Review: Dark and Deep.

Developer: Walter Woods

Genres: Indie game, Action game, Adventure

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Publisher: Walter Woods

Games created by a single individual always astonish me. I have little knowledge in game development, but it always amazes me how something can be created from scratch by one person. Dark and Deep’s ambitions are astounding. It’s a cosmic horror game that experiments with numerous techniques to keep the gameplay interesting while also using fear to make you feel uneasy and on edge. While it isn’t especially frightening, I admire what Walter Woods has done in providing some puzzles that try new things, even if some of the controls don’t always work as they should.

Dark and Deep begins with Samuel, the game’s protagonist, in the back of a van listening to a conspiracy podcast. Suddenly, the van plummets off a cliff, the back doors open, and a dead body wrapped in garbage bags flies out, all while you descend with it. Furthermore, you notice a fascinating woman with white hair staring at you as you descend. It’s a powerful beginning that leaves you alone in a dark tunnel with only a mirror and little to go on.

Throughout Dark and Deep, you’ll find scattered notes and photographs, environmental puzzles to complete, and unique mirrors that may be utilized for a variety of purposes, like defeating creepy monsters and discovering secret messages and treasures in the dark. There are also pools of embers that you can reach into, grasp, and use to influence the antique machinery you discover along the path. It’s an intriguing notion at first, and the visuals are occasionally entertaining, but some locations are far too dark and unpleasant.

When it comes to puzzles, some are clever, while others are just frustrating because the movement isn’t fluid. Jumping is floaty, making traversing hard, and some areas remain covered by darkness for much too long. These annoyances are outweighed by the writing, or at least the tale, which can be entertaining, especially as you watch Samuel’s actual world merge with the nightmare he finds himself in. Horror isn’t always about scaring the player with blood, gore, and jump scares, particularly cosmic ones. Walter Woods has a tremendous grasp on cosmic horror, creating frightening landscapes that frighten rather than traumatize.

Dark and Deep are full with possibility. Fending off attackers with your frame and traveling about are the most frustrating aspects of the game, however some of the environments are stunning. Even if the gameplay occasionally falls short, you can tell how much work was put into making the world unique. The podcast episodes you listen to provide an important part to the tale, and many of these sections allow for more investigation and problem solving. It does not push the genre’s bounds, but it does try something new, which is always admirable.

Dark and Deep is not for everyone, but if you enjoy horror, it’s worth giving it a shot. My biggest complaints were that the movement was not responsive and that there was too much darkness at times, which ruined several of the challenges. There are some good ideas, especially as you progress, and it looks great at times. Walter Woods has created a fascinating horror title that does not rely on genre clichés but instead accomplishes something unique inside them.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 82%

Controls: 79%

Aesthetics: 90%

Content: 84%

Accessibility: 76%

Value: 83%

Overall: 82%

A CAPTIVATING DESCENT INTO DARK MYSTERY!

Summary:

“Dark and Deep” immerses players in a terrifying world full of secrets and suspense, with each level revealing more elements of the game’s mystery plot. The gameplay presents players with well-crafted puzzles and fascinating exploration, yet the controls can occasionally feel sluggish, adding stress to high-stakes moments. The ambient visuals are particularly striking, immersing players in a stunningly spooky world that matches the game’s frightening story. Dark and Deep, with its rich content and consistent mix of suspense and discovery, invites players to confront the unknown. A captivating excursion for enthusiasts of evocative adventures.