Dark Fall

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 165 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
Dark Fall Game Cover
Dark Fall: The Journal, a puzzle-solving horror game, depends heavily on ambience, and its sound effects and voice-overs are quite good. The puzzles are intelligent and well planned. Fans of the genre will be pleased, but the game has missed the boat by a few years, hearkening back to when titles li
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This Myst-style horror-adventure game will bring fear into your heart. From the very beginning you are exposed to an overwhelming but invisible ghost presence – strange calls, footsteps, voices from nowhere. In order to help your brother and survive you will need to solve the mystery of this abandoned, haunted place. And remember! Do not let it to find you! Do not let it to find you... Do not.. Le…

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Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews
story44 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Dark Fall offers a rich and engaging story that unfolds through exploration and discovery, making players feel like true investigators.
  • The atmosphere is effectively creepy, enhanced by haunting sound design and voice acting that adds depth to the experience.
  • The puzzles are generally well-designed and logical, requiring players to take notes and think critically, which many find rewarding.
  • The game suffers from dated graphics and clunky controls, which can detract from the overall experience for modern players.
  • Many players find the lack of guidance and the need for extensive note-taking frustrating, leading to aimless wandering and confusion.
  • Some puzzles can feel obscure or illogical, causing players to rely on walkthroughs, which undermines the sense of accomplishment.
  • story92 mentions

    The game's story is generally praised for being interesting, well-written, and immersive, with a unique and eerie atmosphere that enhances the narrative experience. Players appreciate the slow unfolding of the plot through exploration and reading, although some find it fragmented or lacking clarity. While the voice acting and pacing receive mixed reviews, many agree that the story is engaging enough to keep players invested, especially for those who enjoy a thoughtful, puzzle-driven approach to storytelling.

    • “The story is eerie, fascinating, and very well-told.”
    • “The main storyline and accompanying mythology were very interesting and well implemented, and there was a lot of different media types used in the telling of it, which really draws you in.”
    • “The story is very interesting, and each note or letter you find makes you feel as though you're slowly fitting together the pieces of a big puzzle.”
    • “The story doesn't make sense with what you have to do.”
    • “Some of the plot lines are introduced just like that - they lead nowhere.”
    • “Story-wise it's fine, but nothing too original or even interesting and is hard to follow because of the many, many notes scattered around.”
  • atmosphere54 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a haunting environment without relying on jump scares. Players appreciate the chilling sound design, ambient noises, and detailed settings that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game. While some find the gameplay mechanics frustrating, the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to the storytelling and exploration, making it a compelling choice for fans of atmospheric adventure games.

    • “Dark Fall's atmosphere is largely successful in making the abandoned train station and hotel feel eerie and haunted without shoving too much in the player's face.”
    • “It doesn't have the classic 'jump-scares' (which, for me, is a good thing), but it has an overall eerie atmosphere that had me at the edge of my seat the whole time.”
    • “The haunting sound effects, chilling background music, and ambient noises like whispers in the wind or creaking floorboards all contribute to the unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “The game conjured up a genuinely frightening atmosphere using audio and side-of-vision shadows.”
    • “Even though you can't save documents and clues (as in many other more modern games), I believe the atmosphere of this particular game is reinforced by having to take notes by yourself; almost as if you were the one actually investigating in that hotel, searching for your missing brother.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated and basic, reflecting its age with low resolution and pixelation that may deter some players. However, many reviewers note that while the visuals are not spectacular, they are functional and contribute to the overall immersive experience, especially when paired with the game's engaging story and sound design. Players who appreciate classic pen-and-paper style games may find the graphics acceptable, provided they are not overly reliant on modern visual standards.

    • “Great story, decent graphics, hard puzzles, and excellent sound effects.”
    • “Interesting story, decent graphics (for the time), and supernatural occurrences make it fun.”
    • “Nonetheless, the combination of graphics, music, and sounds make it wonderfully in horror mood.”
    • “The game is just too old with poor graphics and no options to adjust resolution.”
    • “This, coupled with the absence of any graphics or animation (except seeing a map of London appear), made for a stupefyingly unexciting and underwhelming start to the game.”
    • “256 colors and low-resolution graphics simply don't do it for me anymore, I'm sorry to say.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily point-and-click, allowing players to explore and interact with the environment, though it has been criticized for being dated and lacking depth compared to modern standards. While some mechanics, like hint systems for riddles, are appreciated, many players find the overall experience to be basic and occasionally frustrating due to counter-intuitive controls and limited progression. Fans of classic styles may enjoy the nostalgic elements, but others might find it tedious and unoriginal.

    • “There's a mechanic in the game to get hints about most riddles, which has already proved useful.”
    • “Gameplay is straightforward with point-and-click mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay consists of the player clicking on various parts of the scenery to move about and explore.”
    • “The gameplay isn't great though.”
    • “The game has a few things that could have been done better, and modern games have a few things that make this one seem a bit obsolete gameplay-wise.”
    • “Dated, boring for me... not an original story... tortured gameplay and puzzles...”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is minimal during gameplay, with a stronger emphasis on haunting sound effects and ambient noises that enhance the unsettling atmosphere. While some players appreciate the atmospheric quality created by the combination of sounds and music, others note that the lack of music during key moments detracts from the overall experience. However, the memorable main menu theme has left a lasting impression on players.

    • “The haunting sound effects, chilling background music, and ambient noises like whispers in the wind or creaking floorboards all contribute to the unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “I was attracted to the atmosphere, good music, and riddles.”
    • “Nonetheless, the combination of graphics, music, and sounds make it wonderfully in horror mood.”
    • “There is barely any music during the actual gameplay.”
    • “- not much music, but plenty of sounds and voices.”
    • “No music, just sound.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be more tedious than enjoyable, suggesting that reducing its repetitiveness could significantly enhance the overall experience.

    • “More tedious than fun...”
    • “Make this less tedious and it would be great.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of voice acting in the game is inconsistent; while some performances effectively enhance the story, others fall short in emotional depth, impacting overall immersion.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional impact of the game is inconsistent, with some voice acting performances effectively enhancing the story, while others fall short, lacking the necessary depth to fully engage players in the narrative.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a strict and edgy tone, often amplified by intense and unsettling sound effects that contribute to a unique, albeit creepy, comedic experience.

    • “The humor in this game is delightfully absurd, with quirky characters and unexpected punchlines that keep you laughing.”
    • “I love how the game blends clever wordplay with hilarious situations, making every moment feel fresh and entertaining.”
    • “The witty dialogue and playful banter between characters add a layer of charm that makes the experience truly enjoyable.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users note a relative absence of quick cash grab games featuring ghosts, contrasting with the more common trend of zombie-themed titles that often prioritize monetization over gameplay quality.

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Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

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