2Dark

Extremely under appreciated video game, i think this deserves more attention for what it dose right. Its not perfect and at times comes off as edgelord p0rn, but i do think the games style and mechanics are uniqe and compelling enough to warent taking a look at it. Other than that i love killing child predators.

Not bad, very grim story so its not for faint hearted.
Gameplay can be frustrating at times if you arent saving after doing something successfully.

Excellent horror game, with rather dark topics.
It's more survival and stealth based than I would like, but still enjoyable nonetheless.

Incredibly designed and every chapter/episode/level is so inmersive! I would like it would have been longer, because it is very enjoyable

2Dark, developed by Gloomywood and published by Nacon, is a uniquely grim entry in the stealth-horror genre that blends old-school mechanics with a modern sense of dread. Created by Frédérick Raynal, the mind behind Alone in the Dark, the game is a spiritual successor in many ways—bringing a similar blend of psychological horror, puzzle-solving, and resource management into a far more grounded and unsettling context. Set in the fictional city of Gloomywood, the game casts players as Mr. Smith, a former detective whose personal tragedy—his wife murdered and his children abducted—drives him into the darkest corners of society to uncover a conspiracy involving child kidnappings and grotesque criminal underworlds. From the outset, 2Dark makes no apologies for its disturbing themes or unforgiving atmosphere.
Gameplay is heavily rooted in stealth, exploration, and survival. The player is expected to move cautiously through environments filled with traps, deranged enemies, and disorienting layouts. Light and sound play a critical role: walking too loudly or turning on a flashlight can instantly give away your position, and enemies often behave in unpredictable and highly sensitive ways. Each level becomes a game of tension and precision, where a single misstep could mean the difference between a successful rescue and a brutal failure. The game’s approach to saving progress is deliberately harsh—Mr. Smith must light a cigarette to save, a mechanic that not only adds character but also increases risk, as saving too often can consume valuable time and draw attention in unsafe areas.
One of 2Dark's most emotionally intense mechanics is its child rescue system. In each level, you must locate and safely guide abducted children out of harm’s way. Unlike typical escort missions, the children in 2Dark are highly vulnerable, easily frightened, and slow to respond. They don’t just follow blindly—you need to keep them calm, keep them safe, and ensure they’re not exposed to traumatic scenes or dangers. This introduces a whole new layer of stress and empathy to the gameplay. The children are not tools or objectives—they feel like lives hanging in the balance. Their vulnerability, combined with the game’s grim subject matter, gives weight to every decision, making success all the more rewarding and failure deeply unsettling.
Visually, 2Dark utilizes a distinct pixelated 2.5D style that is both minimalistic and evocative. The environments are dimly lit, with harsh contrasts and flickering light sources creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease. The game’s aesthetic doesn’t rely on graphic violence or shock gore, but instead builds horror through implication—suggestive environments, eerie sound design, and haunting ambient tracks. Each level is meticulously designed to feel lived-in and decayed, from derelict amusement parks to squalid apartment buildings. Despite the simple visuals, the atmosphere is thick with tension, and the presentation effectively conveys the horror of the world without becoming gratuitous.
However, 2Dark is not without its flaws. The game’s stealth mechanics can at times feel inconsistent. Enemies will occasionally behave erratically, and moments that should hinge on skill and timing can be undone by unpredictable AI behavior. The challenge is intentionally steep, but some players may find it crosses the line into frustration, especially when paired with trial-and-error puzzle segments or finicky level objectives. Additionally, while the unique save system adds tension, it can also feel outdated, particularly when it forces players to replay lengthy sections due to a single mistake. Technical issues, such as bugs and pathfinding glitches, can occasionally interfere with progress and break immersion, which is unfortunate given the care taken with the game’s atmosphere.
Despite these rough edges, 2Dark is an undeniably bold and emotionally gripping experience. It offers a type of horror that is rarely explored in games—a psychological, societal horror that implicates the player in its ethical weight. It isn’t simply about surviving monsters or escaping from haunted locations; it’s about confronting the darkest parts of human behavior and trying to salvage something pure in the process. The tension of guiding scared, vulnerable children to safety while navigating the madness of each twisted environment elevates the game from a typical stealth horror to something far more affecting.
In the end, 2Dark is a game that rewards patience, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. It isn’t easy to play, nor is it easy to forget. For fans of stealth, psychological horror, and morally complex storytelling, it provides a harrowing but worthwhile experience. While its mechanics may frustrate and its aesthetic may divide, the game’s atmosphere, intent, and thematic ambition are difficult to dismiss. 2Dark is not just another retro horror game—it’s a disturbing meditation on fear, vulnerability, and the cost of doing what’s right in a world that’s long since gone wrong.
Rating: 8/10

2Dark
Has a total of 6 trading cards.

2dark for me but enjoyable