Skip to main content

Tokyo Dark

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.
Tokyo Dark Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
story, music
stability, grinding
84% User Score Based on 791 reviews
Critic Score 72%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCMac OSWindows
Buy Nowfrom $4.99
Buy NowGet on Steam $17.99
Tokyo Dark Game Cover

About

Tokyo Dark is a single player puzzle game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Cherrymochi and was released on September 7, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

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…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
Tokyo Dark screenshot
+5
Skip User Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 791 reviews
story299 positive mentions
stability33 negative mentions
  • Engaging and well-written story that keeps players invested throughout.
  • Unique SPIN system that tracks player choices and affects character interactions.
  • Beautiful art style and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Game-breaking bugs that can prevent progress, with no clear resolution from developers.
  • Limited replayability due to tedious dialogue and lack of meaningful choices in subsequent playthroughs.
  • Short length (around 4-6 hours) for the price, which may not justify the cost for some players.
  • story
    758 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Tokyo Dark" is a dark and engaging detective narrative that intertwines elements of horror, psychological thriller, and Japanese mythology, centering on Detective Itō as she investigates her partner's disappearance amidst supernatural occurrences. While the game features multiple endings influenced by player choices, some reviewers noted that the story can feel linear and predictable at times, with certain plot points lacking depth or resolution. Overall, the narrative is praised for its atmosphere and character development, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a complex or non-linear experience.

    • “In modern-day Tokyo, legend tells of a door deep in Tokyo’s sewers and all who enter are lost forever. It's one of the many old stories of this city that has seen wars, natural disasters, and death for centuries. To Detective Ito, the story becomes reality.”
    • “The story is very deep and dark, with almost only bad endings. It captures the player's attention and keeps them engaged throughout.”
    • “Tokyo Dark is a storytelling masterpiece. It features a rich story, countless choices, and consequences that make the gameplay experience immersive and compelling.”
    • “The story is predictable, the characters are lacking, and the repetitiveness was mind-numbing.”
    • “It's just a story that makes no sense, is predictable and boring.”
    • “The story itself isn't too well written at all.”
  • music
    177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and fit the game's themes, creating a creepy and immersive experience. While some tracks are noted for their quality and effectiveness, others are criticized for being repetitive or mismatched with the on-screen action. Overall, the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional and horror elements.

    • “The soundtrack is good with plenty of great music that really fits with the game's themes.”
    • “My joy associated with this game is linked primarily to the beautiful settings, and effective use of music and ambience to create a unique atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack is perfect; unnerving when it needs to be, calming when it needs to be, and most importantly, terrifying when it needs to be.”
    • “The whole audio is usually just some song on loop, probably because the crappy engine could not afford sound design.”
    • “Unfortunately, in some areas of the game, the music was too overjoyed for said scenes and maybe a bit too loud, which in a way killed the mood of the main story.”
    • “I understand that it was a Kickstarter-backed game, but the music loops after a while and can get on your nerves.”
  • gameplay
    142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Tokyo Dark" is primarily a point-and-click adventure combined with visual novel elements, allowing players to explore environments and make choices that influence the story. While the narrative and art are praised, many reviewers note significant issues such as bugs, a lack of meaningful puzzles, and an underutilized spin system that doesn't greatly impact gameplay. Overall, the experience is described as engaging but flawed, with a focus on storytelling over complex gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay and the concept of the spin system are very interesting and enjoyable.”
    • “I got completely hooked on the story and gameplay – so much so that I couldn't resist going for all the achievements and endings.”
    • “The story is interesting, the gameplay works well, the art is awesome, and the music really fits the scenes.”
    • “What's worse, the game itself is quite buggy, with awkward UI elements, glitches interfering with gameplay, and stats being saved incorrectly when saving and quitting at the wrong time.”
    • “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 the 'wrong' order, while the order is not communicated to you in any way.”
    • “The gameplay is very limited; stats don’t really affect much, and the worst bit – the story is kind of weak.”
  • graphics
    139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Tokyo Dark" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the clean and stylish anime art style that effectively captures the atmosphere of Tokyo, particularly through vibrant colors and detailed environments. However, some players note inconsistencies in the art style and mention minor graphical glitches that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received for their artistic quality, opinions vary on their execution and impact on gameplay.

    • “The graphic art style is really good with a good use of colors that really highlight Tokyo, especially with bright pink cherry blossom trees in a local temple, to the neon lights of Tokyo. It also has a lot of eye-catching designs and scenery that's just a joy to look at.”
    • “The graphics and animations in this game were very well put together.”
    • “The visuals are also very nice, the anime style works really well with the dynamic lighting they have going on; nothing feels out of place really.”
    • “Don't let the art style fool you; it's mediocre at best, and your time would be much better spent on other games in the point-and-click genre.”
    • “The 2D environmental artwork, especially the ones that dress the buildings in Akihabara and Kabukicho, looks amateurish and out of place, as if they belong in another game.”
    • “The graphics options in the game are also very limited, allowing the player to only change whether the game is windowed or full screen, brightness and contrast options, text size, language, and dynamic lighting options.”
  • atmosphere
    121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of art, music, and storytelling, creating a unique and eerie experience that enhances the overall gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of sound and visuals to build tension and immerse players in a dark, mysterious world, often comparing it to classic horror titles. While some mention minor issues with sound levels and bugs, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of psychological horror and narrative-driven experiences.

    • “My joy associated with this game is linked primarily to the beautiful settings, and effective use of music and ambience to create a unique atmosphere.”
    • “The background of the different locations perfectly sets the mood and the atmosphere in the story - from the lightning and flashing images of the creepy scenes and dark areas, to the colorful and full motion scenery of other districts of the city.”
    • “The atmosphere created through the setting throughout the game adds to its eeriness.”
    • “The atmosphere is really creepy and the music provides an extra layer of chills.”
    • “While they're good, the tracks loop often and it becomes apparent that a lot of the ambient noise you think is being controlled to fit the game's atmosphere is just a part of the soundtrack.”
    • “Its horror comes from making you feel uneasy with its heavy and oppressive atmosphere without using unexpected jumpscares.”
  • replayability
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability primarily due to its multiple endings, with players noting up to 11 different outcomes based on their choices. While some reviewers found the core experience relatively short (around 3-6 hours), the branching paths and new game+ features encourage players to revisit the game for a deeper exploration of its story and characters. However, a few users expressed that the replay value diminishes after exploring the various endings.

    • “Spooky visual novel type game, but cute character designs, multiple endings, and a lot of replay value which adds to the story.”
    • “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.”
    • “Great story, interesting characters, and a ton of replay value.”
    • “Not a lot of replay value.”
    • “A secondary playthrough is something you'll want to do, but the game has no real replay value once you've explored your interests.”
    • “At a total of 11 endings, there is a fair amount of replayability, but not much content.”
  • stability
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which range from minor aesthetic issues to more significant gameplay interruptions, including game freezes and incorrect dialogue displays. While some players find the glitches tolerable or even enhancing the game's surreal atmosphere, many recommend avoiding the game until it receives substantial fixes, as the stability issues detract significantly from the overall experience. Overall, the game's stability is considered poor, with persistent problems that have not been adequately addressed over the years.

    • “It scaled perfectly on my monitor’s native resolution, featured no frame rate drops (stable 60fps at all times), and I encountered no glitches, bugs, or crashes to desktop.”
    • “The game is really buggy, I don't recommend it at all, and apparently there's a new version of this game that is only on Nintendo Switch & PS4, screwing over PC gamers.”
    • “Seven years and this game is still a mess full of bugs and glitches.”
    • “Game crashes are frequent and so are UI glitches.”
  • emotional
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartwarming moments to heartbreaking endings, often leading players to tears. The branching narrative allows for deep character exploration, making choices feel impactful and resonant with the player's emotional state. While it incorporates elements of horror and supernatural themes, the game successfully balances these with touching storytelling and well-developed characters, creating a rich emotional experience.

    • “I actually shed a tear or two during some of the endings.”
    • “Emotionally charged, branching plot with multiple points of choice is great.”
    • “They really made me feel that I can't save everyone and I have to live with the consequences of my choices.”
  • grinding
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when replaying for different endings or navigating lengthy dialogue sections. The lack of manual save options and a more efficient text skip function exacerbates the repetitiveness, making the experience feel overly drawn out and boring. Overall, while the game offers multiple endings, the process of reaching them is often described as a grind.

    • “The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worthwhile.”
    • “Grinding is a necessary part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
    • “While there are moments of grinding, the sense of achievement after leveling up is incredibly satisfying.”
    • “However, in subsequent playthroughs while more save files are unlocked, you still have to replay the game which eats up a large chunk of time with many of the same events occurring, making acquiring other endings beyond your other ends tedious.”
    • “My only complaint is how tedious the game becomes when you’re simply trying to click through to get to a new section or ending you hadn’t yet seen.”
    • “For a game with 11 endings, the lack of the ability to save manually makes seeing the other endings tedious, and I'm not inclined to spend my time doing it, even with the spoilers in new game plus mode.”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the solid character designs and appealing animations, particularly for the lead character. However, some reviewers feel that the dialogue and depth of secondary characters could be improved to enhance overall character development. The game's replay value and multiple endings contribute positively to the narrative experience, despite some criticism of the animation style and secondary character designs.

    • “Spooky visual novel type game, but cute character designs, multiple endings, and a lot of replay value which adds to the story.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • humor
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the blend of dark and light-hearted moments, while others feel that much of the humor falls flat. There are instances of engaging and entertaining dialogue, with a few standout funny moments, but overall, the comedic elements may not resonate with everyone. The game successfully balances its darker themes with occasional humor, creating a unique atmosphere that some find enjoyable.

    • “The darker aspects of the game are diluted even further with a lot of cute and funny dialogue and scenes sprinkled in all throughout.”
    • “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.”
    • “(as a cat-lover myself) this was a nice and funny contrast to all the dark themes :)”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is inconsistent; while it runs smoothly on some systems, particularly for simple 2D gameplay, it struggles on mid-tier machines. Some users report improved performance after patches, but overall experiences vary significantly based on hardware.

    • “For a simple 2D gameplay, this game runs smoothly.”
    • “Optimization: runs smoothly without any trouble.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and the story is engaging throughout, with exploration being rewarded.”
    • “The game's performance leaves much to be desired.”
    • “I'm not sure if it's due to system performance or if they have patched it now.”
Skip Critic Reviews

72%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Tokyo Dark

5h Median play time
7h Average play time
5-10h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Tokyo Dark

Games Like Tokyo Dark

Call of Cthulhu Image
73%8.4kreviews

Call of Cthulhu

2018Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+7
Blacksad: Under the Skin Image
71%3kreviews

Blacksad: Under the Skin

2019Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+7
The Detail Image
73%652reviews

The Detail

2014Action
LinuxPCMac OS+1
Lacuna Image
89%992reviews

Lacuna

2021Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+6
Oxenfree Image
86%8.6kreviews

Oxenfree

2016Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+15
More games like Tokyo Dark
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo Dark is a puzzle game with horror and mystery themes.

Tokyo Dark is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Tokyo Dark.

Tokyo Dark was released on September 7, 2017.

Tokyo Dark was developed by Cherrymochi.

Tokyo Dark has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Tokyo Dark is a single player game.

Similar games include Call of Cthulhu, Blacksad: Under the Skin, The Detail, Lacuna, Oxenfree and others.