Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 226 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

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 226 reviews
story42 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating atmosphere and engaging story that keeps players invested throughout the experience.
  • Puzzles are challenging yet rewarding, encouraging players to think critically and take notes to progress.
  • The incorporation of ghost-hunting gadgets adds a unique twist to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The constant interruptions from NPCs over the walkie-talkie can be annoying and disrupt immersion.
  • Several technical issues and glitches, such as unresponsive controls and items not appearing correctly, detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Some puzzles are overly vague or obtuse, leading players to rely on walkthroughs to progress.
  • story100 mentions

    The story in this game is highly praised for its depth and engagement, weaving together various elements of dark fall lore and providing a rich narrative experience that keeps players invested. While some players noted the need for intuitive triggers to progress, the overall atmosphere, voice acting, and integration of puzzles into the storyline were highlighted as strong points. Despite minor critiques regarding certain plot elements, the game is recommended for its immersive storytelling and intricate world-building, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “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 story of the game is engaging and makes you want to keep playing all the way to the end in one sitting.”
    • “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.”
    • “Despite that open-endedness, you will still have to satisfy some random triggers to keep the story moving, and I would argue that they aren’t all that intuitive thanks to, again, the open exploration without guidance of any kind.”
  • atmosphere62 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience through well-crafted sound design and visual elements. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a gripping sense of foreboding without relying on cheap jump scares, although some note that certain sound effects can become repetitive. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and engagement.

    • “However, 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and attention to detail, with many reviewers highlighting the eerie atmosphere and special effects that enhance the supernatural elements. While some noted that navigation can feel outdated and confusing, the overall aesthetic is considered a strong point, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience. However, a few users experienced minor issues with optimization on ultra-wide monitors.

    • “It's spooky and challenging but not overly so, and the graphics are gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics are really good, especially some of the special effects used to portray the supernatural.”
    • “The graphics were crisp and clear with a great attention to detail.”
    • “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.”
    • “Still point and click, but with better visuals and animations.”
  • gameplay34 mentions

    The gameplay is centered around ghost hunting and object finding, featuring unique mechanics like gadgets and a ghost box that enhance the experience. While many players find the gameplay satisfying and well-integrated with the story, some criticize it for being tedious and filled with annoying sounds. Overall, it appeals to fans of the genre, particularly those who enjoyed previous titles from the developer, though it may not suit everyone's taste.

    • “I also noticed the gameplay has changed a bit in a positive way, adding something cool and new - gadgets!”
    • “The gameplay was very satisfying.”
    • “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 mainly relies on object finding and ghost hunting using equipment, which is essential to progressing the story.”
  • stability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report numerous glitches and clunky controls that detract from the experience, others have found it to be well-made with no significant issues. The presence of minor bugs is noted, but they are generally not game-breaking.

    • “Finally, the controls are clunky, unresponsive, and buggy.”
    • “However, since the game in its themes and its core is solid, I am somewhat bothered by the glitches and technical issues that riddle it.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game stumbles gaining that trust due to its many weird glitches.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the children's voices amusingly annoying rather than creepy, while others appreciate the genuinely funny banter and clever easter eggs. However, the voice acting has received criticism for being inconsistently poor, which can detract from the overall experience, though some find this endearing. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its creepy elements, creating moments of genuine laughter amidst its flaws.

    • “The dialog on the walkie talkies made me laugh at times too.”
    • “The voice acting is top notch, some of the banter really is hilarious.”
    • “It has its flaws, but is interesting, funny, genuinely creepy at times, is loaded with easter eggs regarding other titles, and evokes the earlier games' need for a pen and paper to keep notes throughout your adventure.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, with repetitive mini-games and unclear mechanics that lead to frustration. While some puzzles are manageable, the reliance on numerous mini-games to progress often results in a sense of aimlessness and boredom. Overall, the experience is marred by a lack of clarity and engaging content, making the grinding feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.

    • “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.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in Jonathan Boakes' games is praised for its charm and eerie quality, effectively enhancing the atmospheric experience alongside well-executed sound effects. The combination of otherworldly music and immersive sound design contributes to a consistently unnerving ambiance, enriching the game's storytelling and puzzles. Overall, the music is a standout element that complements the game's themes of folklore and mystery.

    • “Jonathan Boakes' games are so charming and eerie; the atmosphere, the music, the story, the puzzles, and the homage to Saxton and Nigel Danvers—loved it all!”
    • “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.”
    • “As always, there's oodles of delicious flora and folklore, music and megaliths, as well as helpful technology and machines that go ping.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game raises concerns, as players find the narrative surrounding a children's home promoting itself through ads to be confusing and poorly executed. This vagueness detracts from the overall experience, leaving users questioning the intentions behind the monetization strategy.

  • emotional2 mentions

    The game is noted for its mature emotional depth, characterized by a poignant sense of loss and innocence, evoking a yearning for the past or future that resonates through its desolate settings.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Dark Fall: Ghost Vigil

Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
11-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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