Dark and Darker takes inspiration from classic RPGs.
In addition to many blockbusters, the most played games on Steam also feature smaller titles such as Wallpaper Engine or Unturned. But that a demo of an indie game makes it into the top 10 is really unusual: Today, for example, dared 100,000 players simultaneously into the depths of Dark and Darker. At that point, that was more than in CoD Modern Warfare 2 (about 90,000) and Elden Ring (about 57,000).
But what is this game anyway, and why is it so successful even before its release? We briefly introduce you to the mixture of fantasy role-playing game and extraction shooter. By the way, if you want to try out the currently playable Steam Next Fest demos for yourself, we have some recommendations for you:
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A dark adventure
In Dark and Darker it is indeed often very dark. But that can also be an advantage for us.
The title says it all: Dark and Darker not only throws you into a dark fantasy setting, but also lets you descend deeper and deeper into the vaults of an ancient fortress as a treasure hunter. You have to face the dangers of the dark alone or in a group of up to three brave warriors: skeletons, ghouls, spiders and other monsters lurk around every corner.
Once you have discovered a treasure and filled your pockets, it doesn’t get any easier: Now you have to escape the labyrinth of corridors, rooms and halls by discovering secret escape routes. At that point at the latest, you should also be wary of other players who envy you your riches. Because if you die in battle, everything you have achieved is lost.
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Dark and Darker: The gloomy PvP dungeon crawler explains its gameplay in the trailer
As you can see for yourself in the video, Dark and Darker is unlikely to be a polished blockbuster. Graphics quality, animations and level of detail don’t exactly knock our socks off. Much more it is probably the ideas and features of the game that inspires many:
- Inspired by the classics: Dark and Darker isn’t just accidentally shortened to D&D. The developers want to capture the spirit of classic fantasy adventure games and offer a world in which great dangers lurk, but courage and a spirit of adventure are rewarded with great riches.
- class choice: As in a classic role-playing game, you choose well-known classes such as barbarian, cleric, thief, magician or bard and then use different skills and weapons.
- Hardcore Experience: Dark and Darker wants to be anything but beginner-friendly and simple. You have to take high risks to get rewards here, and it’s pretty easy to die if you make a mistake. Then there are the players who want to get at you.
- The darkness: In the depths of the fortress you can often hardly see your hand if you don’t have a torch or lantern at hand. But this can also be your advantage: You can hide from attacking enemies, for example, or dare an ambush.
Whether there is more behind Dark and Darker than just exciting ideas cannot of course be said so quickly. Players have a lot of praise for the game, but sometimes also express clear criticism. But the title definitely hit a nerve.
Does the principle of Dark and Darker appeal to you too? Have you perhaps even tried the game and can tell us what you think of it? Feel free to write it in the comments!
