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
- music2,788 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in *Dusk*, composed by Andrew Hulshult, has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and gameplay. Reviewers praise the soundtrack for its dynamic range, seamlessly transitioning from eerie ambient tracks during exploration to intense heavy metal during combat, effectively capturing the essence of classic 90s shooters. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's experience and making it a must-listen even outside of gameplay.
“Andrew Hulshult's music didn't hit me that much at first, but I always grow to the OST slowly. I replayed it and now I listen to the OST whenever I do some chores or work out.”
“The soundtrack is a great mix of tracks that fits the levels, be they metal, eerie, or something similar.”
“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 didn't help with this.”
“The soundtrack is generic: it's loud, metal-esque and it constantly sits in the background.”
“I must've had my music sound low or something because people praise the music, but I didn't even notice it.”
- gameplay2,180 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Dusk* is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that evoke the classic first-person shooters of the 90s, particularly *Quake* and *Doom*. Players appreciate the tight controls, satisfying gunplay, and intricate level design that encourages exploration and skillful movement, including mechanics like bunny hopping and wall climbing. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain gameplay elements, the overall experience is described as exhilarating, nostalgic, and engaging, making it a standout title in the retro FPS genre.
“Dusk expertly combines 90's and contemporary FPS themes and gameplay.”
“The gameplay is fast, fluid, satisfying and very violent.”
“Dusk is a fantastic attempt at recreating the feel of a classic FPS game but giving the game its own flavour & of course matching modern mechanics with classic mechanics.”
“While fun at first, the gameplay rapidly becomes repetitive.”
“The gameplay is straightforward.”
“The gameplay is very fast, enemies numerous and levels intricate.”
- graphics1,771 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Dusk* are intentionally retro, evoking the low-poly aesthetic of 90s first-person shooters like *Quake* and *Doom*. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and atmospheric design, others find the visuals dated and unappealing. The game offers extensive customization options for graphics settings, allowing players to adjust the pixelation and color palette to suit their preferences, enhancing the overall experience.
“Fast-paced, atmospherically aesthetic, gorgeous graphics, and plenty of secrets to unveil if you’re like me and you tend to roam maps in search of easter eggs.”
“With its blend of retro aesthetics and modern sensibilities, Dusk stands out as a remarkable achievement in the indie gaming landscape.”
“The graphics are amazing, and the controls are perfect.”
“Graphics are bad.”
“The graphics are awful and very low poly.”
“I realize this is a remaster that is close to the 20+ year old original, but damn, the graphics are just hideous even with fixes and graphic enhancers!”
- atmosphere1,398 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 fast-paced gameplay with a haunting, Lovecraftian aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional level design, atmospheric soundscapes, and a killer soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult, which together create a sense of dread and excitement reminiscent of classic 90s shooters like *Quake* and *Blood*. The combination of retro graphics and modern mechanics enhances the overall experience, making it a standout title in the boomer shooter genre.
“Dusk nails atmosphere, music, graphics, game feel, but above all else it absolutely nails level design.”
“The atmosphere is incredible, and having the old retro feeling of Doom/Quake makes it an enjoyable experience.”
“The atmosphere, level design, and soundtrack put it above all the others.”
“The atmosphere is genuinely unnerving at times, and there are some enemies that provide a thrill every time I fight them.”
“The atmosphere, especially later in the game, is impeccable; while the game was going for a retro throwback look at first, it quickly veers into something far more unique and likable.”
“The atmosphere is thick as a brick wall, the graphics are low-poly and low-resolution on purpose (but what has been done with them is amazing).”
- story1,049 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in *Dusk* is minimalistic and often conveyed through environmental storytelling rather than traditional narrative methods, such as cutscenes or extensive dialogue. Players navigate a dark and atmospheric world filled with cults and eldritch horrors, piecing together the plot through level design and subtle hints scattered throughout the game. While the overarching narrative may not be deeply complex, it effectively enhances the immersive experience, keeping players engaged as they progress through the game's episodes.
“Players find themselves entangled in a dark and mysterious plot filled with cults, monsters, and bizarre occurrences.”
“The storytelling is delivered through environmental cues, cryptic messages, and atmospheric elements that encourage players to piece together the narrative as they progress.”
“The story is minimalist, but intriguing.”
“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, it won’t have you pushing forward to learn anything special, but 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.”
- humor197 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark and absurd elements that evoke nostalgia for classic shooters while also delivering fresh comedic moments. Players appreciate the clever easter eggs, quirky mechanics like throwing soap at enemies, and the self-aware tone that keeps the experience light-hearted despite its horror themes. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with intense gameplay, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“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).”
“Dusk is everything I like about first person shooters, advanced movement options, punchy sound effects, fast paced combat and gun play, secret hunting, great ambience, and most importantly actual care for delivering a good product, probably one of the best FPS ever made, also funny soap kill stupid boss in one shot.”
“The balance of humor to horror in the game is perfect.”
“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.'”
- replayability165 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, largely due to its extensive modding support, numerous secrets, and various gameplay modes, including an endless mode and multiple difficulty settings. Players can return to levels to hunt for hidden items, achieve speedrun times, or engage in custom user-created content, making it a rich experience for both casual and dedicated gamers. While some reviewers noted limitations in replay value, the overall consensus highlights a wealth of content that encourages repeated playthroughs.
“The game's support for mods allows players to create and share their own levels and experiences, adding a wealth of replayability.”
“Overall, this game is so amazing and has high replay value as you can go back into any level and try to get the badges or look for the secrets in the level.”
“The modding community has embraced Dusk, creating everything from new levels to total conversions, extending the game's lifespan and making it endlessly replayable.”
“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.”
“The main issue is that it's a missed opportunity and has a chance to kill replayability.”
- optimization70 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 9 % 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 devices, while others report issues like stuttering and tearing, particularly on high-end PCs. Despite some technical hiccups, the majority of users appreciate the extensive customization options and the developers' efforts to improve performance through updates. In general, the game is considered well-optimized for a retro FPS experience, allowing for high frame rates and enjoyable gameplay.
“The movement is fast and exciting, the performance is butter smooth, the retro 3D graphics look extremely convincing, and the weapons feel great.”
“You can easily note how much effort the team behind the game put in 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.”
“Dusk is an absolute masterpiece: fantastic sound design and music, great optimization, fun, intense gameplay, and some legitimately horrifying sequences to keep you on edge the whole time.”
“Performance on a high-end PC was terrible with a lot of headache-inducing stuttering.”
“I've seen reviews on here of people mentioning the bad performance and the other problems, and it kinda seems like the devs are not interested in doing any work on it and they seem to just want you to use mods which are community-made.”
“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.”
- grinding51 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, with many players feeling that navigation, key-hunting, and combat mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment. While some aspects, like finding secrets, can be engaging, the repetitive nature of gameplay and outdated design elements often lead to frustration and a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is described as having moments of fun but ultimately succumbing to grind-heavy mechanics that can make extended play 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.”
“Dusk is the FPS as it was meant to be played: no lootboxes, no random drops, no grinding to unlock weapons.”
“Every fight feels tedious as shit because I have no wiggle room to make a single mistake, meaning I can't enjoy the feeling of just decimating enemies.”
“The slow and tedious navigation cannibalizes the thrilling pace of the gunplay.”
“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, or their much more intricate gameplay elements.”
- emotional50 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotional responses to the game, from nostalgia and empowerment to fear and exhilaration. Many highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings reminiscent of classic FPS titles, while others note its chaotic and sometimes terrifying atmosphere that can lead to genuine emotional reactions, including joy and anxiety. The combination of engaging gameplay, memorable music, and a sense of community contributes to a heartfelt experience that resonates deeply with players.
“A deeply emotional, thought-provoking 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.”
“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.”
- stability50 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 66 % 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 low-end hardware (Intel 4600 iGPU), and it also works flawlessly on Linux.”
“The game runs great on my hardware, and it feels great to play.”
“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, so... yeah.”
“But there are a fair amount of bugs and glitches that I am experiencing currently that kind of ruin the game.”
- monetization25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 68 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is largely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the absence of microtransactions, loot boxes, or other modern monetization tactics that often plague contemporary titles. Instead, players appreciate the game's focus on delivering a genuine retro experience without the distractions of corporate cash grabs, reinforcing its status as a worthy homage to classic first-person shooters. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes gameplay and player experience over monetization schemes, making it a refreshing departure from the norm.
“Dusk should get a GOTY 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 lootboxes or other microtransactions, no other modern AAA game nonsense, multiplayer mode, an upcoming co-op mode, and amazing boss fights.”
“It reminds us of the time when there was just a focus on great games over heavy microtransaction business models.”
“Dusk is another bland, soulless cash grab that tries to appeal to fans of older shooters but only succeeds by being barely functional.”
“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.”
“Do you wish it was the 90's and you didn't have microtransactions, politics, lootboxes, or marketing pushing some movie writer being better than a game writer?”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its impressive design and depth, particularly in the variety of enemies, each with unique functions that enhance gameplay. However, while the character and level designs are praised for their creativity and effectiveness, the game lacks layered character development and scripted story sequences, making it less suitable for players seeking a rich narrative experience.
“☐ has depth and character development.”
“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.”
“☐ has depth and character development”
“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.”
