Karma: The Dark World Reviews
In the end, Karma: The Dark World is a visually stunning psychological thriller that pays homage to classic horror games, but ultimately falls short due to its lack of engaging gameplay and a weak second half.
Promising start for Pollard Studio? Judging by the results of Karma: The Dark World, the answer is yes. Daniel's adventure hits the mark with engaging writing and an intriguing, oppressively dark game world. While the story captivates, it falters a bit near the end. The gameplay, though simplistic and predictable, flows well with the progression. Visually and in terms of direction, the debut from the Chinese studio shows potential despite some signs of inexperience. The foundation laid is promising for future projects.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Karma: The Dark World is a fascinating psychological horror that offers some great puzzles, an interesting story, and an uncomfortable atmosphere.
KARMA: The Dark World is a compelling experience with a strong narrative. Do I think it belongs among the horror greats? No. Do I think it’s an impressive feat for an indie studio? Absolutely. If you love dystopian themed psychological horror, this is one to add to the collection. If you’re new to the genre, this is a great entry point. The gameplay is straightforward, and since the collectable puzzles are optional, most players should find it easy enough to pick up and enjoy. Perhaps my hopes were set too high for this game as whilst enjoyable it simply left me wanting more.
Karma: The Dark World has a lot of interesting ideas, but it tells them in such a vague way that will leave many dissatisfied. Couple that with limited gameplay sections, cheap horror moments, a story that feels like huge gaps were cut for the sake of building mystery, and it’s hard to not be a little disappointed. However, that being said, Karma does have standout moments sprinkled throughout that elevates the game past its mediocrity. It’s graphically outstanding, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, and even though the game’s story is full of smoke and mirrors it does occasionally provide you with an incredibly well crafted scene or two.
The Karma Dark World is a well-optimized and visually stunning horror game that still fails to sufficiently distance itself from its influences.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
KARMA: The Dark World is a narrative-driven dystopian game where The Leviathan Corporation’s influence is pervasive; gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzles, and uncovering lore, but limited hints can lead to frustration, making it best suited for fans of psychological horror and story-driven experiences rather than action-seekers.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Karma: The Dark World rises above the crowd of psychological horror indie games thanks to outstanding imagery that showcases endless creativity and technical execution that punches way above its weight class.
Pollard Studio has created something special in KARMA: The Dark World, perfectly depicting Lynchian surrealism with Orwellian dystopian themes in this unique psychological thriller experience. Featuring lifelike character portrayals, ingenious environmental storytelling, and stunning visuals, it delivers an unforgettable journey that will resonate with you long after the end credits roll. While the final hour feels rushed, I loved how the game challenges you to confront the complexities of control, identity, and the human mind, making it a must play for fans of the genre.
Despite some minor pacing issues in its final act and occasionally simplistic puzzle design, KARMA delivers a memorable journey through the dark corners of human consciousness. It's a must-play for fans of psychological horror and anyone interested in games that push the boundaries of narrative storytelling.
KARMA: The Dark World does a great job in immersing you in a dystopian setting. The horror is prominent and challenges you to think. Some of the puzzles feel unnecessary and you have little guidance for the solutions. The experience is great if you can withstand the mature content and give the story time to flesh out.
KARMA: The Dark World is a visually stunning psychological thriller that doesn’t always hit the mark but still delivers a hauntingly unique experience. If you enjoy surreal storytelling and atmospheric horror, it’s worth diving in – just be prepared for a narrative that leaves more questions than it does answers.
Karma Dark World isn't a game for everyone. But if you do love experiencing a strong narrative and cinematic gameplay, you owe it to yourself to experience this gem.
A high concept surreal experience drawing inspiration from the works of David Lynch, Terry Gilliam and George Orwell, Karma: The Dark World is a passable debut work of Shanghai based Pollard Studio. Technically the presentation is solid, but story is all over the place and writing borderline cringe.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
So, to answer the question posed at the beginning of this review, yes, it vary much lived up to the hype. Karma The Dark World is not an action-packed thrill ride, and it never tried to be. Karma is extremely good at a couple of things and doesn’t stray from that, which I enjoy a lot and feel more games need to do. Keep it simple and don’t overstay your welcome.
Despite its weak gameplay and underwhelming horror elements, KARMA: The Dark World stands out as an ambitious Chinese title with a unique story and impressive cinematic direction. Considering it’s the studio’s first game and developed on a modest budget, the end result is quite satisfying—especially for fans of narrative-driven games with a mysterious atmosphere.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
KARMA: The Dark World skillfully manages to combine a typical walking simulator with elements of creepiness, horror and puzzles. The studio's first work shines with its impressive presentation and is brimming with metaphorical symbolism without being heavy-handed. Those who are not put off by the sometimes challenging riddles should really treat themselves to this psychedelic trip.
Review in German | Read full review
If you are into horror games and like the works of George Orwell, David Lynch or Hideo Kojima, “Karma: The Dark World” is a must for you. The world is disturbing and oppressive. The horror is not heavy-handed with jump scare after jump scare, but subtle and always surprising. It's not monsters that scare me — although they do exist — but the human psyche.
Review in German | Read full review