When the Darkness comes
Probably, initially it is worth noting that When the Darkness Comes is not a game. Even the developer himself - by the way, only one person - notes this in the name of the project itself. He says When the Darkness Comes is an Experience.
The word "experience" can be translated from English in different ways. For some, this is "experience" obtained in a variety of ways. User Experience in operating systems is the sensation that a person experiences when looking for the right button on the screen: it is located in an intuitive place or has to be found with manuals. Another "experience" is the experience of characters in games, which can be spent on improving skills and leveling up. Finally, experience is "cognition." The moment when we understand something new or take something already known for ourselves.
When the Darkness Comes is not a game. This is an experience.
Game over! You've won!
When the Darkness Comes begins with a huge sign in English, “Welcome! The game is over! You won! Press Alt + F4 to exit. " An uncertain male voice over the speakers echoes these words. He talks about that - everything. There is nothing else in the game, he was not doing anything, so you can safely go out and go about your business.
At some point, you can even believe these words. Around - an empty black room, only the inscription on the wall and the cameras are blinking with red lights.
No, though. The game starts earlier, even before clicking the Start the Experience button. The loading screen says “This experience is not for everyone. If you are suffering from depression and anxiety, seriously, don't play and leave right now. " And these words are worth listening to.
Because When the Darkness Comes is really not a game for everyone. This is a dark story that tells you. She crawls into your subconscious, pushes out the most secret fears from there, turns them inside out and serves them on a silver platter. Look how great they are.
So the best thing to do with When the Darkness Comes is to heed the warning. Obey the developer and press Alt + F4. And then - go about your business, have a little tea, call a friend or loved one, go outside and breathe some fresh air, frosty or hot July.
When the Darkness Comes - the game that plays you
When the Darkness Comes has no gameplay as such. This is just a walking simulator - you walk yourself, once you never press the buttons and just admire the surroundings or listen to what they say to you. Actually, this is an audiovisual experience - you only need to look at the world, which is helpfully slipped.
This is a very dark audiovisual experience. It starts easily and well - the developer's uncertain voice, which supposedly helps open the doors, pleases with humor and frivolity. But the further - the more terrible. You turn around - and you see a large inscription "Leave me alone." You wander around the level - and you see inscriptions like "We hear you". You supposedly find the exit button - and you hear the developer's voice “Ha! It's so cute! You are trying to get out of the world that I created! It's funny. ”
After getting a little nervous, you press the same Alt + F4, and ... the jokes end, No Escape appears on the screen, and the experience continues. And at this moment it becomes really scary. And the constantly ticking clock gets on your nerves.
About When the Darkness Comes
As described on Steam, When the Darkness Comes is a walking simulator that tells dark and glitchy tales designed to expose feelings of depression and anxiety through imaginary digital landscapes. Actually, this sentence is more than enough to understand what this game is all about.
The gameplay is a long journey through strange digital landscapes. In this, When the Darkness Comes is a bit like another story that is a journey through locations: The Stanley Parable, of course.
The first playthrough lasts only about an hour and leaves behind a bitter aftertaste, as well as a large "Search deeper" inscription. It can only mean one thing. The game must be played again. In general, it is designed for three "runs", and in each of them the events and decisions that occurred earlier will affect the plot.
Despite the gloomy environment and cold setting, the message of the game is pretty affirmative. It remains only to get to him. In the process of gameplay, you need to follow the light and try not to succumb to the depression that surrounds it from all sides. The game will try to break the gamer, make him submit to his will, and in the end you no longer go through When the Darkness Comes, but fight with it ...
Or give up.
Or - you start the task manager, exit and try to live as if nothing happened.
