Of these, The Crypt is the most rewarding, featuring a large area filled with creative puzzles which must be solved to progress, and a new gimmick involving the use of a severed head that you can control to access new areas. Included in DARQ: Complete Edition are the two DLC’s previously released: The Tower and The Crypt. Sadly, none of the other scenes quite match that moment, although the game does remain fresh throughout its rather short run time. There is one section involving a nurse in a wheelchair quickly approaching you, a puzzle involving a spinning camera which forces you to complete the puzzle almost solely without seeing the object that you are manipulating, and incredibly dramatic music as your very short period of time to escape dwindles – it is a magnificent set piece and a stand out moment in the game. These moments lend much needed tension to an otherwise relatively calm – albeit creepy – game. There is no combat, although there are a few enemies you must either sneak past, block, or otherwise escape. While a simple mechanic, it is extensively used and it is amazing how often you’ll simply forget you have the ability and hit a dead end, until you learn how to recognize when the ability is necessary. The first ability you gain is also the most prominent throughout the ability to walk up or down walls and to traverse the ceiling. Players can only move in a 2 dimensional frame, either left or right, so many levels require the use of levers or handles that flip the world or throw you to another world plane, allowing you to explore previously unreachable areas. By pulling various switches, turning knobs, and placing objects you’ll slowly figure out what the level is asking from you. The focus of the game is to simply experiment and explore. Photo Credit: Feardemic / Unfold Games Photo Credit: Feardemic / Unfold GamesĭARQ‘s puzzles revolve mainly around gravity or using various objects scattered throughout the world in unpredictable ways, with each level containing new gimmicks that players must figure out without help from tutorials or even in game explanations. The simple set up is effective and allows players to fully focus on the bizarre world, rather than questioning its origins or realism. Though no story is ever provided through in-game text or dialogue as to who you are or why you’re inhabiting these horrifying vistas, enough is shown that we at least understand that we are a young man named Lloyd who continually finds himself in a lucid dream state, upon which he must escape his nightmares in order to wake up. Yet somehow DARQ: Complete Edition manages to carve out a niche of its own with unique gameplay, inventive puzzles, creative level design, and a truly creepy atmosphere that oozes out of every nook and cranny of its black and white dream world. Puzzle games are a dime a dozen, even puzzle games with unique twists are rather common.
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