Dark Crypt
- September 7, 2021
- Daisy Games
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Get on itch.io StoreDark Crypt is a turn-based puzzler that challenges you to sneak through an ancient crypt filled with traps and the undead. With a teleporting mechanic, plan and execute your moves carefully to avoid detection, as you're defenseless in this atmospheric adventure to prevent an ancient evil's awakening.
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Reviews
- Dark Crypt features well-designed levels that gradually introduce new mechanics, keeping the gameplay engaging and challenging.
- The game offers a unique turn-based stealth experience with unlimited undos and the ability to skip levels, allowing players to approach puzzles at their own pace.
- The pixel art aesthetic and atmospheric audio contribute to a spooky yet enjoyable gaming experience, making it a great choice for puzzle enthusiasts.
- The par system can be frustrating, requiring players to complete levels in a specific number of moves, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- Some players found the puzzles repetitive and lacking in imagination, leading to a feeling of monotony as they progressed through the game.
- While the music fits the theme, it can become forgettable or grating during more challenging puzzles, impacting the overall experience.
- gameplay16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a gradual introduction of new mechanics and increasingly complex puzzles, complemented by an 'undo' feature that enhances manageability. Players appreciate the excellent level design, masterful pacing, and accessibility options that maintain engagement without excessive frustration. The turn-based stealth mechanics create a tense atmosphere, encouraging strategic thinking as players navigate through a spooky dungeon filled with traps and enemies.
“The puzzles themselves become more and more complex as you progress through the game, but the 'undo' feature makes things manageable, and the game does a good job of forcing the player to learn newly introduced mechanics before using them in later, more complex puzzles.”
“Though it probably won't blow you away with modern graphics or revolutionary new mechanics, it definitely will wow you with excellent level design, masterful pacing, and wonderful accessibility and difficulty controls that keep the fun moving and prevent the player from becoming exceedingly frustrated.”
“Reminds me somewhat of the Lara Croft GO game, and also Hitman GO (whereas the latter was more quantity than quality)... Dark Crypt brings a roguelike aesthetic to the table, but at its heart, it's still a puzzler: it eases you into its mechanics, every new obstacle has an introductory level, and then it combines them all together into a mind-bending turn-based stealth conundrum, where you have to navigate a spooky dungeon and time your steps with the patterns of various traps and fiends, always having to think one step ahead.”
“The store page mentions boss fights, but they're rare and still turn-based and puzzly, only with a new but familiar mechanic.”
“A turn-based puzzle game that gets harder and harder as new obstacles and mechanics are introduced every few levels.”
“It’s a turn-based stealth puzzle game that eases you into its gameplay.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Dark Crypt" feature a clean, tile-based pixel art style that effectively complements its medieval dungeon setting, creating a solid atmosphere without overwhelming detail. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are well-executed and contribute to the game's overall accessibility and immersive experience. Players appreciate the crispness and simplicity of the graphics, which enhance the puzzle-solving gameplay.
“Dark Crypt is a well-designed turn-based puzzle game with a pixel art aesthetic.”
“A lot of effort was put into the graphics and atmosphere of the game, even if they don't really blow you away.”
“As far as the graphics go, the game has a clean looking tile-based pixel art style with some minor details thrown in here and there, but it does not go overboard with the detail, so it is easy to follow.”
“Graphics are medieval-like, as one would expect from a game taking place in a dungeon, nice enough if you like pixels.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is thematically appropriate, featuring remixed classical pieces that enhance the atmosphere, though opinions on its memorability vary. While some players find it fitting and atmospheric, others describe it as forgettable or even grating during challenging puzzles. Overall, the audio design is solid, with options to adjust music and sound effects separately.
“Premise and aesthetic, level design, mechanics, UI, pixel graphics, and music/audio: all solid, crisp, clean.”
“Controls are simple and intuitive, the music is perfectly creepy, and the levels are difficult but not frustratingly impossible either.”
“To top it all off, the game has great atmospheric audio and music which blends well and complements the visual tone of the game.”
“The music, while thematically appropriate, is forgettable and can even become grating during some of the more cognitively demanding puzzles.”
“The music appears to be largely remixed classical style music, which does seem to fit the theme of the game pretty well.”
“Music is fitting as well, not for me though, even if they are renditions of classical compositions.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story in "Dark Crypt" is minimal yet effective, revolving around a monk's mission to seal an ancient evil within a crypt. While the narrative is straightforward and not particularly strong, players can engage with it through journal entries and optional story elements, allowing for a customizable experience. The horror theme is primarily conveyed through the setting and atmosphere rather than a complex plot.
“In Dark Crypt, you take the role of a monk tasked with the mission of sealing away an ancient evil sleeping deep inside an ancient crypt.”
“To understand the full story, you can also read through the many journal entries that your character will write during the journey through the crypt.”
“There is a story in this game and it is not a really good one, but you can turn it off in the options; having options is a really good thing :)”
“The story of Dark Crypt is very simple and straightforward.”
“The horror theme of the game is mostly in the story and setting, and perhaps one particular action in the game, but aside from that, it's not very prominent.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a dark and eerie tone, enhanced by effective graphics and haunting audio that complement the minimalist art style. Players appreciate the tension built through the gameplay mechanics and the subtle storytelling, which together create a compelling and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is well-crafted, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“I really enjoyed the gameplay - it's never stressful because things only move when you move, but it still manages to build up a lot of tension with the dark and eerie overall atmosphere.”
“To top it all off, the game has great atmospheric audio and music which blends well and compliments the visual tone of the game.”
“A lot of effort was put into the graphics and atmosphere of the game, even if they don't really blow you away.”
“The background sound effects are very eerie and add a sense of atmosphere in a very simple art style (not to be confused with bad).”
“His games add an ominous and creepy atmosphere through small bits of story that don't get in the way.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's extensive features and high replayability, indicating that it offers significant value for the investment.
“You will surely get your money's worth with the number of features and replayability of it.”
