DARQ: Complete Edition

It may be my ever expanding library of games that I'll never finish that makes me enjoy a game that I can complete in one sitting. So I don't consider the length of the game as a negative. Especially when every chapter offers something unique in terms of gameplay and has mechanics that constantly change up throughout. I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. The puzzles, while they aren't overly taxing, are enough to get the old grey cells jogging. The game is so well designed from begining to end it felt like a good movie that you wish wouldn't end. It's a quick injection of fun that doesn't overstay it's welcome. The only negative, if you consider it one, is that it has you hooked and left wanting for more.

You refused Epic's offer. Thank you for your honesty I support your game only for that, hoping that I like it as much as your ethics!

Similar to: Braid, Limbo, Inside This psychological horror themed puzzle-solving game doesn't take long to finish but the experience is worthy. Well-executed scares, bizarre body horror, and creepy imagery are paced out nicely and don't distract overmuch from the core gameplay. The puzzles themselves are clever and don't get repetitive. You'll have just enough time to catch on to a handful of interesting mechanics but they aren't overly difficult to pick up on. The effect is that the game feels well paced but perhaps too short - as if there's maybe just one or two more levels that could have taken advantage of the puzzle elements and told just a bit more of Lloyd's story.

The concept, visuals and atmosphere of DARQ are great and altogether make for an actually creepy horror game. The gameplay mechanics had me surprised quite a few times and I love how the change of perspective is implemented most of the time. The creature design is incredibly creative. Until about halfway through, it was engaging and interesting. The puzzles are generally not too difficult, yet not bland. After that point, however ... timed puzzles were introduced. Personally I found the puzzles in the second half of the game quite frustrating due to certain mechanics that may seem cool in theory, but are annoying to play. The enemies, while well-designed, don't do anything interesting, and the way to get past is the same with all of them. The final bit of the game is a trial and error chase sequence. Maybe I've missed some signs telling me what to do, but I had difficulties noticing stuff due to the graphics. (And I do like the visual style, it just doesn't seem suitable for something like this.) The ending was ... confusing at best. On that note, there aren't really any explanations for anything that's happening, and the out-of-nowhere ending doesn't help with that at all. I don't mind vague stories, but they have to be done very well to actually work. This one just doesn't do it for me. I'd still recommend DARQ, but only on sale. It's obvious that a lot of work and talent has gone into this, and some free DLC has been announced, but unfortunately the game still left me disappointed (which, on a side note, has nothing to do with it being "only" 2-3 hours long).