The team at Unfold Games has been hard at work on their psychological horror game, DARQ, and their hard work and dedication are evident in their new teaser trailer. Set to release sometime later this year, DARQ is an example of lucid dreaming gone bad.
Lloyd, our main character, has suddenly become aware that he is dreaming. While lucid dreaming is something that many strive to achieve, Lloyd quickly discovers its dangers. After your dream turns to a nightmare, DARQ is a fight for survival as all attempts to wake yourself result in failure. Stealth is an important aspect in order to avoid the creepy baddies shown in the trailer above, but the gravity-defying puzzles and fluidity if the dream world itself might hold the key to your ultimate survival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=0dc-jjVgBMQ
Wlad Marhulets, DARQ‘s director, programmer, and music composer, says, “the game breaks its own rules all the time which puts the player in the state of constant uncertainty and anticipation.” This unsettling effect is clearly shown in the trailer above with the shifts in perception, angles, and the use of the 3D effects.
While DARQ is definitely a horror experience, its use of tension to create an intense atmosphere versus jump scares is what truly sets the game apart:
The game is designed to be a moving artistic experience. Elegance is the key word in DARQ’s art direction – it serves as a means of seduction, or an invitation for the player to step in and develop and emotional connection with the experience as they progress. The goal is to make the player like being there, even though being there involves facing their fears.
DARQ is set to release later this year on PC with a console release to, hopefully, follow afterward. Are you looking forward to Unfold Games’ new project as much as we are? Let us know in the comments below, and keep coming back to The Nerd Stash for all of your nerdy news and needs!
