, with criticisms directed at certain gameplay elements and technical aspects.”
    • “Everything this game tries to do, from atmosphere and graphics on down, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines did 500% better ten years earlier.”
    • “Unfortunately, the painful voice acting spoils the atmosphere and the tuning of the game mechanics ruins everything else.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its addictive qualities and industrial vibe, while others criticize it for being repetitive and forgettable. Many players noted that the soundtrack lacks variety, often looping the same track, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while there are elements of the music that resonate with certain players, the consensus leans towards disappointment due to its monotony.

    • “This game punished me so many times for not being stealthy... I have to admit though that the music was addictive!”
    • “For people looking for a VTMB-type game, know this: while Dark pays homage to VTMB through some of its environments and background music, it is not like VTMB at all.”
    • “Music is awesome.”
    • “The music in the sanctuary dance hall was a bit repetitive.”
    • “The song in the preview video is the only one in the game which just repeats itself.”
    • “Music is very meh, and I can't remember a single bit of it except for the same song that plays on a loop in the pseudo-hub you enter in the beginning of the game.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes reported by users, making it often unplayable. Players frequently encounter problems such as clunky gameplay mechanics, unreliable AI, and a frustrating checkpoint system that forces them to reload levels repeatedly. Overall, the game's technical shortcomings overshadow its potential, leading to a disappointing experience.

    • “There were no glitches during the most critical moments of the game.”
    • “The game ran smoothly without any interruptions during key gameplay sequences.”
    • “I experienced no technical issues at all during the most important parts of the game.”
    • “There were crashes and glitches constantly; I couldn't even get through the first cutscene without something going wrong.”
    • “Everything is so buggy it is totally and completely unplayable.”
    • “Multiple times had to reload levels due to glitches.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the ability to select different powers and abilities for varied experiences, many feel that the content is limited, resulting in low replay value. Despite this, the low price point makes it a worthwhile purchase for those seeking a brief gaming experience, with playtime ranging from 10 to 20 hours depending on exploration and playstyle.

    • “Can't beat the price, and it does have a lot of replay value as you can select different powers and abilities through different replays.”
    • “Not a whole lot of replayability as you end up with almost all the powers anyway, but things can go a lot easier if you pick the right powers early in the game, and that can be worth an additional run-through.”
    • “It has 0 replay value, but you'll get a minimum of 10 hours out of it up to a maximum of 20 depending on how much you explore and how quickly you can clear the stages.”
    • “The replay value is rather low, but I got this game for 1€, which is like nothing.”
    • “It has 0 replay value, but you'll get a minimum of 10 hours out of it up to a maximum of 20 depending on how much you explore, and how quickly you can clear the stages.”
    • “The game doesn't have a lot of content or replayability.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by absurd and unexpected scenarios, such as the protagonist's exaggerated strength reminiscent of "One Punch Man" and the illogical stealth mechanics that allow players to hide in transparent spaces. Players find amusement in the game's quirky interactions, like enemies failing to react appropriately during chaotic moments, contributing to a lighthearted and nostalgic experience. Overall, the humor is a blend of slapstick and irony, making for a comically entertaining gameplay experience.

    • “I love that you're basically One Punch Man as far as your fists are concerned, hilarious.”
    • “The stealth mechanisms are fairly odd; you can hide behind a glass wall and the guards on the other side won't see you even though it's fully transparent. (Well, okay, you could go with 'it's a vampire, you don't see its reflection,' yet it's not that kind of approach.) As well as the bushes inside the park being solid blocks... you can hide in them and they can't hit you even though 20 people spray in them. They will then occasionally go 'search for you' and walk inside where you can kill them just to repeat... it was hilarious.”
    • “Also, it was pretty goddamn funny that the first time you suck on someone and all the buddies come over, they can't shoot unless you try that again.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being dull and tedious, particularly in the early stages, with repetitive combat that detracts from the experience. While some players appreciate the minimal achievements for challenge maps, many find the overall grind to be a chore, despite the potential for more engaging gameplay as abilities are unlocked later on.

    • “Dull and very tedious.”
    • “Tedious and repetitive combat with a main character that doesn't feel or look like a vampire.”
    • “Also, the start is quite tedious; it gets more fun later on when you have many abilities.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a disconnection between the graphic violence depicted and the actual impact of those actions, as seen in scenes where tools float above their intended targets. This may leave players seeking a more traditional emotional engagement, such as a romantic or relatable narrative, feeling unsatisfied. Overall, the game seems to prioritize a darker, more detached atmosphere over conventional emotional storytelling.

    • “However, people looking for an emotional vampire that sparkles are not going to be happy.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Players express frustration with the monetization strategy, highlighting intrusive splash screen ads for Tropico 3 that appear every time the game is launched, requiring users to click past them despite having already paid for the game. This approach is viewed as inappropriate and detracts from the overall gaming experience.

    • “Seeing as I paid for this game already, I don't think I should have to deal with advertising, much less intrusive advertising (you have to take action to get past it, and it comes up every time the game fires up).”
    • “Instead, it just adds a splash screen ad for Tropico 3 that requires me to click past it to play the game and asks me to register for their mailing list.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized, with reviewers noting a lack of depth for the main character and minimal growth for supporting characters. Additionally, a last-minute romance feels forced and unearned, further detracting from the overall narrative experience.

    • “Almost no character development whatsoever, not even for the main character, and a forced sort of last-minute romance between your character and the only other person in the game you know more than 2 or 3 things about.”
    • “The characters feel flat and uninteresting, making it hard to care about their journeys or decisions.”
    • “There is a lack of meaningful growth for the characters, leaving their arcs feeling incomplete and unsatisfying.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game struggles with optimization, as players report poor performance even on high-end gaming systems, often experiencing frame rates as low as 20-30 fps.

    • “The game does not run on a performance gaming system, struggling with outdated graphics and dropping to 20-30 fps or lower.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

41% average critic score

Buy DARK

Play time

7hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
5-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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