DUSK
- December 10, 2018
- David Szymanski
- 10h median play time
An obsessively tuned, finely crafted shooter that more than recreates the speed and pure joy of '90s classics.
Get on Steam
Get on PS Store"DUSK" is a retro-inspired first-person shooter game with a 90's aesthetic, featuring three campaign episodes filled with mystical cultists, possessed militants, and supernatural forces. The game offers a wide range of weaponry, from sickles and swords to grenade and rocket launchers, and also includes an Endless Survival Mode for added challenge. Players must master combat and exploration to discover the dark secrets lurking beneath the Earth.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- music2,329 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in *Dusk*, composed by Andrew Hulshult, has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality, blending heavy metal with atmospheric tracks that enhance both combat and exploration. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to shift seamlessly from eerie ambiance to adrenaline-pumping riffs, creating a captivating experience that complements the game's fast-paced action and horror elements. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as one of the best in recent gaming history, rivaling even the iconic scores of the *Doom* series.
“The soundtrack, composed by Andrew Hulshult, is a love letter to the heavy metal and industrial music of the '90s, perfectly complementing the frenetic action on-screen and enhancing the overall experience.”
“The music is fantastic, and shifts from dark and eerie to blood-pumping in an instant.”
“The soundtrack is incredible, the gunplay is tight and satisfying, the enemy designs are inspired with plenty of variation.”
“I find it somewhat repetitive and boring, though the setting and music are interesting enough for me.”
“The music choice, specifically the Doom 2016 styled EDM pretending to be heavy metal that plays during the action, is extremely out of place and is already dated.”
“The music... what can I say. I could not be arsed with it, I'm sure it was mediocre but it wasn't anything to bust a nut over, I muted it for a majority of my playthrough.”
- gameplay1,819 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Dusk* is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that evoke the classic feel of 90s shooters like *Quake* and *Doom*. Players appreciate the tight controls, diverse weaponry, and engaging level design that encourages exploration and skillful movement, including mechanics like bunny hopping and wall climbing. While some reviewers note a lack of depth in certain gameplay elements, the overall experience is described as exhilarating, nostalgic, and rewarding, making it a standout title in the retro FPS genre.
“The gameplay in Dusk is fast, fluid, and incredibly satisfying, with tight controls and responsive mechanics that harken back to the glory days of the first-person shooter genre.”
“Dusk expertly combines 90's and contemporary FPS themes and gameplay, delivering a thrilling experience that captures the essence of classic shooters while introducing modern mechanics.”
“Dusk is a fantastic attempt at recreating the feel of a classic FPS game but giving the game its own flavor & of course matching modern mechanics with classic mechanics.”
“The gameplay is very reminiscent of quake, with fluid movement and encouraged and easy to learn bunny hopping.”
“The gameplay is straightforward, but it feels like a mix of quake and chasm: the riff, having the DNA of both in its gameplay and style.”
“The gameplay is fast, fluid, and incredibly satisfying, with tight controls and responsive mechanics that harken back to the glory days of the first-person shooter genre.”
- graphics1,474 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Dusk* are intentionally retro, emulating the low-poly aesthetic of 90s shooters like *Quake* and *Doom*, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others may view them as outdated. The game offers extensive customization options for graphics settings, allowing players to adjust the visual style to their preference, including pixelation and color palettes. Overall, the visuals effectively contribute to the game's eerie atmosphere and fast-paced gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of classic FPS games.
“The game's polish shines bright thanks to its fluid controls, detailed visuals, and well-paced level design.”
“Dusk captures the classic 3D realms aesthetic with its ultraviolent, crunchy palettes.”
“The graphics are nostalgic and look pretty crispy with various options to tweak it how you like.”
“Some players may find the retro-inspired graphics and sound design off-putting, especially those accustomed to modern AAA titles with photorealistic visuals and cinematic storytelling.”
“The graphics are awful and very low poly.”
“The graphics, while clearly 'bad', do that bad thing so well it really is like being 'back in the day' - in a good way.”
- atmosphere1,163 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Dusk" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively blending elements of horror and retro FPS gameplay. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a thick, unsettling ambiance through its level design, soundscapes, and a dynamic soundtrack that shifts from atmospheric to intense metal during combat. The combination of Lovecraftian themes, dark visuals, and engaging gameplay contributes to a uniquely captivating experience that resonates with fans of classic shooters.
“The atmosphere is incredible, and having the old retro feeling of doom/quake makes it an enjoyable experience, also like quake, making you find your weapons again on each chapter.”
“The soundtrack, level design, and atmosphere were all top notch in dusk.”
“Dusk is a surprisingly fresh, yet creepy homage to games like doom, quake, hexen and various other id titles in the decade past, playing this game reminds me of my ps1 in the 90's, re2 generation style graphics, i loved the atmosphere and reminded me of some old school john carpenter flicks, with the soundscapes as well.”
“The atmosphere varies from level to level.”
“The atmosphere is genuinely unnerving at times, and there are some enemies (which I will not spoil) that provide a thrill every time I fight them.”
“The atmosphere is so thick you can touch it with your bare hands.”
- story892 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Dusk" is minimalistic and primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, with players piecing together the narrative as they progress through the game. While it lacks extensive cutscenes or dialogue, the atmospheric design and subtle hints create an engaging backdrop for the fast-paced gameplay, reminiscent of classic shooters like Doom and Quake. Overall, the narrative serves more as a framework for the action rather than a focal point, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay without being bogged down by a complex plot.
“The story of this game is as simple or as complex as you make it to be.”
“The story isn't much, but the main character definitely has more depth than the champion; even has a backstory that I'm not spoiling, and that goes for the plot.”
“Dusk is a deeply atmospheric story that unfolds through its levels, with environmental storytelling that keeps you engaged.”
“The story is painfully simple, but if you came to this sort of game for in-depth storytelling, then you're in the wrong place.”
“The story is minimal, but it won’t have you pushing forward to learn anything special; it’s there to contain the sci-fi and fantasy elements of the game.”
“The story is almost nonexistent, but it's enough to keep you engaged, whilst not detracting from the main selling point: the shooting.”
- humor165 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a blend of dark, absurd, and self-aware elements, often featuring hilarious easter eggs and quirky mechanics like throwing soap at enemies. Players appreciate the balance between comedic moments and the game's horror themes, with many finding the humor to be both nostalgic and cleverly integrated into the gameplay. Overall, the game is described as fun and entertaining, with a unique sense of humor that resonates well with fans of retro shooters.
“There are some hilarious easter eggs in the game.”
“I like that the game doesn't take itself too seriously or edgy yet it combines dark elements with humor.”
“The game has its great balance of funny and enjoyable, there are plenty of secrets to find in each level, and you can beat every level without killing anyone: including the bosses (except the last level).”
“The themes are edgy, paralleling games like Blood, but the art style is hopefully intentionally bad in an unfunny way.”
“I've been jumpscared by rats seven times now, and it's not funny.”
“I felt that it became better the more the game went on, but due to my lack of wisdom, I find the game to be 'not funny at all.'”
- replayability142 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, driven by a wealth of secrets, achievements, and multiple difficulty settings that encourage players to revisit levels. Players appreciate the inclusion of an endless mode and modding support, which further enhances the game's longevity. While some reviewers noted limited replay value for casual playthroughs, the overall consensus highlights the game's engaging mechanics and the challenge of uncovering hidden content as key factors in its replayability.
“It borrows all of the best elements from several of the all-time greatest hits of the genre, including Doom, Quake, Blood, and even Half-Life, culminating in a highly replayable and immersive unique experience.”
“The game also brings a lot of replay value to the table, such as the arena mode where you kill endless hordes of enemies, the countless secrets to discover, and even the workshop bringing in custom, user-made levels for you to play.”
“The sheer amount of replayability and mountains of content on display here is incredible.”
“The only thing lacking in this game is replayability and a few bugs well worth a good $20.”
“My only gripe with this game is the lack of replayability, but that is still understandable.”
“Given the old school FPS nature, replayability is limited beyond searching for secrets and beating it at the highest difficulty, or just playing it for it being a damn good shooter.”
- optimization62 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players praising its smooth performance and ability to run well on low-end hardware, while others report issues like stuttering and tearing, particularly on high-end systems. Despite some technical hiccups, the game is generally considered well-optimized for a retro FPS experience, offering a variety of graphical settings to enhance performance. Recent updates have improved performance significantly, making it more accessible for a wider range of systems.
“The game runs smoothly even on low-end devices and the combat is fast as all hell, and the level design is like nothing I've experienced before, and can be anything from a classic hillbilly cabin to psychedelic horror madness.”
“You can easily note how much effort the team behind the game put in order to perfect the experience: the controls are smooth, performance is surprisingly stable even on old machines and enemies behave differently instead of being just mindless targets.”
“I love this game, it has all the style of a retro boomer shooter but it is so well optimized to make the gameplay super fast, fluid, and fun.”
“Performance on a high-end PC was terrible with a lot of headache-inducing stuttering.”
“It's crafting a game that would be limited by technology and game engine performance in the 90's, but had to be 'held back' and kept at a specific level artificially using Unity.”
“The performance is really questionable.”
- stability47 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 64 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting minor glitches and bugs, particularly in multiplayer modes, while others experience smooth gameplay without significant issues. Some users noted that the game runs well on various hardware, including low-end systems, and praised its performance, but a few encountered crashes and freezing during specific scenarios. Despite the inconsistencies, many players found the game enjoyable and stable enough for a satisfying experience.
“Runs great on a 4080.”
“Runs great on low-end hardware (Intel 4600 iGPU), and it also works flawlessly on Linux.”
“Amazing level design, authentic (and very customizable) look and feel, runs great without any hiccups.”
“The multiplayer is dead and had many glitches.”
“This game is buggy as **** and literally crashes my entire computer but I still play it.”
“But there are a fair amount of bugs and glitches that I am experiencing currently that kind of ruin the game.”
- grinding43 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with many noting that it detracts from the enjoyment of combat and exploration. The navigation and level design can feel cumbersome, leading to a repetitive experience that requires significant time investment for achievements or progression. While some appreciate the atmosphere and fast-paced action, the grinding elements are frequently criticized for interrupting the flow and making gameplay feel laborious.
“At first, it's just what you'd expect from a game like this, although it isn't tedious in the slightest; however, as you progress to about halfway through the game, dusk decides to change things up a little.”
“Secrets are fun to find and not tedious; can't recommend enough.”
“Don't worry, it's simple, no tedious cutscenes, you'll still be on the go and not miss a beat.”
“Every fight feels tedious because I have no wiggle room to make a single mistake, meaning I can't enjoy the feeling of just decimating enemies.”
“It's a very repetitive, tedious, and lackluster gameplay experience that also lacks the general charm a lot of other games of this genre have.”
“The slow and tedious navigation cannibalizes the thrilling pace of the gunplay.”
- emotional42 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from nostalgia and empowerment to fear and frustration. Many highlight the intense atmosphere and engaging gameplay that evoke feelings reminiscent of classic FPS titles, while others note the emotional impact of the soundtrack and character interactions. However, some players also report feelings of motion sickness and frustration with certain gameplay elements, which detracts from their overall experience.
“This game is a heartfelt, passionate, dirty, smutty love letter to the history of the FPS genre, and you should really give it a buy, as the nostalgia and tight gameplay will hit a resonance frequency within anyone and everyone who plays it.”
“A deeply emotional, thought-provoking experience.”
“I want to cry for all the years of my life I lost not playing Dusk.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
“I found the character development lacking, which made it hard to connect emotionally.”
“The attempts at emotional depth fell flat and felt more like a checklist than genuine storytelling.”
- monetization21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, or any exploitative practices commonly found in modern titles. Reviewers emphasize that the game offers a genuine homage to classic FPS games without resorting to cash grabs, focusing instead on delivering a high-quality gaming experience. Overall, it is celebrated for prioritizing gameplay over monetization schemes, making it a standout title in the indie shooter genre.
“It reminds us of the time when there was just a focus on great games over heavy microtransaction business models.”
“Dusk should get a Game of the Year award, with various enemies to fight against, a soundtrack that you can bang your head to for hours at a time, no microtransactions of the sort, really good art design, options to optimize your game to your liking, levels that have really cool gimmicks, superb gunplay, and much more to offer such as Dusk multiplayer.”
“No loot boxes or other microtransactions, no other modern AAA game nonsense, multiplayer mode, an upcoming co-op mode, and amazing boss fights.”
“Overall I don't know how dedicated these guys are about making a proper game, but this feels like a cash grab trying to not look like one.”
“Some games push microtransactions for OP weapons, some have over the top balanced gameplay.”
“This game isn't just a nostalgia cash grab.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is primarily focused on visual design rather than narrative depth, with well-crafted and distinct enemy designs that enhance the horror atmosphere. While the character and level designs are praised for their creativity and clarity, players seeking a rich, layered story with character progression may find it lacking. Overall, the emphasis is on striking aesthetics and gameplay mechanics rather than traditional character development.
“The character design is well-created; along with its atmosphere, they can confidently claim their game as a horror game.”
“Character designs were purposefully chunky, polygonal, and crude; however, they read really well and you will instantly know how to deal with each monster type the second you see them.”
“Everything from the character design to the level design and even the soundtrack is beyond amazing.”
“If you are looking for a single player story game with layered character development and scripted story sequences with dialogue, you will not find it here.”
