The Dark is a solo tabletop roleplaying game about being lost in a darkness that seeks to overtake you, and your desperate clinging to the memories of those you loved. You’ll play as the last remaining of a group of friends who set out for adventure in the wilderness in Scandinavia. All was well until the path was lost in the midst of a dense forest, one by one your friends were taken by an encroaching preternatural darkness.
Are you afraid of the dark? You may well be after playing this solo journaling game! One thing that stood out to me immediately is the suggestion to play the game by the light of four candles, extinguishing all other lights in the room – these candles can, and most likely will, go out as you play. Very cool atmosphere, just be sure not to strain your eyes. I enjoy the classic “you can journal this” suggestion being accompanied by the “or make recordings on your phone”. Immediately reminded me of found footage horror films – it would be pretty neat to rewatch your playthrough and see there being less and less light as the candles went out. Such a smart way to put you into the oppressive, encroaching darkness of the game world.
Prompts are divided between your dearly departed friends: the close, childhood, work, and school friend. Through the prompts you progress the story towards your (likely) inevitable demise or (unlikely) salvation, but more than that you’re expanding on the relationships between you and the friends you came out here with. I’m a big fan of the prompts being divided this way, and like the focus on the relationship with each friend.
Will your memories allow you to break through the all encompassing dark? There’s only one way to find out if you make it out of the forest…
You can pick up The Dark for $8.00 USD on Itch.
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