The Whisperer in Darkness

About

The Whisperer in Darkness is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by NQNStudios and was released on October 18, 2016. It received positive reviews from players.

Rumors resurface. Legends are resurrected. In this Lovecraftian visual novel, play as Alex N. Wilmarth, skeptic and professor at Miskatonic University, to unravel the hideous secrets centered at a secluded farm in the hills of Vermont, coming ever closer to mortal peril.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews

story11 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

A faithful adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's 'The Whisperer in Darkness' with modernized elements that enhance the story.
The atmosphere is well-crafted with effective use of ambient music and sound effects, creating a spooky experience.
The writing is engaging and the visuals, while simple, contribute to the overall eerie charm of the narrative.

The game lacks significant interactivity, often feeling more like a visual novel than a traditional game.
Some design choices, such as the small text size and teletyping effect, detract from the reading experience.
The gameplay elements, particularly the 'Atari Adventure' sequence, feel jarring and disrupt the established mood.

story
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
8%
The story aspect of the game is praised for its faithful adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's "The Whisperer in Darkness," enhanced with modern elements and atmospheric audio. While it is primarily a visual novel with minimal interactivity, many reviewers appreciate its engaging narrative and artistic presentation, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of Lovecraft, though some suggest it may not appeal to those familiar with the original text. Overall, it serves as a decent refresher for newcomers and a tribute to the source material, despite some criticisms regarding its gameplay mechanics.
- “This is an incredible adaptation of an awesome story!”
- “The author made a great work adapting the story.”
- “A very interesting story with great audio and art.”
- “It's an interactive story, not really an actual game.”
- “If you have read the original story, this is not the game for you.”
- “The 'game' parts are quite cumbersome to the flow of the story.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics in the game are generally considered weak, yet they possess a unique charm, particularly through the use of ASCII art and hand-painted visuals that enhance the atmosphere. While some users appreciate the interesting art style and eerie background music, others note a disjointed mix of styles that detracts from the overall impact. Overall, the simplistic design allows for imaginative engagement with the story, despite the graphics not being the game's strongest aspect.
- “The artwork is interesting to look at, and I like the style of it.”
- “It’s a very short visual novel with a bit of simple gameplay, and both the art style and background music are so eerie.”
- “Simplistic design and great artwork help you visualize aspects of the story, whilst leaving enough to use your own imagination.”
- “It's a very short visual novel with a bit of simple gameplay, and both the art style and background music are so eerie.”
- “You are essentially scrolling through a modernized version of the original story with the accompaniment of a creepy soundtrack and artwork.”
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game is highly praised for its effectiveness in creating atmosphere, with ambient tracks and well-crafted soundscapes that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers note that the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's moody, Lovecraftian vibe, making it a key element that complements the storytelling and visuals. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, encouraging players to use headphones for the best experience.
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
- “The soundtrack is great, moody, and sets a good Lovecraft-like atmosphere.”
- “It has great use of music and sound effects that complemented the story.”
- “You are essentially scrolling through a modernized version of the original story with the accompaniment of a creepy soundtrack and artwork.”
- “The music was well done (definitely wear headphones, should you choose to play this), and like I said, some of the visuals were good.”
- “Nevertheless, it uses both ambient music or, in its absence, complete silence, quite effectively.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its effective use of music and ASCII art, which together create a unique and imaginative charm. The soundtrack enhances the Lovecraftian mood, successfully capturing a tense sense of dread that elevates the experience beyond a simple narrative. Overall, the combination of interactive elements and audio contributes to a deeply immersive and atmospheric piece of fiction.
- “The soundtrack is great, moody, and sets a good Lovecraft-like atmosphere.”
- “The music and atmosphere are very well done, and the ASCII art lends a certain imaginative charm not found in experiences with better graphics.”
- “The developer has very handily captured the tense atmosphere and sense of dread that are the hallmarks of Lovecraft's works.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by a brief visual novel format that incorporates simple mechanics, but the attempt to blend survival horror elements feels underwhelming due to the limitations of the 2600 pixel design. The eerie art style and background music contribute to the atmosphere, yet the overall experience may leave players wanting more depth.
- “It seems like the developers felt they had to add a survival horror aspect to it, but the 2600 pixel game mechanic didn't do it any service.”
- “It's a very short visual novel with a bit of simple gameplay, and both the art style and background music are so eerie.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express that the game successfully evokes strong emotions, marking a significant impact that has been rare in their recent gaming experiences.
- “It had been a while since a game had made me feel something.”
- “The story resonated with me on a personal level, evoking deep emotions.”
- “I found myself tearing up during several key moments; the character development was incredibly moving.”