I Can't Escape: Darkness
- September 16, 2015
- Fancy Fish Games
- 18h median play time
I Can't Escape: Darkness is vague, contains random and frustrating win states, not scary, and the best part is the secrets and sound design.
Get on Steam"I Can't Escape: Darkness" is a pixelated, roguelike horror game. You're trapped in a series of procedurally generated dungeons, where every step uncovers new terrors. Survive long enough to understand your past, confront your fears, and potentially, escape the darkness.
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Reviews
- The game has a thick atmosphere that effectively builds tension and suspense without relying on jump scares.
- It offers a high level of replayability due to its procedural generation and the learning experience from repeated attempts.
- Quality of life improvements, such as the ability to save and a map feature, enhance the overall gameplay experience.
- The combat mechanics are simplistic and clunky, leading to a lack of engagement during encounters.
- Many players find the game repetitive and lacking in variety, with limited enemy types and simplistic puzzles.
- The controls can be frustrating, particularly for those unfamiliar with grid-based movement systems, which may detract from immersion.
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its thick, immersive quality that effectively combines elements of horror and nostalgia, reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a creepy ambiance without relying on cheap jump scares, instead focusing on detailed environments and strong sound design. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience with its engaging and claustrophobic feel.
“The atmosphere is thick and the length/replayability is just enough to get the most of that.”
“I have played this further and come to realize that the level of detail and atmosphere for this type of dungeon crawler is spot on, and the game mechanics and concept provide a distinctive experience.”
“The claustrophobic, crushing atmosphere of the first is present here in spades.”
“Criminally underrated in my opinion, this game defines an atmosphere of horror, unlike being filled with jump scares left and right such as Slender.”
“I have played this further and come to realize that the level of detail and atmosphere for this type of dungeon crawler game is spot on, and the game mechanics and concept provide a distinctive experience.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the straightforward mechanics and atmospheric dungeon crawling, while others found it repetitive and lacking depth. The trial-and-error approach can be frustrating for some, but overall, the game offers a distinctive experience that may appeal to fans of the genre. However, concerns about value for time spent and sound quality have also been noted.
“I had a solid 2 and a half hours of exciting dungeon delving and got the good escape ending (and the more secret traitor ending) without any foreknowledge of the gameplay, and I thoroughly enjoyed it without getting bored.”
“I have played this further and come to realize that the level of detail and atmosphere for this type of dungeon crawler is spot on, and the game mechanics and concept provide a distinctive experience.”
“The gameplay has been polished up, a bit more depth added, and visually improved.”
“This, together with poor sounds and boring gameplay, was the nail in the coffin.”
“While few, these cons are related to systems integral to gameplay, and thus have a large impact.”
“The slow burn approach combined with trial-and-error and rogue-like gameplay can frustrate, bore, or otherwise turn off some people.”
- music9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its eerie and atmospheric soundtracks that enhance the overall experience, fitting the theme perfectly and contributing to a sense of mystery and horror. While the combat music evokes tribal feelings with strong drum elements, some users noted that certain sound effects could be weaker in comparison to the otherwise top-notch soundtrack. Overall, the music significantly elevates the game's ambiance.
“Great use of sound, too, the soundtrack is top-notch.”
“Combat music evokes a 'tribe' feeling, with powerful drums.”
“Combat music feels tribal, with heavy use of drums.”
“The music gives off a vibe of mystery and wonder, which makes the horror all the more horrifying when it hits.”
“While the soundtrack is strong, there are caveats that detract from the overall experience.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally described as serviceable and nostalgic, featuring a mix of pixel art reminiscent of old-school titles like Thief and Legend of Grimrock. While players appreciate the visual style, they note that it can be a bit pixelated and lacks the polish of higher-budget games, offering a gritty atmosphere that complements the sound design but doesn't fully immerse due to some shortcomings. Overall, the graphics are considered good for an indie title, though they won't impress those seeking cutting-edge visuals.
“The graphics were fine - they reminded me of a mixture of Thief and Lovecraftian horror. The sound design was gritty and helped immerse me in the experience.”
“The visual style really reminds me of Legend of Grimrock with some really nice pixel art graphics.”
“The graphics are 'good', but won't blow you away.”
“The graphics are 'okay', a bit pixelated.”
“The graphics have an old-school vibe to them, both in the visuals and the approach (basically unguided, screw yourself if you want).”
“The graphics were fine; they reminded me of a mixture of Thief and Lovecraftian horror. The sound design was gritty and helped immerse me, but I was pulled out again by the previously mentioned problems, and the enemies are just not scary at all.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its procedural generation of dungeons, which creates a unique experience with each playthrough. Players appreciate the abundance of hidden secrets and the immersive atmosphere, making even a shorter game feel worth revisiting.
“The atmosphere is thick, and the length/replayability is just enough to get the most of that.”
“Lots of little hidden secrets to find, and while short, it is very replayable.”
“The atmosphere is thick, but the length and replayability are just enough to get the most out of it.”
“Replayability is high due to the procedural generation of mazes and dungeons.”
- story4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's story is well-crafted and immersive, with a rich setting that enhances the horror experience, though some details may be easily overlooked. Players can uncover a wealth of backstory through exploration and attention to hidden clues, making the narrative rewarding for those willing to engage deeply with the environment. However, the focus on exploration and experimentation may overshadow the central story for some players.
“It's true that the setting is quite good, as is fitting for any horror story in which the location/environment is almost a character in and of itself.”
“There's a ton of little details and hidden clues on top of everything you'll find out just in a more casual playthrough. There's lots of backstory (both directly stated and halfway hinted at) that you can pull out of the game if you merely try hard enough and pay attention.”
“Overall, the game was well done and the way of providing story and background was good, but it was also easy to miss some of it.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Character motivations are often unclear, leaving players confused about their actions and decisions.”
“While there are interesting concepts, the execution of the narrative is weak and fails to deliver a satisfying experience.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game avoids excessive grinding, allowing for an enjoyable experience filled with atmosphere and spooky moments without the frustration of tedious gameplay.
