Duskers
- May 18, 2016
- Misfits Attic
- 10h median play time
I grew attached to Duskers through fuzzy, real-time surveillance footage
Get on Steam"Duskers is a single-player Horror Strategy game with a good story, exceptional gameplay, and dense atmosphere. As a drone operator, you explore derelict spaceships using only remote microphones, motion sensors, and a command line interface to survive and uncover the universe's fate. Scavenge for upgrades, evade dangerous creatures, and adapt to broken equipment to piece together how the universe became a graveyard."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Unique and immersive gameplay that combines strategy and horror elements.
- Atmospheric design that effectively conveys a sense of isolation and dread.
- Engaging command-line interface that adds depth and challenge to the experience.
- High difficulty level can be frustrating, especially for new players.
- Randomness in enemy encounters and resource availability can lead to unfair situations.
- Lack of a clear ending or progression can make the game feel repetitive over time.
- story390 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is delivered through fragmented logs and clues, creating an atmospheric narrative that players must piece together as they explore derelict ships. While the storytelling is engaging and encourages curiosity, many players find the lack of a conclusive ending and the disjointed nature of the narrative frustrating. Overall, the story is intriguing but feels incomplete, leaving players wanting more depth and resolution.
“The fragmented storytelling through scavenged logs and clues hints at humanity's downfall, engaging your curiosity and encouraging deeper engagement with the game world.”
“The story is delivered via text communications retrieved when exploring these wrecks.”
“As you progress through the game, you come across snippets of story that explain the universe and reveal the mysteries that you're trying to solve.”
“Definitely hampered by its unfinished story - don't play this game if you actually want an ending (very sadly)!”
“The story 'progression' is gathered at such a crawl too, it doesn't feel worth doing whatever you would consider finishing this game as.”
“The biggest weakness of the game is story, or lack thereof.”
- gameplay359 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Duskers is characterized by its unique command-line interface and strategic drone management, creating a tense atmosphere that immerses players in a survival horror experience. While the mechanics are innovative and engaging, many players note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, with a steep learning curve and punishing difficulty that may deter some. Overall, the game is praised for its originality and depth, but it may not appeal to those seeking a more traditional or less challenging gaming experience.
“The gameplay, the art style, the atmosphere, all of it is so well put together, and I loved playing it.”
“Duskers has an astonishingly eerie atmosphere and engaging gameplay, full of uncertainty and apprehension.”
“The command line is a brilliant interface in that it is a unique gameplay mechanic that works very well to heighten the tension and suspense.”
“The gameplay loop is somewhat repetitive, but it is really satisfying to clear out a whole large derelict.”
“It's very hard and unforgiving to learn; the gameplay becomes quite repetitive, and it feels like it takes forever to get some scraps and upgrades.”
“The gameplay lacks meaningful progression on a few levels.”
- atmosphere259 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Duskers" is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, effectively evoking feelings of isolation and dread through its retro graphics and minimalistic sound design. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a haunting environment reminiscent of classic sci-fi horror, where every decision feels critical and the unknown looms large. Overall, the combination of its unique command-line interface and atmospheric storytelling contributes to a gripping experience that keeps players engaged and on edge.
“The atmosphere of this game is phenomenal considering it's essentially a futuristic Windows command prompt.”
“The tension in Duskers hangs heavy as you move from one moment to the next, the atmosphere reminiscent of an old sci-fi movie at its most tense and mysterious.”
“Duskers is an incredibly atmospheric, one-of-a-kind game where you use a squad of drones to explore spaceships that may or may not contain angry aliens.”
“The lore and atmosphere are gripping and depressing.”
“The isolating atmosphere, being only able to see things through low quality, glitchy cameras, makes you feel very cold and alone in the reaches of space.”
“The game keeps you tense, alert, and paranoid while blanketing you in a bleak, hopeless atmosphere.”
- graphics186 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist, retro aesthetic that evokes a sense of nostalgia and immersion, effectively complementing its atmospheric storytelling and gameplay mechanics. While some players may find the visuals simplistic or unappealing, many appreciate how they enhance the game's tension and overall experience, proving that engaging gameplay can thrive without high-end graphics. Overall, the unique art style and sound design contribute significantly to the game's charm and immersive quality.
“The atmosphere it creates is unlike any other, and for such a simple game, its visuals are stunning.”
“The graphics are simple, but I like the way they make me feel like I am actually a droid operator.”
“Duskers does an amazing job tying the theme of the game, its aesthetic, and its gameplay mechanics.”
“The graphics are rather simple but work very well considering the setting.”
“The graphics will put people off, but I think they will miss out.”
“All in all, the graphics didn't feel all that atmospheric, despite the filters, and after a short time, all the corridors and rooms started to look alike.”
- replayability39 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews highlight a strong sense of replayability in the game, particularly due to its random generation of environments and strategic depth, which keeps players engaged through multiple playthroughs. While many users praise the game for its immersive experience and the learning curve that encourages repeated attempts, some note limitations in narrative depth and a lack of a definitive ending, which can affect long-term replay value. Despite these criticisms, the consensus leans towards the game being highly replayable, with many players finding it addictive and enjoyable.
“Duskers is an extremely good slow-burn psychological horror, with essentially infinite replayability.”
“The strategic depth and balanced difficulty curve make Duskers highly replayable, with each playthrough offering new challenges and discoveries.”
“Best of all, the game has good replayability due to randomly generated systems, galaxies, ships, and maps.”
“Not much of a story though, so limited replayability.”
“The only downside is the lack of a proper ending / replayability - you do a lot of investigation and the game implies that once you've completed all of your objectives you'll 'win'... or at least know what was going on.”
“Surprisingly low replayability, no goal or end-game.”
- music35 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game features no music, relying solely on ambient sounds and eerie effects to create an immersive and atmospheric experience. While some players appreciate the tension this absence of music brings, others feel it could benefit from additional ambient tracks to enhance the gameplay. Overall, the lack of a traditional soundtrack is a deliberate design choice that emphasizes isolation and suspense, though opinions vary on its effectiveness.
“It's atmospheric: simple interface, no music, just sounds of your in-game computer and creepy noises of derelict ships and unknown dangers lurking in the dark.”
“This game atmosphere of horror is perpetuated perfectly by the non-inclusion of a soundtrack, bringing emphasis to sound design and preserving immersion above all else.”
“The abstinence of music and only the very subtle sound effects of the drones give it some kind of 'horror', and with the simple style, most of the scariness is only in the player's head, which is great!”
“The lack of music is frightening as it is only replaced with eerie sounds when searching ships and the mechanical buzzes of drones and beeps of the UI when you do something.”
“It lacks things you expect in a game, e.g. music, etc. yet it nails isolation to the point you anthropomorphize the game mechanics you control.”
“There's no music in the game, by intent--music is designed to create highs and lows, create tension, mood, and emotion.”
- grinding26 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 4 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many noting that it can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's mechanics and setting, they often feel that the need for constant grinding for upgrades and resources makes progress slow and frustrating. Overall, the grindiness is seen as a significant drawback, particularly for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“No grindy bits.”
“The fear factor wears off, and the game becomes incredibly grindy and repetitive.”
“After the novelty of the setting, control, and the basic game mechanics are discovered (all of which are good), the game is pretty much grinding through one spaceship/space station/special location after another.”
“Making progress is slow and 'grindy', even with difficulty options (nice touch!) tweaked toward 'easy'.”
- stability19 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 79 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, including game-breaking issues and save losses. While some players note improvements with community patches and that the game runs well on various systems, others still experience frustrating visual and functional problems. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, impacting its playability for many users.
“The game runs great now, and the developers deserve kudos for their assistance!”
“This game is very difficult and has a learning curve, but it is very playable and not buggy.”
“+ runs great and on pretty much anything”
“The game is very buggy by default but there is a community patch that fixes almost everything!”
“It would be an amazing game that I would love very much-- but it is buggy and has game-breaking bugs that remain unfixed, so it is largely unplayable for a lot of us.”
“I've lost countless saves when the game freezes and the screen randomly goes into a rainbow hue.”
- emotional13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Duskers" is a mixed experience, with players expressing deep feelings of dread and attachment to their drones, often leading to moments of heartbreak when mistakes result in loss. While the game's immersive atmosphere and strategic challenges evoke strong emotional responses, some players feel a lack of connection to the world and narrative, which can diminish the overall emotional engagement. Despite its flaws, many find themselves emotionally invested, leading to a compelling yet sometimes frustrating experience.
“For those who enjoy being challenged both strategically and emotionally, Duskers is an absolute must-play.”
“All my roombas were murdered and I cried.”
“And when you accidentally forget to close that door and you lose your drones, it is quite heartbreaking.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for causing stuttering and frame-rate issues, even on powerful hardware, which detracts from the overall play experience. Players find that these performance problems complicate command inputs and create a frustrating sense of having to constantly navigate optimization challenges during gameplay.
“Every mission, and even your actions between missions, feel like an optimization puzzle - trying to make the best of whatever situation you're in with some time to think.”
“I have a fairly powerful rig and the game still feels like it has stuttering/frame-rate issues.”
“I don't know if this is by design or a symptom of bad optimization, but it makes command entries more tedious and troublesome than they need to be.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as quirky and unconventional, with users highlighting its absurdity, such as references to "funny drone sex." The interface is also noted for its exceptional comedic elements, contributing to an overall enjoyable and amusing experience.
“Cool game and exceptionally funny interface!”
“It's strange, it's funny (well... I find it funny) and it's wonderful.”
