Tokyo Dark

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 557 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Tokyo Dark Game Cover
Tokyo Dark blends visual novel with point and click to create a terrifically dark story, filled with mystery. With eleven endings and so many choices to make, it goes well beyond the four hours of that first playthrough.
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Tokyo Dark is an anime-style horror adventure game combining point and click and visual novel genres. The story follows Detective Itou across Tokyo, searching for the truth behind her partner's strange disappearance. Featuring puzzles, stat management, and difficult decisions, Tokyo Dark puts the narrative in the hands of the player. Players' decisions change their character, opening or locking op…

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 557 reviews
story211 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • Engaging and immersive story with multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • Beautiful art style and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Unique SPIN system that tracks player choices and affects character interactions.
  • Game-breaking bugs that can lead to soft locks, requiring players to restart or lose progress.
  • Limited gameplay mechanics with few puzzles, making it feel more like a visual novel than a true adventure game.
  • Some dialogue and scenes can be overly long and tedious, detracting from the pacing.
  • story518 mentions

    The story of "Tokyo Dark" is a dark and complex narrative that intertwines themes of loss, supernatural elements, and detective work, featuring a troubled protagonist navigating a web of cults, murders, and personal demons. While many players find the story engaging and atmospheric, with multiple endings that reflect player choices, some criticize it for being overly linear, predictable, or riddled with plot holes. Overall, the game is praised for its intriguing premise and character development, though technical issues and pacing concerns detract from the experience for some players.

    • “This game has a dark, complex, and intriguing detective story about a troubled detective who lost her partner, a cursed mask, a missing girl who is involved in an ancient cult, prostitution and murders, and some supernatural elements.”
    • “Gripping story, and you have to bear with the choices you made because they could either lead to breakthrough investigations or leave you continuing the story knowing that you could have chosen better and there is no going back, making you feel gut-wrenched.”
    • “The story is intriguing and pulls you in instantly.”
    • “I like open endings, supernatural and unexplainable themes, but the story is just a bunch of nonsense with huge plot holes, contradictions, unclear motives, and it leaves you confused at most.”
    • “The whole dark/mask bearer plot was bad and underwhelming; even in the true ending where you put on the mask, it just cuts to the credits and... that's it, you put it on, the world is saved, the end.”
    • “The twists the story took end up devaluing the player's choices, making it feel like you have no control over what is happening, which contradicts what you are told at the beginning about your choices mattering and changing how the story unfolds.”
  • music117 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack as both beautiful and fitting for the game's dark themes. While some noted that certain tracks can become repetitive due to looping, the overall sound design effectively contributes to the immersive experience, creating a blend of eerie and engaging moments. However, a few critiques mention inconsistencies in the audio quality and occasional jarring transitions, but these are often overshadowed by the strong emotional impact of the music.

    • “The soundtrack makes that charmingly mysterious atmosphere complete.”
    • “The music is very atmospheric.”
    • “A very atmospheric game, accompanied by a stunning soundtrack, Tokyo Dark is a very good horror/mystery investigation game.”
    • “I do recommend this game with the caveat that this is truly very dark and even matched by discordant music in some areas.”
    • “The only criticism I can offer up is the audio/music in the game.”
    • “I understand that it was a Kickstarter-backed game, but the music loops after a while and can get on your nerves.”
  • gameplay94 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tokyo Dark" primarily revolves around point-and-click mechanics, allowing players to explore environments and interact with characters to advance the narrative. While the game features an intriguing storyline and some unique mechanics, such as a "spin" system that tracks the protagonist's mental state, many players find the gameplay limited and marred by bugs, including a significant softlock issue. Overall, the experience is described as simple yet engaging, though it may not satisfy those seeking extensive gameplay diversity or challenging puzzles.

    • “Personally, I found this game very enjoyable and addicting for the storyline and outstanding gameplay for a visual novel game.”
    • “The gameplay is fun.”
    • “A gripping story and entertaining gameplay.”
    • “It just has a damn 'well known bug' softlocking your progress after many hours of gameplay (forcing you to start all over again) without any signs in the last 5 years of planning to fix it though.”
    • “Game doesn't promise anything good if you can get soft-locked from the progression during the first 5 minutes of gameplay just by progressing in 'wrong' order, while the order is not told to you by any way.”
    • “The kickstarter trailer showed more gameplay which got ultimately cut and would have probably gotten this game some needed gameplay diversity but I guess the PC crowd will have to do with this abandoned piece of software which the developer refuses to address game-breaking bugs since 2017(!).”
  • atmosphere86 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and captivating qualities, effectively blending horror and mystery elements. Players appreciate the strong soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, creating a dark and immersive environment that complements the storytelling. While some mention a preference for fewer jump scares, the game's ability to evoke tension and unease through its atmosphere is consistently highlighted as a standout feature.

    • “Very atmospheric game for late slow nights, definitely make sure to check out other endings as the game may surprise you more times than you think, a true hidden gem!”
    • “The atmosphere in-game is on point.”
    • “The soundtrack makes that charmingly mysterious atmosphere complete.”
    • “The atmosphere is really creepy and the music provides an extra layer of chills.”
    • “Its horror comes from making you feel uneasy with its heavy and oppressive atmosphere without using unexpected jumpscares.”
    • “The writing is consistently good and entertaining, with a creepy, unsettling atmosphere throughout.”
  • graphics82 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautifully animated anime style, which effectively conveys the characters and story. While many reviewers appreciate the visuals and find them immersive, some note minor graphical glitches and inconsistencies that detract from the overall polish. Overall, the art style is considered a strong point, enhancing the game's atmosphere and narrative, despite some mixed opinions on its execution.

    • “Beautifully animated 'anime' visuals which sell the protagonist's character well.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful; I loved the inclusion of the popular places, and the story itself is well thought out.”
    • “The graphics and animation were excellent, as well as the sound.”
    • “Honestly, the visuals are nothing special; they have been executed in anime style and that’s it.”
    • “The PC version of this game has a graphical glitch when transitioning between areas; the screen flickers rather violently and fast.”
    • “The art style is all over the place.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability primarily due to its multiple endings and varied paths, encouraging players to explore different choices despite its relatively short playtime of around four hours. While some players appreciate the replay value, particularly completionists, others feel that once the various endings are experienced, the incentive to replay diminishes. Overall, the engaging story and character interactions contribute to a rewarding experience for those who enjoy exploring different outcomes.

    • “There are 11 completely different endings to the game depending on how things play out, so there's lots of replayability beyond those initial 4 hours.”
    • “High replay value as well because your choices actually affect a lot throughout the game.”
    • “I am already seeing the replayability in the game and look forward to experimenting with different choices as I drive the story - while the little illustrated and animated scenes serve as wonderful rewards for your progress.”
    • “I am honestly not a fan of full replayability in story-based games, but more importantly, if a game wants to incorporate this system then at least don't sacrifice the length of the game.”
    • “A secondary playthrough is something you'll want to do, but the game has no real replay value once you've explored your interests.”
    • “While it's a relatively short experience, it's replayable, and I'm planning to return to the game for the various endings.”
  • stability20 mentions

    The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, ranging from minor graphical issues to significant game-breaking problems that can force players to restart. Many users recommend waiting for updates or fixes before purchasing, as the current state detracts from the overall experience. While some glitches are tolerable, the frequency and severity of the issues suggest a lack of polish and stability.

    • “I recommend watching a YouTube walkthrough for its story instead of paying money for this buggy and glitchy game, getting stuck in the middle of it, and getting annoyed.”
    • “Game crashes are frequent and so are UI glitches.”
    • “This is a fun and interesting horror visual novel, but there are glitches that force you to restart the game in its entirety.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players reporting moments of deep connection that led to tears and heartbreak, particularly during the various endings. The branching narrative effectively evokes a range of feelings, from horror to heartwarming, making players confront the consequences of their choices. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to blend emotional depth with its horror elements, creating a memorable and impactful experience.

    • “I actually shed a tear or two during some of the endings.”
    • “Some endings are heartbreaking and some are amusing, all are entertaining.”
    • “They really made me feel that I can't save everyone and I have to live with the consequences of my choices.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is noted for its solid design and realistic portrayal of psychological themes, particularly in animated scenes. However, some reviewers feel that the dialogue could be more engaging to enhance character depth. While the character design is generally well-received, there are mixed feelings about the animation quality, with some describing it as reminiscent of flash games.

    • “Nice character design and realistic approach on psychosis breakdown.”
    • “I really enjoyed the character design in this game, and the 2D animated scenes particularly stand out as being really nicely animated.”
    • “What drew me into purchasing this game as soon as it was released was the animated scenes and character design.”
    • “But I feel that there could have been more 'regular' dialogue from her partner for more character development.”
    • “The character design is solid, but the animation style ends up feeling a little flash game-y.”
    • “From the feeling of playing it to character design, everything is just what you'd expect from a point-and-click game.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, with progress heavily reliant on choices and interactions rather than skill. The lengthy dialogue and clunky navigation contribute to a frustrating experience, and the lack of a more efficient text skip function further exacerbates the tedium in achieving certain endings.

    • “This is such a tediously boring visual novel.”
    • “It's just tedious.”
    • “Some of the dialogue sections got a little tedious and overly long.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, with players noting a successful blend of dark themes and light-hearted moments that keep the tone engaging without undermining the suspense. The characters and animations contribute to the comedic elements, making for entertaining conversations that range from engaging to laugh-out-loud funny. Overall, the balance between serious horror and humor enhances the gaming experience.

    • “It was hilarious!”
    • “The animation looks great, the characters are interesting and fun, the conversations range from engaging to entertaining to laugh-out-loud funny; the story hits a good balance between serious horror and light-hearted anime.”
    • “The story is dark with a slight hint of humor; it is sure not to take itself overly serious but not goofy enough to kill the suspense.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback; while some users report smooth performance on their systems, others have experienced issues on mid-tier machines, suggesting that performance may vary based on hardware or potential patches.

    • “The game runs smoothly and the story is engaging throughout, with exploration being rewarded.”
    • “Optimization allows it to run smoothly without any trouble.”
    • “Maybe they have been patched now or it is system performance based - I'm not sure.”
    • “Maybe they have been patched now, or it is system performance based - I'm not sure.”
    • “The game runs poorly on my system, and I can't tell if it's a lack of optimization or just my hardware.”
    • “I experience frequent frame drops, which makes me question the overall optimization of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
5-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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