The Dark Gift

About

The Dark Gift is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by JustTomcuk and was released on December 23, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In "The Dark Gift," you awaken in your basement with no memory, finding your home decorated for the holidays and your family gone. A mysterious gift at the door sets off a dark, suspenseful horror experience with eerie VHS-style graphics and chilling sound design. Prepare for a twisted holiday nightmare that unravels in under an hour.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews

story7 positive mentions

The game has a great atmosphere and effective jump scares that enhance the horror experience.
The story, while not groundbreaking, is engaging enough to keep players interested throughout the gameplay.
The VHS filter and sound design contribute to a creepy ambiance that fits well with the holiday horror theme.

Many players experienced issues with character control, as they were unable to move or interact with the game properly.
The pacing is frustratingly slow, making it difficult to engage with the gameplay and causing some players to feel bored.
The lack of a main menu and save options gives the game an unfinished feel, leading to a less polished overall experience.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
47%
16%
The story in "The Dark Gift" receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and atmospheric, while others describe it as slow-paced or predictable. Many appreciate the dark themes and plot twists, though some feel the narrative lacks depth or originality. Overall, it is seen as a decent entry in the Christmas horror genre, particularly for those who enjoy the aesthetics and atmosphere.
- “While the ending is overplayed in indie horror today, the story unraveling to get there is worth it.”
- “Great game, short, scary, filled with good jumpscares and a very grim story as you would expect.”
- “An absolutely magnificent realistic Christmas horror game with incredible jump scares and story.”
- “The story was a little boring until the end, but just enjoy the aesthetics of the game and atmosphere and you will appreciate it.”
- “The story was sleazy.”
- “I love the style of this game and I'd love to see more horrors with it, but it's a shame the style is wasted on this 'story' and 'characters'.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive aesthetics and effective sound design, which significantly enhance the experience, especially when played with headphones. While some players find the story lacking and the scares less impactful compared to other titles, the overall ambiance is described as intense and engaging, with a mix of dread and occasional jump scares that keep players on edge.
- “Horror atmosphere with a plot twist!”
- “Highly recommend playing with headphones as the game suggests and at a decent volume, as the sounds contribute significantly to the atmosphere in this game.”
- “The game has a mix of intense atmosphere with a few jump scares, but enough to get you up off your seat.”
- “I don't mind short and simple games as long as the atmosphere and/or story can catch me.”
- “Highly recommend playing with headphones as the game suggests and at a decent volume, as the sounds make up a large part of the atmosphere building in this game.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
15%
14%
The graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many players praising the aesthetic quality and visual style. The atmospheric visuals enhance the overall experience, contributing to the game's appeal despite some criticism of the story pacing. The unique VHS graphics have also been highlighted as a standout feature.
- “Slow walking, the story is a little boring until the end, but just enjoy the aesthetics of the game and atmosphere and you will appreciate it.”
- “I like the visuals done in the game... and the story that unfolds was pretty well done.”
- “I love the VHS graphics a lot for this game.”
- “It's unfortunate because, like others, I've played other walking sims from this dev and they always hit the aesthetic dead on.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is generally well-received, with users highlighting it as fun and engaging, particularly praising its realistic horror elements. Overall, it is considered a strong entry in the genre.
- “Very fun gameplay, one of my favorite realistic horror game developers back at it again with this masterpiece of a game!”
- “Gameplay-wise, it was alright.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is characterized by a low tone and ambient sounds that effectively enhance the suspenseful atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “The low music tone and ambience created a great suspense-building experience.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its smooth performance, indicating effective optimization that enhances the overall experience, alongside a compelling story.
- “A solid small Christmas horror with a decent story and smooth performance.”