- March 1, 2019
- Sirhaian
- 4h median play time
When the Darkness comes
When the Darkness Comes is a surprisingly smart horror game that manages to blend in introspective narrative elements seamlessly.
Platforms
About
"When the Darkness Comes" is a symbolic and introspective walking simulator that explores themes of fear, loneliness, and despair. Players navigate a stark world filled with philosophical musings, as they ponder questions about meaning, determination, and humanity. The game, inspired by the developer's personal struggles, aims to express complex emotions and provides an experience that is both thought-provoking and deeply personal, taking around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. However, its heavy themes and abstract nature may not appeal to all players.











- Incredibly meaningful experience that resonates deeply with themes of depression and anxiety.
- Beautiful visuals and sound design that enhance the emotional impact of the game.
- Unique gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate the story and its messages.
- Gameplay can be frustrating, particularly during platforming sections that are difficult to navigate.
- The game may trigger negative emotions for those currently struggling with mental health issues, as warned by the developer.
- Some players found the narrator's voice annoying and the pacing slow, which detracted from the overall experience.
story
409 mentions Positive Neutral NegativeThe story of "When the Darkness Comes" is a deeply personal and immersive exploration of themes such as anxiety, depression, and existential dread, often conveyed through surreal and atmospheric storytelling. Players are encouraged to engage with the narrative across multiple playthroughs to fully grasp its depth and meaning, as the game emphasizes emotional reflection rather than a conventional plot. While the visuals and gameplay mechanics may be basic, the powerful message and unique narrative style resonate strongly with many players, making it a thought-provoking experience.
“While moving through the story, you have a conversation with the creator and together take a trip in his point of view.”
“This game is powerful; it was an experience that made me at first not know what I was getting into, but in the end, it left me speechless and near to tears just from the first story arc.”
“I get that this is experimental and extremely personal to the creator, but the gameplay is frustrating (and not the good gamey frustrating), the scenarios and 'story' are completely disconnected and vague.”
“The story in 'when the darkness comes' is more of a guided exploration of the player’s psyche than a conventional plot.”
“The world and most mechanics were fine but the story which is all this game really has was pretty bad.”