Dead of Darkness immediately sets the tone with its retro horror sensibilities, echoing the survival horror classics of the ’90s while injecting a more modern psychological angle. Developed by Retrofiction Games and published by Eastasiasoft on consoles, this moody adventure transports players to Velvet Island in 1985, where private investigator Miles Windham is searching for answers to his daughter’s death. But it doesn’t take long before his investigation morphs into something far more sinister and dangerous.
What starts as a missing persons case soon becomes a cosmic horror tale wrapped in layers of mystery, grief, and paranoia. The game’s narrative is deliberately paced, slowly peeling back the strange history of Velvet Island and the growing unease that permeates every conversation. With more than a dozen characters to interact with, most of whom seem off in one way or another, the game uses its dialogue and storytelling to excellent effect. The sense of isolation, much like the early Silent Hill games, is palpable, and Miles’ increasingly frequent hallucinations add a layer of uncertainty that keeps you questioning what’s real.
Combat and survival mechanics lean heavily on old-school design principles – limited resources, save rooms, and backtracking are all part of the package. The inventory is deliberately restrictive, forcing players to make hard decisions about what to carry, and managing both health and mental stability becomes vital. While some modern players may find this cumbersome, fans of traditional survival horror will likely appreciate the challenge. Encounters can be brutal, especially when enemies appear suddenly or begin to stalk you, but there’s satisfaction in learning how to avoid or confront them effectively.
Where Dead of Darkness diverges from its influences is in its psychological depth. The hallucination system, tied to Miles’ mental state, introduces both visual and gameplay twists that make the horror more unpredictable. At lower sanity levels, illusions and ambient distortions start to bleed into the world, making it harder to distinguish threats from tricks. It’s a clever mechanic that adds tension beyond standard jump scares, though some players may find it more disorienting than effective at times.
Exploration plays a central role, and the game rewards careful observation. Reading documents and piecing together cryptic clues to open up new paths is essential to progressing, and there’s an underlying sense of detective work that enhances the narrative immersion. That said, the pacing occasionally suffers from some repetitive backtracking and the occasional unclear objective. There are moments where progression can feel too opaque, requiring either trial and error or thorough rechecking of previously visited areas.
Visually, the game leans into its retro aesthetic with pixel art that feels both nostalgic and atmospheric. The lighting and color palette create a genuinely oppressive atmosphere that supports the game’s themes of dread and decay. The soundtrack also deserves praise for striking the right balance between ambient unease and haunting melodies, even if some sound effects can feel slightly repetitive over time.
Dead of Darkness doesn’t aim to redefine the survival horror genre, but it succeeds in carving out its own space within it. With a strong sense of atmosphere, a psychologically twisted story, and uncompromising resource management, it delivers a tense and rewarding horror experience for those with patience and an appreciation for the classics. It might not be for everyone, but for fans of Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Clock Tower-style horror, Velvet Island is a place worth visiting – if you’re brave enough to stay.
Score: 7.3/10
Press Play Media 