dungeon , loot , and slaying monsters are my vacation wish .

The holidays are a sentence for cheer , festivity , eggnog addictions , and other jolly thing , but my idea are on none of these . alternatively , my mind has become haunt with diving into moody dungeons full of deathly monsters and other histrion who are more than happy to kill me for my loot . That ’s right — I’m talking aboutDark and Darker .

Dark and Darker is developer and publishing firm Ironmace Games ' first - person dungeon red worm . It combine Pvp , PvE , battle royale , and hard-core survival to make a fantasy interpretation of Escape from Tarkov that feels like a classic game of Dungeons & Dragons , another of my favored pastime . What ’s truly impressive is that the plot is running through alpha playtests but has already garnered 50,000 follower onSteamand just as many top musician and views on Twitch .

Cleric class in Dark and Darker in tavern

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I see why it ’s so democratic . The plot is extremely challenging but an absolute blast . It offer six social class , all of which feel distinct enough that you need to taste them all . I wish to play as the Cleric and Ranger , modeling them after D&D characters of mine . This makes Dark and Darker feel so much more immersive for me , as I can envision my characters delving into dungeons and hoping that they come out live ( very often , they do n’t ) .

Despite my repeated deaths and unsuccessful person in Dark and Darker , I ’ve become addicted to research its dark corridors , fighting the Undead , and trying to elude the ever - entrench Death Swarm . My pounding heartbeat matches each footstep that read me deeper into the dungeons . Monsters and trap are around every corner , crap each meet deadly and peradventure calamitous — then there are the other players .

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For the most part , it ’s been every musician for themselves . I be given to play by the code of " approach only if attack first , " so I often die , either getting brained by a fighter or blast by a wizard ’s bolide . But to my pride , I deal to defeat two whizz who ambush me while struggle a frame mage . Through skill and , in all honesty , luck , I was able to dodge their spells and fill them with arrows . But my joyousness was suddenly - live on ; minutes later , my covetousness let the good of me , and I was slain just moments before stepping through an escape portal after return to loot two treasure chests .

Then , on the other mitt , I had an amazing interaction in my next game . I exchange to varlet , and the game decided I postulate a disablement and thus spawned me in with no gear save my breechclout . Within moment , I stumble upon two rascal fighting some zombi and chose to plunge in and assist them with nothing more than my fists . After we put the Undead down , we shared a tense minute before all three of us repeatedly crouch , signifying our friendly relationship and forming the fellowship of the three varlet .

I was n’t much aid to them , really , becoming little more than a glorified torch carrier . I found a hooded lantern that let me light up traps or item for them to strip . And so we run a risk , them fighting the good engagement and me now and then wham things with my fists or a torch . Unfortunately , our journey end abruptly when I bravely but foolishly decided to assist in fight against a swarm of zombie . My loincloth provided little trade protection as I accidentally abuse in front of my newfound booster ’s sticker . Though I die , I ’ll treasure this brief but hilarious experience and look forward to the next bonds of friendship I spring in Dark and Darker .

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These interactions are why I love this game , and I am not alone . With 50,000 + player playing the alpha playtest , it ’s clear see the game has become a hit . It provides ho-hum , methodical gameplay where every choice is a matter of spirit and death . encounter players means making a split - minute decision to engage , retreat , or talk terms . It mark off boxes for hardcore gamers and provides what may be the penultima D&D dungeon - crawl experience — I mean , it even has mimic !

Dark and Darker is slat to release in Q4 of 2023 , founder Ironmace Games plenty of time to round off and elaborate the core gameplay loop and expand upon it . However , even in its alpha body politic , Dark and Darker is so much fun , irrespective of if you make it out animated . This is why I am heartbroken that the alpha playtest ended on December 26 . While I hoped to be able to play it during my break , I will merely have to reverberate on my joyous times in the dungeon and hope the playtest returns .

2023 is already full of amazing upcoming titles , but Dark and Darker has , in just a brief amount of prison term , garner a place among my most wanted titles . I am not alone if the number of players who have wishlisted Dark and Darker is any meter reading . Part of me desire Ironmace Games will have a surprise declaration of go the playtest past the holiday , but I revere all I will find in my wishlist this twelvemonth will be ember .

For more info on Dark and Darker , mark outDark and Darker Playtest End Date ( and How to contract Up)andAll classes in Dark and Darker , explainedon Pro Game Guides .