DARQ: Complete Edition Reviews

DARQ: Complete Edition is ranked in the 63rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2022

This game is absolutely a surprise this year! It combines puzzling elements with horror and the atmosphere is getting more and more dark. It's a short title but definitely fun to play.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Dec 5, 2021

DARQ: Complete Edition is a very curious and compelling living nightmare. Fans of puzzle adventures games like Myst or Broken Sword will find the alluring mystery and quandaries to solve to be very satisfying. The art direction is impressive, and for a title that was developed by an incredibly small team, it is comparable to mid-level developed indie creations. It is simplicity in a very pure form, and that is why it works so well... at least when it doesn't glitch.

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GameMAG
Top Critic
7 / 10
May 17, 2021

Deep atmosphere, rare setting and cool puzzles are tied up with lackluster music, boring monster encounters, and a plot, that's a little way too obscure. There is a lot to like about DARQ, but be ready for many shortcomings.

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DVS Gaming
Top Critic
8 / 10
May 9, 2021

This was an amazing Indie Dev Puzzle Horror Game. One of the best I’ve played on the Nintendo Switch.

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9 / 10.0
May 3, 2021

DARQ: Complete Edition will make you play it time and time again, hunting down secret encounters, secret items, and hoping you’ve somehow managed to survive along the way for the best experience yet.

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75 / 100
Apr 22, 2021

Despite its short playtime, DARQ: Complete Edition is a good puzzle / platform game that you can enjoy. It is perfect for those who want a little scare while solving puzzles.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Apr 20, 2021

DARQ Complete Edition is a dark puzzle platformer in which you must help a boy named Lloyd navigate a seemingly endless loop of nightmares. Its lack of story and solid scares may disappoint some players, but it's a solid pick-up for those seeking a quick, creepy gaming experience.

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Unscored
Apr 17, 2021

DARQ is one of the most original games that I have played in recent times. Despite its short duration, DARQ transmits to an atmosphere of nightmares, gloomy and terrifying, from which you can only get out by solving well-constructed puzzles and with mechanics that will make your brain does a lot of exercise.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Apr 17, 2021

Still, it is hard to forgive the length, the lack of the story, and the fact that after you played or, replayed it once more, there is nothing more to do here. The atmosphere is special, the puzzles are well thought out, and the environment is very detailed, but each player has to decide for themselves how 2-3 hours of fun should translate into a price tag.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 15, 2021

DARQ Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch is a joy to play if you like creative, physics-based puzzlers with a touch of platforming. The "wow factor" from this one is an exhilarating reactive emotion for many of these unique, dimension bending solutions. If you like low-key puzzle games, with a dark Tim Burton presentation-quality, all at an affordable price then place this on your "must buy" list!

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 15, 2021

DARQ is an experience that I’m glad I finally got to play. It offers unique puzzles and mechanics within a macabre theme that I love. It really made an effort to create a seamless experience that had me playing all the way through and enjoying every moment. I will mention that it is quite short, but I don’t mind as it offered a tight experience that had me engaged the entire time.

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7 / 10
Apr 14, 2021

Darq: Complete Edition is a solid puzzle game with a familiar look and an adequate challenge. The inclusion of two puzzle-heavy additional levels help affirm its identity, but it still always feels a bit torn between its two worlds.

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8.5 / 10.0
Apr 7, 2021

DARQ manages to deliver a frightening experience without ever explicitly scaring you. The subtle themes of darkness and despair are woven into every room that slowly chips away at happiness to create an incredible atmosphere that rises and falls as you make your way through the rather short adventure. The use of multiple perspectives on a single 2d world does so much to enhance the challenge level without having to resort to convoluted puzzle solutions that only serve to frustrate the player. You simply have to think outside of the box and the solution will be there. DARQ is an incredibly immersive experience that should be on the list of every horror fan.

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 6, 2021

If you can appreciate a unique art style and want to try your hand at some creative puzzles, then DARQ: Complete Edition is a game you’ll adore. However, there’s very little in the way of narrative build-up that makes your connection to this world and the character flimsy. This is only hurt further by its short runtime, but it still manages to provide an exceptional experience.

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9 / 10.0
Apr 5, 2021

DARQ is a masterclass indiegame with brilliant level design and perfect audio. The brevity of the experience is only amplified by the uniquely grim aesthetic and the mindbending levels that make you hunger for more.

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7 / 10.0
Apr 3, 2021

A great game for a weekend or even just an afternoon, DARQ: Complete Edition packs in about 4-6 hours of spooky puzzles. Best enjoyed with headphones, its strengths are its immersive and chilling sound design provided by Cyberpunk 2077 and Hitman’s Bjørn Jacobsen, and its creative, perspective-shifting platforming within a vividly realized world. While it leans more unsettling than scary and at times relies too heavily on cheap scares, it’s a satisfying, imaginative game that is well-deserving of an afternoon. I wouldn’t recommend it to cure any sleep issues, though.

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 2, 2021

DARQ: Complete Edition is one of those titles that comes in the right measure in almost every way: a very good level of challenge, satisfactory duration, simple gameplay and an inviting art to attract anyone's attention. There is only a slight caveat about the difficulty for those who prefer a more elaborate mental challenge, as the game does not have any tasks that I can call formidable, or a difficulty setting that encourages playing it again.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Apr 1, 2021

DARQ is a unique combination of short, succinct puzzles taking place over the backdrop of a David Lynch movie. Follow the story of Lloyd, a malnourished man attempting to escape his mind-bending dreams. The 2019 hit returns, with this triumphant complete edition.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 29, 2021

Because I'm much more inclined to play these sorts of puzzle platformers on a console over computer, DARQ has been in various wishlists of mine for some time. I'm honestly glad that I waited for the chance to play this on my PS5, not only because my old laptop couldn't have handled it, but I feel that this complete edition is a polished final version and everything the developers wanted it to be. It runs smooth as silk, autosaves frequently, those scary moments have more impact when I witness them on a TV over a computer screen. DARQ Complete Edition has been such a positive experience for me that I'm excited to see what Unfold Games does next.

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GameSpew
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Mar 26, 2021

DARQ may be short, but it’s the perfect length to ensure it never outstays its welcome. It uses clever puzzles and a fantastic atmosphere to draw you in, then challenges you just the right amount to keep you invested. The inclusion of the DLC makes the Complete Edition the best way to play, and if you enjoy a mind-bending and physics-twisting puzzler, you’ll love everything DARQ has to offer.

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