Tormentum: Dark Sorrow

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,622 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • music
Tormentum: Dark Sorrow Game Cover
Tormentum - Dark Sorrow is a dark point and click adventure game with an art style inspired by Giger and a story that seems to come straight from the mind of a twisted philosopher.
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In Tormentum: Dark Sorrow, you navigate a nightmarish world as an amnesiac prisoner. The game features point-and-click mechanics and gruesome, surreal art design. Puzzle-solving and eerie encounters lead you to uncover the truth about your past and the dark world around you.

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  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,622 reviews
graphics883 positive mentions
character development6 negative mentions
  • Stunning artwork inspired by H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksinski, creating a haunting atmosphere.
  • Engaging story with moral choices that affect the outcome, providing replayability.
  • Simple yet enjoyable puzzles that keep the game flowing without causing frustration.
  • Short playtime, typically around 3-5 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • Puzzles can be too easy, lacking challenge for seasoned adventure game veterans.
  • Ending can feel unsatisfying or clichéd, with a heavy-handed moral message.
  • graphics1,533 mentions

    The graphics of "Tormentum: Dark Sorrow" are widely praised for their stunning, dark, and surreal art style, heavily influenced by artists like H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński. Reviewers highlight the breathtaking visuals and intricate details that create a haunting atmosphere, making the artwork the game's standout feature. However, some critiques mention that the visuals can appear muddy or low-resolution, and the gameplay itself is relatively simple, focusing more on the aesthetic experience than on challenging puzzles or deep storytelling.

    • “Okay then the likes, the graphics art style is really good with incredible uses of colors and scenery that's just absolutely breathtaking, I mean every bit of artwork in this game is very detailed and just makes you want to stop and stare at it all.”
    • “The artwork alone is worth the price of entry.”
    • “The art style and atmosphere are wonderful - very Beksinski-esque.”
    • “The visuals are muddy and look like a photobashed mess put through filter after filter until they look vaguely Lovecraftian and then drenched in brown and green hues.”
    • “Despite the unique art style, the resolution of the game is just lacking.”
    • “You can tell they made all the graphics first, and then someone hastily made up a story and gameplay.”
  • story1,379 mentions

    The story of "Tormentum - Dark Sorrow" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its dark themes, moral choices, and engaging twists, while others criticize it for being simplistic or underdeveloped. The narrative is often described as atmospheric and intriguing, effectively complemented by stunning artwork and music, but some feel it lacks depth and coherence, particularly in its resolution. Overall, while the story captivates many, it leaves others wanting more in terms of complexity and character development.

    • “The story is really good; it has good twists and turns, themes of good, evil, redemption, and not judging a book by its cover.”
    • “These independent creators have managed to craft a deeply satisfying and emotionally connecting story with incredible music and rich atmosphere.”
    • “The story is dark and captivating and somewhat creepy.”
    • “The story left me a bit cold.”
    • “The plot is really non-existent, except for maybe a comprehensible sentence here and there.”
    • “The story is incredibly transparent, with the crux of basically the entire game being put on full blast during the eyes, heart, and darkness puzzle.”
  • music678 mentions

    The music in "Tormentum" has been widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the game's dark and eerie aesthetic. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack complements the stunning artwork, creating a deeply immersive experience, although some felt that certain tracks, particularly the ending songs, did not align well with the overall tone. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and ambiance.

    • “The music is absolutely fantastic; each track was very good. I especially love the tracks for the rat home, how it can be cozy and soothing and then turn messed up. The tracks for the endings are creative too; if you get the bad ending, you get this heavy metal song that shows how doomed you are, but if you get the good ending, you get this sort of uplifting song.”
    • “The music is haunting and when combined with the art, it creates a really good atmosphere.”
    • “The artwork, in combination with the absolutely chilling soundtrack, makes for an incredibly singular experience.”
    • “There is pretty much no music.”
    • “The only immature music is the staff roll that doesn't fit the theme.”
    • “Also, at least in my (negative) ending, the credits get some pop metal song that really doesn't fit all the other music and overall theme of the game, and it's really pretty cringeworthy.”
  • atmosphere506 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning artwork, haunting music, and dark, immersive settings that evoke feelings of dread and intrigue. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a unique, eerie ambiance reminiscent of the works of artists like H.R. Giger and Zdzisław Beksiński, making it a captivating experience for fans of dark fantasy. While the gameplay may be simple, the rich atmospheric elements are considered the main draw, providing a memorable and engaging experience.

    • “The art style and atmosphere are wonderful - very Beksinski-esque.”
    • “The game's ominous atmosphere is both gloomy and fascinating at the same time and it suits the adventure game genre marvelously as it allows one to take in all the macabre scenery with the attention it deserves.”
    • “The atmosphere and art in this game is so creepy and surreal at the same time.”
    • “The fact that the dialogue is not spoken is a pity, since it is not so much text and a stylish interpretation of the characters could have added a lot to the atmosphere.”
    • “The dark atmosphere this game creates makes it a short yet memorable experience.”
    • “However, what I can say is that it captures the atmosphere of the game better than many other games out there.”
  • gameplay341 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tormentum" is primarily a standard point-and-click adventure, featuring simple mechanics focused on solving puzzles and collecting items. While the puzzles are generally easy and the game is relatively short (around 3-4 hours), many players appreciate the engaging art style and atmospheric narrative more than the gameplay itself. Overall, the experience is described as enjoyable but lacking in depth, making it more suitable for those who prioritize visual storytelling over challenging gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is solid, and puzzles are fun to solve, but what really captivates is the story and the art.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, the game is short, and it's pretty clear some heavy translation was going on, but my god is this game beautiful.”
    • “The puzzles and point & click mechanics are intuitive and well designed enough to keep you going, though less intimidating than the constant sense of doom instilled by the narrative.”
    • “The gameplay itself is lacking and to me it was overpriced for the total gameplay time.”
    • “There is barely any moment when you really have to use your logic skills, which makes the actual gameplay experience feel like an afterthought, almost like in a hidden object game.”
    • “The story is rubbish, the gameplay is your basic bare-bones adventure game nonsense with no interesting features that you can't find in better adventure games, and the whole experience start to finish lasts only just over 2 hours if you don't get stuck.”
  • replayability138 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability primarily due to its multiple endings and the impact of player choices, encouraging players to explore different outcomes. However, its short playtime of around 2-6 hours and limited puzzle variety may restrict extensive replay value for some players. Overall, while it has enough content for a couple of playthroughs, it is best enjoyed for its atmosphere and narrative rather than as a game focused on replayability.

    • “It has a pretty quick playtime (took me about 5 hours) and has lots of replay value if you want to dive back in and see different story choices.”
    • “There is lots of replay value, due to the choices and multiple endings.”
    • “This game has plenty of replayability with the choice system embedded in the game, giving each playthrough a different experience.”
    • “Just keep in mind that this is a game meant for atmosphere, not replay value.”
    • “The game doesn't have much replay value other than digging the artwork or attempting to grab achievements.”
    • “No scene/level select once you beat the game - no replayability.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The game delivers a deeply emotional experience, characterized by a dark and twisted narrative that challenges players with moral dilemmas and evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. While the rich atmosphere, evocative art, and heartfelt soundtrack enhance the emotional impact, some players noted a lack of attachment to the characters, which can diminish the weight of certain story moments. Overall, it is a unique and compelling journey that leaves a lasting emotional impression, particularly for those who invest themselves in the story.

    • “These independent creators have managed to craft a deeply satisfying and emotionally connecting story with incredible music and rich atmosphere.”
    • “The art is emotional, evocative, and truly does touch your soul in both good and bad ways.”
    • “If you are the type to get heavily invested in a game, be prepared to leave it emotionally wrecked though!”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in Tormentum is notably weak, with many reviewers highlighting the lack of depth and complexity in character interactions and growth. While the game excels in atmospheric visuals and dark art design, it falls short in storytelling and character engagement, leaving players with brief and simplistic encounters rather than meaningful development. Overall, those seeking rich character arcs may find the game lacking.

    • “The atmosphere and character designs are great, but the dialogue often stumbles from weird to unintentionally comical.”
    • “It's near perfection with its macabre art and dark character designs.”
    • “Plot and particularly, character development are on the 'light' side.”
    • “Overall a decent game largely lacking in puzzle difficulty and any sort of character development.”
    • “There's not really anything in the way of character development.”
    • “So, what it boils down to is that Tormentum is a visually stunning and atmospheric work of gaming art, let down somewhat by weak character development, an undercooked plot, and puzzles that may not be challenging enough for the average point and click gamer.”
  • grinding18 mentions

    Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game, particularly regarding puzzles. While many found the puzzles enjoyable and not tedious, some noted that certain minigames and moral choices felt repetitive and could lead to a tedious experience, especially when replaying for different endings. The consensus suggests that the game manages to maintain engagement without overstaying its welcome, though some elements may still feel like a grind.

    • “Easy but tedious puzzles, anything simple for the developers to code - think tile-sliding and card matching.”
    • “Most of the moral choices are essentially palette swaps (either push the good button or the evil button), so playing through twice to see everything and both endings is going to be tedious.”
    • “So, the puzzles and minigames felt really tedious.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed feedback. While some users express a desire for better tablet/iPad compatibility, others note that performance issues are minimal and not detrimental to gameplay, particularly for point-and-click genres where frame rates are less critical. A few players report smooth performance even on older hardware, indicating that the game is generally well-optimized for various systems.

    • “[*] played very well, no performance issues or bugs, even on my almost 5 year old budget build toaster.”
    • “I wish I could play these kinds of games on my iPad/tablet... just like I would play Gwent, the card game, because these games are so much better suited for tablet/iPad. There are so many on Steam that would be super cool if they were optimized for playing on tablet/iPad.”
    • “Fifthly: the performance.”
    • “- performance issues.”
    • “Performance was meh, but you don't need a silky framerate in a game like this anyway.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdly simple puzzles and a binary morality system that adds a layer of ironic comedy, though some players found it frustrating. While the humor can be hit-or-miss, many appreciated the amusing consequences of their choices, making the experience entertaining despite its shortcomings. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted take on morality and problem-solving, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.

    • “This is an adventure of insultingly easy puzzles, with a hilariously binary morality system slapped on...for some reason.”
    • “Though I tried to get the 'good' ending, I failed by a few acts judged as 'evil.' I thought what immediately followed that judgement was really funny though!”
    • “Well, ain't you a saint, which is so hilariously simple that one almost wishes real life was that easy.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report responsive controls and no bugs, others have encountered a few glitches that detract from the experience, likening it to a "buggy flash game."

    • “I found no glitches.”
    • “I found no glitches.”
    • “There are a few bugs in the game that make it feel a bit like a buggy flash game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game appears to have originated from its crowdfunding campaign, which included promotional videos to attract backers. However, specific details about ongoing monetization practices post-launch are not provided in the reviews.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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