Dark (video game)
| DARK | |
|---|---|
European cover art
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| Developer(s) | Realmforge Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Kalypso Media |
| Director(s) | Benjamin Rauscher |
| Designer(s) | Christian Wolfertstetter |
| Programmer(s) | Korbinian Abenthum |
| Artist(s) | Victor Linke |
| Engine | Vision Engine 8 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Stealth, action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Review scores | ||
|---|---|---|
| Publication | Score | |
| PC | Xbox 360 | |
| Edge | N/A | 3/10 |
| Eurogamer | N/A | 3/10 |
| Game Informer | N/A | 2/10 |
| GameSpot | 3.5/10 | N/A |
| GamesRadar |    |
N/A |
| IGN | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| OXM (US) | N/A | 4.5/10 |
| OXM (UK) | N/A | 6/10 |
| PC Gamer (UK) | 43% | N/A |
| Polygon | 3/10 | N/A |
| The Digital Fix | N/A | 3/10 |
| The Escapist | N/A | |
| Aggregate score | ||
| Metacritic | 41/100 | 38/100 |
Dark (stylized as DARK) is a stealth action role-playing video game developed by Realmforge Studios and published by Kalypso Media, released in July 2013. It was officially announced on May 4, 2012. A playable version of the game was presented at the 2012 Role Play Convention in Cologne, Germany and the E3 2012.
A reveal trailer was released on May 24, 2012.
The gameplay of Dark is based on stealth combat. Eric has many supernatural vampiric 'skills' at his disposal; he can use Shadow Leap to quickly teleport to different areas and to perform stealth finishers, make himself temporarily invisible, see in the dark and slow down time. His abilities are linked to a certain amount of 'blood points' which are used up each time Eric uses a skill. He can drink blood from his enemies to restore his health and blood points.
The game follows the story of Eric Bane, a newly turned vampire suffering from amnesia. He learns that his transformation is not complete and that, if he does not drink the blood of his sire, he will mutate into a mindless ghoul. In order to avoid being such a foul creature, he receives missions to drink ancient vampires' blood. However, an angel in Eric's view appears to guide him to the righteous path, and ease intolerable pain that comes from not drinking appropriate blood as it disappears. With a question of this vision, he tries to recover his deleted memories and his true self.
Dark received "generally unfavorable reviews" on both platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. Much of the game's criticism has been aimed at the poor melee combat, camera, script, and lack of interest in the game's protagonist. In a mixed review, Jon Blythe of Official Xbox Magazine UK stated: "DARK is frustrating, because that initial feeling of being a zippy blur of a vampire in a world of neon-lit night never leaves you. It's just swamped in frustrating design decisions, a script that lurches from passable to laughable, weak enemy AI, and a vortex of a lead character who's impossible to like or hate." Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer stated that "low-budget games can be delightful and surprising, but only if the core elements work. Here, they don't. In its best moments, this is only ever a reminder of better games. In its worst moments - of which there are far too many - Dark frustrates and irritates as only a clumsy stealth game can."
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