Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 153 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil Game Cover
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In "Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil" , join the Oxford Paranormal Group for an all-night investigation of Harwood House, a haunted estate with a history of ghost sightings. Utilize paranormal equipment to conduct experiments and capture evidence of supernatural entities. Discover the chilling past of this abandoned building, believed to be haunted by multiple spirits.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 153 reviews
story36 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The atmosphere is top-notch, creating a genuinely creepy experience that enhances the gameplay.
  • The game features a variety of engaging puzzles that require careful observation and note-taking, making players feel accomplished when solved.
  • The integration of ghost-hunting gadgets adds a unique and immersive element to the gameplay, allowing for a more interactive experience.
  • The constant interruptions from NPCs over the walkie-talkie can be annoying and disrupt the immersion of the horror experience.
  • Some puzzles are overly complex or vague, leading to frustration and the need for walkthroughs to progress.
  • The sound design can be overwhelming at times, with loud noises that detract from the overall atmosphere and can be irritating.
  • story81 mentions

    The story in "Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil" is highly praised for its depth and engagement, weaving together intricate lore and character connections that enhance the immersive experience. Players appreciate the atmospheric setting and the integration of puzzles that advance the narrative, although some find the open-ended exploration can lead to confusion. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of mystery and horror genres.

    • “However, story-wise, this is probably the best one, going way deeper into the Dark Fall lore, with a storyline that links various past events (from different times) and ties them together perfectly.”
    • “The story is engaging and keeps you wondering about what's going on and wanting to keep going to learn more.”
    • “The game atmosphere just nails what a great haunted house story should be.”
    • “If you are interested in the story, just watch a playthrough on YouTube; you won't lose anything compared to playing it.”
    • “The story itself was okay, up to a point. I still am having trouble with why a children's home is making ads to persuade people to send their children to them. I'm thinking maybe it was supposed to be a boarding school, not a children's home, but some of the children were clearly too young to be at boarding school. It did annoy me a bit and it seemed all very vague.”
    • “You can do things out of order (I really prefer this to linear games); however, this may cause a lack of stability in the plot lines, as you may end up having no communication with your pals during the whole of the game, only to find out they will spam everything they had to say to you once you complete one thing and return to the main story.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The atmosphere in these games is consistently praised as top-notch, with many reviewers highlighting its eerie, immersive quality that enhances the horror experience. While some sound effects may become repetitive, the overall ambiance, combined with strong storytelling and well-crafted environments, creates a haunting and engaging atmosphere that captivates players. Many fans appreciate the absence of cheap jump scares, favoring a more subtle and unnerving approach to horror that relies on atmosphere and tension.

    • “The atmosphere and scripted events are astoundingly good.”
    • “Darkling Room has always had a knack for creating a gripping, eerie atmosphere, and they absolutely nailed it once again.”
    • “The game atmosphere just nails what a great haunted house story should be.”
    • “The only thing that really bothered me were the 'spooky' sound effects; in the beginning, it really adds to the atmosphere, but after a while, it gets annoying real quick.”
    • “Zero atmosphere, lame artwork.”
    • “For me, the 'group' aspect takes away from the atmosphere of the game and puts a damper on the foreboding and suspense that the other games had.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and attention to detail, contributing significantly to the eerie atmosphere and immersive experience. Many players appreciate the unique visual style and high-resolution artwork, although some noted issues with navigation and optimization for certain monitors. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay and storytelling elements.

    • “It's spooky and challenging but not overly so, and the graphics are gorgeous.”
    • “A fantastic dark fall game, beautiful high resolution graphics, great atmosphere and wonderful spooky locations.”
    • “The graphics are really good, especially some of the special effects used to portray the supernatural.”
    • “Zero atmosphere, lame artwork.”
    • “The only minor issue I had was that it was not optimized for my ultra-wide monitor as some of the graphics didn't display properly.”
    • “No jump scares, but the sounds and graphics are enough to get me suitably on edge.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is centered around ghost hunting and recording paranormal activity, featuring unique mechanics and gadgets that enhance the experience. While some players appreciate the satisfying object-finding and puzzle integration, others find certain sections tedious and the sound design off-putting. Overall, the game successfully combines traditional adventure elements with innovative gameplay ideas, appealing to fans of the genre, though it may not suit everyone's taste.

    • “The game has a cool environment and some of the mechanics are satisfying for anyone who likes the ghost hunting grind, especially in the developer’s other titles.”
    • “I also noticed the gameplay has changed a bit in a positive way, adding something cool and new - gadgets!”
    • “Gameplay mainly relies on object finding and ghost hunting using equipment, which is essential to progressing the story.”
    • “For me, there are just too many tedious sections and mechanics coupled with terrible noises.”
    • “And there are supposedly puzzles you can complete, according to the walkthrough, that are either very difficult to find or don't exist in the gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay is a bit odd: at times the mouse floats and jumps to different locations, but it took me a lot of time to recognize it as a technical issue and not an in-game effect.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in Jonathan Boakes' games is praised for its ability to create a charming yet eerie atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with well-crafted sound effects and ambient undertones. Reviewers highlight the effective use of musical pieces that contribute to the game's creepy setting, suggesting a significant amount of research went into the soundtrack. Overall, the music and sound design are integral to the immersive storytelling and atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the games.

    • “Lovely musical pieces were used in the game, and they definitely helped in setting the atmosphere; I can only imagine the amount of research that has gone into all this.”
    • “The ambient undertones, the subtle music, and the location noises make it so good.”
    • “Although it takes a little while to get going (as the characters are introduced and you’re familiarized with the gadgets), stick with it because it’s an absorbing story with a creepy setting and soundtrack that just adds to the atmosphere.”
    • “As usual, the sound effects are very well done and, mixed with the otherworldly music, create a very unnerving atmosphere at many times throughout the game.”
    • “And yes, there are a few music ones (which could be a pro or a con).”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the children's voices amusingly annoying and the dialogue on walkie talkies genuinely funny. While the voice acting has been criticized for being hilariously bad at times, it can also be endearing, contributing to the overall fun atmosphere. Many players appreciate the clever banter and the abundance of humorous elements throughout the gameplay.

    • “The dialog on the walkie talkies made me laugh at times too.”
    • “Funny dialogue and a helluva lot of fun.”
    • “The voice acting is top notch, some of the banter really is hilarious.”
  • stability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report significant glitches and unresponsive controls that detract from the experience, others have found it to be well-made with no noticeable issues. The presence of technical problems seems to undermine the game's otherwise solid themes and core mechanics.

    • “Finally, the controls are clunky, unresponsive, and buggy.”
    • “However, since the game in its themes and core is solid, I am somewhat bothered by the glitches and technical issues that riddle it.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game stumbles in gaining that trust due to its many weird glitches.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, with repetitive mini-games and mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Many express frustration with the lack of clarity on when to use various gadgets, leading to aimless wandering and unnecessary delays in progression. While some puzzles are manageable, a few become monotonous, contributing to a sense of boredom as players navigate through the game.

    • “For me, there are just too many tedious sections and mechanics coupled with terrible noises.”
    • “Lots of tedious mini-games and an arsenal of gadgets that I was never really sure when to use, so I would just randomly try each one upon entering a new scene, which further added to the tedium.”
    • “After a while, the mini-games can get a bit boring and tedious, and I feel like I am just wandering about trying to move forward. We got stuck a few times because apparently we had to play more of the mini-games to move on, which was again a bit tedious.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is praised for its mature emotional depth, capturing themes of loss and nostalgia through its atmospheric environments. Players are drawn into a poignant experience that is further enhanced by beautiful graphics and a strong sense of exploration. A heartfelt tribute to the developer's late sister adds a personal touch to the emotional resonance of the game.

    • “However, there's a mature, emotional depth to this game too - a sad, poignant undertone of loss and innocence, a yearning for a past (or a future) that is quietly echoed in the crumbling corridors and lonely dormitories.”
    • “At the end of the credits, there's a touching tribute to Jonathan Boakes' sister Jo who passed around this time last year.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its unclear and potentially inappropriate advertising strategy, particularly regarding a children's home that seems to be promoting itself in a confusing manner. This vagueness detracts from the overall experience and raises questions about the game's intentions.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The game "Ghost Vigil" is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on systems that meet lower than the stated requirements, ensuring a seamless gameplay experience for most players.

    • “I can honestly say that this game runs wonderfully on systems lower than the stated requirements, and most should have no problems running Ghost Vigil. The gameplay is very smooth and optimized.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for a seamless experience even on less powerful hardware.”
    • “Ghost Vigil has clearly been optimized well, as it maintains high performance without sacrificing visual quality.”
    • “I can also honestly say that this game runs wonderfully on systems lower than the stated requirements needed, and most should have no problems running Ghost Vigil. The gameplay is very smooth and optimized.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game's non-linear structure, randomized puzzle solutions, and multiple endings contribute to a unique experience for each player, enhancing its replayability significantly.

    • “The non-linear path, randomized puzzle solutions, and three different endings make each gamer's experience unique and enhance replayability.”
    • “With multiple character choices and branching storylines, every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
    • “The game encourages experimentation with its diverse gameplay mechanics, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
11-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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