Super Dark Deception

About

"Super Dark Deception" is the first chapter of a retro-styled arcade horror game, with fast-paced gameplay centered around evading unique enemies and hazards in maze-like environments. Players earn XP to unlock powers, adding a layer of strategy to the intense action. Future DLC chapters are included in the price, ensuring free updates upon release .

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

The pixel art and character designs are charming and well-executed, providing a nostalgic feel.
The game offers a fun and challenging experience, especially for fans of the original Dark Deception.
New features like playing as monsters and additional story elements enhance the gameplay and replay value.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and balance issues, particularly in the difficulty of certain levels.
Some mechanics from the original game do not translate well into the 2D format, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The price point is considered steep for the current amount of content and the issues present in the game.

gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the new mechanics and pixel art style, while others criticize the numerous bugs and issues with the adaptation of original mechanics to a 2D format. Many users report that certain levels feel unfair and that core gameplay elements, such as enemy mechanics and controls, do not translate well, leading to frustration. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects and a skill curve, significant improvements are needed to address the gameplay flaws and bugs for a better experience.
- “The gameplay seems simple at first glance but there is actually a pretty enjoyable skill curve to it.”
- “With a gorgeous pixel-art style, great translation of game mechanics to the top-down perspective and completely new additions, this game was a very welcome surprise.”
- “I don't think it will replace the original Dark Deception, but it's the same fun gameplay loop, with a fun twist.”
- “Some levels are just unfair, and honestly, some of the mechanics of Dark Deception don't work very well in this game. I hope the game will get fixed soon.”
- “Not part of the 'review bombing', but this game basically takes the same core mechanics and issues that the original game had and somehow makes them worse to deal with.”
- “A lot of the mechanics don't cross over well into 2D.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning pixel art style and retro sprites, contributing to a satisfying gameplay experience. Reviewers appreciate the fresh adaptation of old mechanics into a 2D format, along with the introduction of new lore and features, making the visuals a standout aspect of the game. Overall, the graphics are consistently described as impressive, with many giving them a perfect score.
- “The visuals are amazing and I love the retro sprites and art style.”
- “With a gorgeous pixel-art style, great translation of game mechanics to the top-down perspective and completely new additions, this game was a very welcome surprise.”
- “The pixel art style and the adaptation of the old mechanics into 2D make the game feel fresh and actually different from the original.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The story in this game has received positive feedback for its expansion and improved storytelling compared to previous chapters, with many users appreciating the enhanced character development and pacing. While some bugs affect gameplay, the engaging narrative and animations help mitigate these issues, making the story a standout feature. Overall, players feel that the game successfully builds on its dark themes and offers a more compelling narrative experience.
- “I'm aware the previous chapters in the main game got updated since that horrible and redundant Agatha boss fight makes a re-appearance here, but it would seem this game got more storytelling than what the original game currently has.”
- “Aside from that, I love that more attention got put into the storytelling aspect of the game because I feel like that's what the main game has lacked for so long, even with the late and lackluster display of character development we got with chapter 4.”
- “I've always liked the story, so I'm glad to see it expanded upon in this game.”
- “There are still a few bugs that ruin gameplay, but the storyline and animations are closing that problem.”
- “I'm aware the previous chapters in the main game got updated since that horrible and redundant Agatha boss fight makes a re-appearance here, but it would seem this game has more storytelling than what the original game currently has.”
- “Aside from that, I love that more attention has been put into the storytelling aspect of the game because I feel like that's what the main game has lacked for so long, even with the late and lackluster display of character development we got with chapter 4.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
The music in the game has received high praise for its creativity and quality, with many reviewers highlighting the nostalgic vibes reminiscent of classic games. The soundtrack is described as exceptional, with specific tracks and character voicelines standing out, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Overall, the music is considered a strong point of the game, enhancing its charm and engagement.
- “Soundtrack: 10/10”
- “And lastly, the music was converted to fit in with the rest of the game, which just sounds amazing.”
- “I absolutely love and adore the spritework and music, it gives such a nice, almost nostalgic vibe of old games.”
- “The music was converted to fit in with the rest of the game, which just sounds amazing.”
- “Music will always be a strong point for Glowstick, and I praise them for it.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be extremely buggy and unbalanced, with numerous glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly in achieving higher ranks. While some players find these issues frustrating, they do not completely detract from the overall experience.
- “It is extremely buggy and unbalanced.”
- “I would consider it a pretty hard game, even unfair at some moments or very buggy, making it impossible to S rank (or nearly impossible).”
- “- buggy as hell”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Overall, reviewers express disappointment with the game's atmosphere, noting that it lacks the charm and iconic feel of the original. Many feel that the immersive qualities and beauty of the previous installment have been replaced by a less engaging environment, resulting in a diminished experience.
- “The original game's atmosphere is gone, replaced with something that just doesn't have the same feel. For some reason, this game lacks atmosphere.”
- “The original was probably harder, but it was much more beautiful with its atmosphere and larger zones. It was quite fun; here, it just doesn't compare.”
- “Everything loses its atmosphere, and above all, it loses its iconicity. Dark Deception is a really iconic game, but here it just loses its charm.”
- “The atmosphere of the original is gone, replaced with... I don't know, this game doesn't have any atmosphere for some reason.”
- “Everything loses atmosphere and, above all, it loses iconicity. Dark Deception is a really iconic game, but here it just loses its charm.”
- “The original was probably harder, but it was much more beautiful with the atmosphere, and the zone was big. Here, it's just not the same.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly at Level 4, where it becomes challenging due to ambushes and the need for quick reflexes. While the initial grinding is enjoyable, the later stages can feel overwhelming and require significant effort.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Level 4 was fun and not too challenging until you get all the shards; then you get ambushed and surrounded, requiring fast reactions and precision to dodge, which is very tedious in this game.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The game offers solid replayability, rated 7/10, thanks to unlockable extras such as different playable characters, game stats, and a customizable archive room. Players can enhance their experience further by collecting soul shards to purchase additional decorations, providing meaningful incentives beyond just achieving S ranks.
- “You can unlock a lot of extras that are currently not available in the main game, like different playable characters, game stats, and a customizable archive room. What I enjoy the most is that the game has actual replay value now, besides S ranks, as you can purchase more decorations by collecting soul shards.”
- “The game offers a variety of unlockable content that enhances replayability, making each playthrough feel fresh and rewarding.”
- “With multiple characters to unlock and various collectibles to gather, the replay value keeps me coming back for more.”
- “You can also unlock a lot of extras that are currently not available in the main game, like different playable characters, game stats, and a customizable archive room. What I enjoy the most is that the game has actual replay value now, besides S ranks, as you can purchase more decorations by collecting soul shards.”
- “The game lacks significant changes in each playthrough, making it feel repetitive after the first run.”
- “While there are some unlockables, the core gameplay doesn't change enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest confusion regarding the game's optimization, with some users questioning whether the current state represents a form of "reverse optimization," implying that performance may have worsened rather than improved. Overall, the optimization appears to be a contentious issue among players.
- “Is this reverse optimization?”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers note that while the game has made strides in storytelling, character development remains a weak point, particularly highlighted in chapter 4, which was seen as late and insufficient.
- “Aside from that, I love that more attention was put into the storytelling aspect of the game because I feel like that's what the main game has lacked for so long, even with the late and lackluster display of character development we got with chapter 4.”
- “The character development feels rushed and superficial, leaving me disconnected from the characters' journeys.”
- “I was really disappointed with how the characters evolved; their arcs seemed predictable and uninspired.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, particularly noting the amusing idle animations where characters perform quirky dances after a period of inactivity.
- “When you idle for a while, your character will do a funny little dance.”
- “The dialogue is filled with clever puns and witty one-liners that always make me chuckle.”
- “The absurd situations you find yourself in are hilarious and keep the gameplay light-hearted.”