The Church In The Darkness

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 153 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
The Church In The Darkness Game Cover
“The Church in the Darkness” takes the unsettling approach of realism. It’s convincing as a story of a 1970s cult, and Freedom Town is a chilling look inside an isolated cult in the middle of the jungles of South America.
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The Church in the Darkness is a top-down stealth game where you infiltrate a cult in a South American village. As a former law enforcement officer, you investigate the cult leaders' activities and decide the fates of its followers. The game features dynamic narrative elements, procedurally generated village layouts, and multiple outcomes, providing a fresh experience in each playthrough.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 153 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
  • The game features an intriguing premise centered around cult infiltration, with a unique setting that draws inspiration from real-life events like Jonestown.
  • There are multiple endings and randomized elements that enhance replayability, allowing players to explore different outcomes based on their choices.
  • The voice acting and art style are well-executed, contributing to an atmospheric experience that immerses players in the cult environment.
  • The gameplay is often criticized for being clunky and unpolished, with basic stealth mechanics that can feel frustrating and repetitive.
  • Many players found the AI to be simplistic, leading to predictable and unchallenging encounters that detract from the overall experience.
  • The lack of a robust save system and the absence of meaningful consequences for player actions can make the game feel less engaging and immersive.
  • gameplay77 mentions

    The gameplay has been widely criticized for its simplistic and repetitive mechanics, primarily revolving around basic stealth elements that feel dull and poorly executed. While the game offers an intriguing premise with multiple endings and randomized objectives, the core gameplay loop lacks depth and variety, leading to a stale experience. Many reviewers noted that the controls and overall mechanics need significant improvement to enhance player engagement and enjoyment.

    • “I recommend it - such a thoughtful game and compelling gameplay!”
    • “The voice acting is terrific and I really enjoy the stealth mechanic.”
    • “For the gameplay, it's simple, but I like searching everything to try to find some of the more unique equipment, like the alarm or the tranquilizer gun I got in the alpha - I think I have to replay to unlock it in this version.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay is limited to a basic hide and seek or slaughter everyone game with very little interaction.”
    • “The gameplay is just absolutely appalling though, it's beyond redeemable.”
    • “Playing it again is not different; it's the same identical boring gameplay, and because of that, this game isn't worth its price tag at all, not even close to it.”
  • story64 mentions

    The game's story, inspired by the real-life events of Jim Jones and Jonestown, offers an intriguing premise with a cult-infiltration theme, but it suffers from average storytelling and a lack of backstory. While the narrative features multiple endings and some engaging elements, players often find the gameplay frustrating and the quests repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game is recommended for those seeking a unique story-driven stealth experience, especially if they appreciate the setting and the potential for exploration within the narrative.

    • “The playing time is not very long, but the story and the many different endings you can get from this game are absolutely ingenious.”
    • “Richard Rouse III is a master storyteller and game designer!”
    • “It's convincing as a story of a 1970s cult, and Freedom Town is a chilling look inside an isolated cult in the middle of the jungles of South America.”
    • “You have no real backstory and minimal setup for the adventure to come.”
    • “It doesn't hold up as a story game, nor does it hold up as anything else.”
    • “I haven't even unlocked many of the different story events in the game - I wish those were a little clearer; most of the quests end up being fetch quests.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as average but visually appealing, featuring a well-crafted art style and character design that enhances the overall aesthetic. While some players appreciate the simplistic and slightly stylized visuals, reminiscent of PS2-era graphics, others note that the graphics are a bit rough around the edges. Overall, the artwork and atmosphere contribute positively to the game's experience, despite its modest production values.

    • “The art is well made with a really nice art style and well-designed characters.”
    • “Beautiful artwork throughout the game.”
    • “The game offers some okay graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some good attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
    • “The graphics are pretty average but it still looks really pretty.”
    • “Exploitive cult simulator with sweet PS2 retro graphics.”
    • “The modest art style doesn't bother me, as the game was made by a small team on a tight budget.”
  • music14 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, with an ominous score that heightens tension, particularly during moments of danger. The soundtrack, though infrequent, features a notable emphasis on electric guitar, contributing to the overall psychological horror experience. Voice acting is also highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the immersive environment, although some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain performances.

    • “The OST is pretty good, and the voice acting is really strong for the leaders, while the rest of the characters are pretty alright.”
    • “I love the church steeple against the hazy sunset on the title page, the rich, lush greens of the jungle, and the maze of paths that spiderweb their way across the encampment. The ominous, atmospheric musical score intensifies as danger approaches, usually in the form of armed cultists. The voices over loudspeakers reinforce the highly controlled environment and contribute to the paranoia that pervades this game world, and the voiceovers do not sound nearly as wooden as in other games.”
    • “On a more positive note: the art style, music, and voice acting are my favorite parts of the game and offer some great alternatives.”
    • “The soundtrack within the game is relatively rare but gives a tense feel with an emphasis on the electric guitar.”
    • “The soundtrack within the game is relatively rare but gives a tense feel with an emphasis on the electric guitar.”
    • “The soundtrack within the game is relatively rare but gives a tense feel with an emphasis on the electric guitar.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, varying side missions, and changing NPC interactions, which encourage players to explore different playstyles. However, some players note that the experience can become repetitive over time. Overall, the shifting narratives and unique settings contribute to a compelling reason to revisit the game.

    • “Replayability is enhanced by the different side missions that allow you to achieve various endings.”
    • “The cult leaders' personalities change with each playthrough, and different NPCs appear, providing a good degree of replayability.”
    • “The multiple endings, varying difficulties, and unique personalities of the preachers contribute significantly to the game's replay value.”
    • “There are multiple ways to end it, so there is a lot of replayability, but at the same time, it becomes quickly repetitive.”
    • “Replayability is achieved by throwing different side missions at you that will let you get different endings.”
    • “Perhaps I'll revisit this in a year or so and find a more enjoyable game than what I've just experienced.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag; while it features beautiful scenery and an effective musical score that enhances tension, many players feel it lacks depth and consistency, often describing it as mediocre. The environment is visually appealing, with elements that evoke a sense of dread and paranoia, but the overall experience can feel repetitive and underwhelming. Despite some engaging moments, the atmosphere does not fully compensate for the game's shortcomings in gameplay.

    • “I love the church steeple against the hazy sunset on the title page, the rich, lush greens of the jungle and the maze of paths that spiderweb their way across the encampment, the ominous, atmospheric musical score that intensifies as danger approaches, usually in the form of armed cultists, the voices over loudspeakers that reinforce the highly controlled environment and contribute to the paranoia that pervades this game world, and the voice overs that do not sound nearly so wooden as in other games.”
    • “While in the world, the score contributes well to the atmosphere.”
    • “The artwork is nice, the atmosphere of different playthroughs is subtle, yet you do get a sense of dread for some starts.”
    • “The problem with this game is that beyond the premise, some nice (if largely repetitive) scenery, and the odd enigmatic bit of dialogue or found note, it's really just a mediocre stealth game with almost no atmosphere.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through poignant messages that critique capitalism, address societal issues like racism and economic hardship, and explore themes of community and entrapment in cult-like mentalities. These heartfelt broadcasts resonate with contemporary societal concerns, enhancing the game's emotional depth and relevance.

    • “You hear heartfelt messages broadcast around the camp about how capitalism sucks, we need our guns, and how the American dream is a scam to make the rich richer. It's very topical nowadays, and points are awarded there. The messages touch on themes of racism, economic suffering, cults as a whole, the us vs them mentality, and how people can get wrapped in and can't get out.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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