SERAPH : In the Darkness

About

SERAPH : In the Darkness is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Seraph Studio and was released on March 6, 2025. It received neutral reviews from players.

SERAPH: In the Darkness is a dark-style ARPG featuring classic hack & slash combat with rich multiplayer gameplay. Players can combine billions of unique equipment and diverse skills to create ever-changing class builds, offering a dynamic and rewarding grinding experience. Its precise, impactful combat and varied styles deliver an intense and visually striking battle experience.

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53%

Audience ScoreBased on 214 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game has a great aesthetic and immersive atmosphere, reminiscent of classic ARPGs like Diablo.
The loot system is engaging, providing a satisfying grind and meaningful character progression.
Despite its flaws, the game shows potential for fun gameplay, especially for fans of the hack-and-slash genre.

The game is plagued by server issues, making it difficult or impossible to log in and play.
Many elements feel unpolished and derivative, with heavy reliance on AI-generated content and a lack of originality.
The monetization system is predatory, requiring players to spend real money for basic features and progression.

gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its engaging loot system and unique mechanics, while others criticize it for being unpolished, clunky, and lacking balance. Many find the combat fast-paced yet simplistic, with some bosses requiring skillful dodging, but overall, the experience can feel frustrating due to movement issues and a lack of depth. Additionally, the presence of NFT mechanics has drawn negative attention, overshadowing the gameplay for some users.
- “I’ve tried it myself and wanted to point out a few cool gameplay features that really stood out — especially when compared to other ARPGs like PoE, Diablo, or Last Epoch.”
- “The gameplay loop is engaging, the loot is meaningful, and I’m already thinking about how to refine my build for the tougher fights ahead.”
- “The combat is fast-paced but still requires some strategy, and while I’m still getting used to the mechanics, I can already tell I’ll be spending more time here than I expected.”
- “Right out of the gate, my character is invincible and the gameplay is, as a result, completely uninteresting.”
- “There is no 'buy back' mechanic at the smithy, so any mistake accidentally selling a good piece of gear can be an expensive loss.”
- “The movement feels clunky and unresponsive, making even basic gameplay frustrating.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
43%
19%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the stunning visuals and smooth performance at high resolutions, while others criticize the use of AI-generated artwork and cutscenes, which detracts from the overall quality. Although the aesthetic is likened to Diablo, many feel it lacks the polish and innovation of contemporary titles, resulting in a visually appealing yet ultimately unremarkable experience. The atmospheric lighting and consistent dark fantasy theme are noted as positives, but the reliance on AI for artwork raises concerns about the developers' execution.
- “Experience stunning visuals and combat that feels like it was designed by someone who just discovered particle effects.”
- “Graphics are pretty good and run smoothly with FPS in the 150's plus at 4K.”
- “The graphical style may not be the most cutting-edge, but the atmosphere is well-crafted, with a consistent dark fantasy theme.”
- “The artwork and intro were clearly made with AI, highlighting the developers' incompetence in using the tool properly.”
- “The sad part is basically all the artwork and voices are AI; it's very obvious in the cutscenes and loading screens, and there is something off about the character portraits.”
- “Very bad game; the graphics are bad, the FPS is even worse. I could not even go to the settings. The characters are mid at best; they do everything to look like Diablo, but it is worse.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it unoriginal and reminiscent of titles like Diablo and Path of Exile, often describing it as a "cheapy knockoff." While some appreciate the dark fantasy atmosphere and immersive world, others criticize the dialogue and AI-generated content, leading to a lack of engagement with the narrative. Overall, the storyline is seen as forgettable, with players expressing a desire for more depth and originality.
- “The atmosphere is thick, the story is haunting, and the challenge is real.”
- “The dark fantasy world is immersive, and I’m hoping the story and mechanics deepen as I play.”
- “The story is rather hardcore as well.”
- “Seems to take from Diablo and PoE and does neither very well; it's almost like a cheap knockoff of both. I tried to stick it out, but the story isn't memorable either. Combat is normal hack and slash, but skills take too long to acquire, leading you to use one skill for what feels like a slog due to the above.”
- “There is a huge value difference between what is made by yourself and what is AI-generated. If they put effort towards their own game, then I might stick around a bit, but the story and everything made by AI is a huge turnoff for me!”
- “Everything is ripped from Diablo 3; the art and story are soulless ChatGPT and Midjourney prompts. I genuinely can't see what anybody can get out of this.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by effective lighting and sound design that create a genuine dark fantasy experience. Players appreciate the relaxing yet engaging ambiance, making it suitable for late-night gaming sessions, while the community adds a welcoming touch. Despite some critiques of the graphics, the overall atmosphere is well-crafted and resonates with fans of deep, atmospheric gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is thick, the story is haunting, and the challenge is real.”
- “The dungeon atmosphere is immersive, with lighting and sound design adding to the tension.”
- “The graphical style may not be the most cutting-edge, but the atmosphere is well-crafted, with a consistent dark fantasy theme.”
- “What I like most is that the environments and atmosphere are actually dark and not just advertised as dark but once you start playing it's all softcore.”
- “The simplicity of the game adds to the relaxing dark-fantasy atmosphere.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The music in the game is described as both immersive and atmospheric, fitting well within the dark fantasy theme, though it suffers from issues such as being excessively loud at the start and lacking variety, with many sound effects missing. While some players appreciate the relaxing quality of the music, others criticize its implementation and the overall sound design, which detracts from the experience. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, but significant adjustments are needed for a better audio experience.
- “The music and atmosphere are relaxing, so playing it at 4 AM is a good way to start your day off without feeling like you need to be energetic to play.”
- “The soundtrack adds to the immersion; the background music is fitting for a dark fantasy game.”
- “While the graphics might not be top-tier, the atmospheric lighting and music effectively set the tone.”
- “There are many missing sound effects and music, unfinished animations for the bosses, severe balance issues, and so on.”
- “The environments, character models, and enemy models look nice, there is just a lack of music or any sound besides punches and zombie noises.”
- “The music is so loud and it even decided to go on the wrong monitor, the only game that has done that so far, absolute disgrace.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find the gear farming and rare drops satisfying and reminiscent of classic titles like Diablo, others feel that the experience can be tedious and lonely, hindered by a cumbersome interface and long loading times. Overall, the grinding can be rewarding but may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more engaging narrative.
- “Overall, the game has potential, but right now it's feeling like a grindy, lonely experience rather than an addictive one, at least for me.”
- “The interface could use a search or filter too, because scrolling through pages of items is tedious.”
- “Ai voices are absolutely atrocious, but I don't typically play grindy games like this for the story!”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of hilariously bad AI voices and a self-aware tone that embraces its jankiness, providing a comedic contrast to its grimdark themes. Players find the amateurish elements amusing, contributing to an overall experience that, while flawed, is entertaining and fun. Despite some negative aspects, those who appreciate dark humor in a looter game are likely to enjoy it.
- “Special mention goes to the AI voices, which are hilarious and disturbing at the same time.”
- “Despite the grimdark tone, it doesn't take itself seriously as the first voice actor you encounter is hilarious.”
- “Not gonna lie, it's so janky and bad that it's a hilarious amount of fun so far.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The monetization in the game is criticized as predatory and indicative of a rushed, unfinished product aimed at quick profit, with elements like NFTs contributing to the perception of a cash grab. While some users note that the monetization is not overly intrusive, the overall sentiment reflects disappointment in the lack of genuine effort and creativity, leading to a negative reception.
- “But I am happy that the monetization is pretty subtle despite having the icon on the top of the screen... it doesn't badger you.”
- “It's clearly an unfinished game, rushed just to grab some cash through monetization and NFTs before shutting it down.”
- “This game is a blatant cash grab.”
- “Couple that heavy, predatory monetization thrown in at the side and what you get is a recipe for failure.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a strong atmosphere and appealing character designs that evoke a nostalgic, old-school aesthetic, complemented by creative monster concepts.
- “The character development is rich and immersive, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “The game features a well-crafted narrative that enhances character growth and transformation throughout the story.”
- “Each character has a unique backstory that unfolds beautifully, making their development feel organic and engaging.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Early impressions suggest strong potential for replayability, particularly due to deep customization options, though it's too soon to fully assess long-term engagement.
- “While it's still early to judge the long-term replayability, the first few hours definitely make a strong impression.”
- “While it's still early in my playthrough, I can already see the potential for deep customization and replayability.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, highlighting buggy movement mechanics and poor balance in gameplay. Additionally, the presence of an auto-loot pet with a limited duration adds to the overall instability of the experience.
- “Movement is so buggy; balance is a joke.”
- “There is an auto-loot pet with a limited duration.”