DARQ

 PC
DARQ Image
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

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  • Summary: DARQ tells the story of Lloyd, a boy who becomes aware of the fact that he is dreaming. The dream quickly turns into a nightmare and all attempts to wake up end in failure. Lloyd learns how to survive the nightmare by bending the laws of physics and manipulating the fluid fabric of the dream world.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Cultured Vultures
    Aug 14, 2019
    80
    Even if it may take you quicker than an afternoon nap to dust off, Darq is an experience that horror fans won't want to miss.
  2. IGN
    Aug 14, 2019
    75
    Darq has some frustrating stealth encounters and an overabundance of jump scares, but those small blunders aren't enough to take away from the sense of wonder that comes from helping Lloyd navigate his nightmares.
  3. GameSpot
    Aug 15, 2019
    70
    As brief as it is, Darq does offer well-designed puzzles that are incredibly satisfying to solve on your first playthrough, each one building upon the last in intelligent ways. Darq never fully stumbles into frustration, even if it is tripped up slightly by underwhelming stealth sections. But its gloomy atmosphere and exceptional sound design enrapture you in its dreary world of dreams. Darq is full of great ideas that contribute to a tight and brief package, but it’s hard not to want for more once it’s done.
  4. GameOver.gr
    Aug 23, 2019
    70
    Considering that Darq is the work of –mainly- one person without prior knowledge in game development, it is nothing less than a highly commendable achievement. The dreamy aesthetic with the black and white filter is quite eye-catching and the perspective manipulation never stops to be enjoyable. If only it was just a little bit longer…
  5. The Overpowered Noobs
    Sep 26, 2019
    70
    Charming and twisted, DARQ is a fantastic and immersive experience that doesn’t overstay its welcome.
  6. Everyeye.it
    Aug 14, 2019
    65
    The game offers the user some very remarkable moments during the three hours required for completion, which allow the production to avoid falling into the abyss of banality.
  7. GameWatcher
    Aug 15, 2019
    55
    While there are moments where the spookiness clicks, like its hectic climax, the rest is forgettable. It will give a fright once in a while, but that shock quickly disappears. It’s the fluffy type of horror, something with the trappings but not the depth. It’s not an amateur production, but it is less eerie than it should be. Horror is subjective, but I cannot suggest DARQ for its scares. Playing it made me crave the more refined games in this genre. If you’re a streamer who needs a game to scream at, this will do fine. Just don’t be surprised if you forget about it the moment you turn it off.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. MajesticSirloin
    Aug 23, 2019
    10
    Great Game, simple and fun. Just the kind of game you can pop out of your laptop while on the train.

    Props for Devs for being honorable and    Great Game, simple and fun. Just the kind of game you can pop out of your laptop while on the train.

    Props for Devs for being honorable and not succumbing to greed. Wish you the best of luck for your future endeavours.    … Expand
  2. Nimbostratus
    Aug 20, 2019
    10
    No to greed, Yes to promises kept.
    This game is not the type I normally purchase, but any developer that has the honor and courage to stand    No to greed, Yes to promises kept.
    This game is not the type I normally purchase, but any developer that has the honor and courage to stand up to a company like Epic “Fail” and keeps their promise deserves my business. The game is well thought out and has a very interesting way of getting you hooked. It is a small game that takes very limited in time to solve.
    I am hoping the next game the developer makes is a bit longer and hope that they keep avoiding doing exclusive deals with Epic “Fail”.    … Expand
  4. therealdeal90
    Aug 15, 2019
    10
    I always wondered why the game took so long to produce. Now I know. Its simplicity is its biggest strength, with a healthy hint of surrealism.I always wondered why the game took so long to produce. Now I know. Its simplicity is its biggest strength, with a healthy hint of surrealism. Absolute masterpiece

    Put your tinfoil fat for the ending people, it will make you speculate like crazy    … Expand
  5. 21grams
    Aug 27, 2019
    9
    Best indie game in years. I absolutely love the artstyle of it - which is always very important for me in indie games. The puzzles are veryBest indie game in years. I absolutely love the artstyle of it - which is always very important for me in indie games. The puzzles are very fun to solve and environment manipulation and how it is done it's not something I've experienced before - so this feels very refreshing and original. It's quite simple yet clever game and I enjoyed it a lot.
    Downsides - well it wasn't much for me, but for others it may be to short for the asked price. However, there is promise of a free dlc, which will add more levels.

    Solid 9/10 (a 9, because I haven't rated any game a 10 yet).    … Expand
  6. VashloveNpeace
    Jul 24, 2020
    8
    First of all, I respect the creator for keeping promise on selling his game in steam instead of making it into an epic game exclusive. ThankFirst of all, I respect the creator for keeping promise on selling his game in steam instead of making it into an epic game exclusive. Thank You :D

    Secondly, for an indie game, it is worth my money and time to play the game. If you like something very psychological game like Little Nightmare and Limbo then this is a good game for you. I know the game is 3 hour long but worth the price you purchase. For their first game, this is considered quite polished and fun to play.

    Furthermore, the creator even decided to give free DLC as an appreciation for the support for the game. Thank you!    … Expand
  7. shayankabiri
    Dec 28, 2020
    8
    Very creative horror/platformer. Timed puzzles in a horror context were really terrifying and new. It's a little bit short (2 hours with DLCs)Very creative horror/platformer. Timed puzzles in a horror context were really terrifying and new. It's a little bit short (2 hours with DLCs) but it is really unique and amusing. If you like puzzle platformers, you should play this.… Expand
  8. Eldarvoe
    Jan 23, 2020
    3
    Beware, most of the good user reviews of this game here and on Steam have nothing to do with the game itself but rather about some Steam vs.Beware, most of the good user reviews of this game here and on Steam have nothing to do with the game itself but rather about some Steam vs. Epic fanboyism and if you read them you can clearly see that, I wish I knew that before.
    The game is really short (about 1 hour), which is not usually a bad thing when the game is good but in this case there's nothing really special that justifies that.    … Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Shared PC Game of 2019

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