A well made, one of its kind hardcore fantasy loot extraction game. Due to the dungeon dwelling nolife manchildren not liking the most recent heavy balance changes(that now are reverted completely due to the crying), the community decided the best option would be to protest by review bombing the game and demanding idiotic things like for the main dev to step down. In light of this, I wanted to clarify that you should not consider the recent negative reviews in any way, as they're just grown men crying because their game got changed in a way they don't like.

I highly recommend trying it for yourself as it's free and not pay to win. Or just look at the gameplay first, just don't take the current reviews as face value as they're heavily manipulated by the community at the moment of this review.

Leaving my Nearly 2000 hour review here amidst all of the the review bombing. Dark and Darker is peak gaming for me. There is no other loot-extraction game quite like it. 10/10 would constantly die in the dungeon again. Hold the line.

Unfortunately, as it breaks my heart, I cannot recommend Dark and Darker.

On patch 69 Devs tried to fix the overpower gear score difference, nerfing items to minimum increase of stat by rarity level (common, uncommon, rare, epic, legendary and unique) instead of each rarity increasing a lot per level of rarity. However, some veterans and streamers that like to make content out of new players didn't like and boycott the steam reviews/charts blackmailing devs to revert it.

So, after two days of being skill vs skill, devs got afraid of them and reverted it to "gear vs gear" again on patch 69-2.

As a result, if you are a new player don't be surprised if a Fighter can tank 5 arrows in a row and a hit of spear as he proceed to kill you in 2 slashes... or a single headshot with long sword. This is gear vs gear way of play... Where beginners will need to play 227 hours to start getting kills and "TRY" to compete with them, because without gears you don't know how to play your class, and seems like you don't have anything good at that class gearless anyway.

It's sad because this game had so much potential, on patch 69 it was on it's way to live for long. We cannot say the same for the currently state of Patch 69-2. The numbers on steam charts speaks by itself.

So, no! I do not recommend Dark and Darker, specially if you have a life. You're going to die A LOT until you start to feel that you understand what's happening, and then, you'll need long hours to get gears and gold to sustain your learning curve in case of you dying with those gears in the High Roller mode.

The main problem with the game is this community that don't want it to evolve and give new players a fair chance at beat them. They want you only for their amusement.

Saddly devs are as much as victim as you'll be. Hostages of their own game.

If you are interested to know more about, I'll repeat the post from the user "vrtti" on the discussion channel:

"Going over SDFs vision using his words and why it is a shame they capitulated to gamer rage

-10.10.24

SDF
"We're going to completely change the fundamental areas of the game related to items in the future. In short, we're going to minimize the impact of grinding on PVP. Grinding will expand in a direction that is more self-satisfying than in a direction that affects PVP."

SDFs first comment to the community. He outlines here that grinding (item power) is way to impactful in PVP. This is directly from the lead Dev. The Dev with all the numbers and data. SDF expressed here that it isn't just skill difference, item power is breaking PVP and the grind investment is stressful for the average player.


-10.10.24

SDF
"starting from the next Hotfix #68, we will gradually proceed with the patch toward this vision. Let's all watch where this ship is going. No, let's row this ship together."

SDF states that the process will be gradual, meaning HOTFIX 69 and 69.1 was not the end goal we had much higher places to reach. Too bad the ship was burned in route...


-10.11.24 HF#67

SDF
"we are working on some big item changes for the near future. We feel that there are fundamental issues with the current system, which is causing us to use the Gear Score system as a crutch. This is having undesirable consequences that seep into all corners of the game. We are currently exploring solutions ... and wanted to give everyone advance notice. We expect some turbulence this season as we smooth out the wrinkles but believe this will fundamentally create a much stronger and healthy game for the future."

Again SDF expresses how the devs see severe fundamental issues with gear in this game that they need to fix. SDF states for players to expect and prepare for disturbances, but feels its a necessary discomfort that will ultimately will lead to a much better game.


-10.13.24

SDF
"To clarify my preference for a shorter TTK (Time to Kill), I believe that TTK between players with similar gear levels, above a certain threshold, is quite decent. However, TTK between players with lower gear levels (Squire items) is longer than I would prefer."

The disingenuous part of the community spread the idea that SDF wants a blanket short TTK this is INCORRECT. SDF expresses here that he feels TTK between equally geared players is fine Pre HF#69. SDF's issue is with the TTK for low quality items. His vision was only directed at changing the speed it would take you to kill a player while using low quality gear.


-10.13.24
SDF
"The problem arises when a lower gear-level player faces a higher gear-level player, which feels like a lightweight fighter competing against a heavyweight fighter. This is what I dislike the most. ...

And I expect this will also solve the issue of only those who can dedicate a lot of time being able to compete, which ultimately reduces the pool of competitors over time."

IMO the most important thing I'll quote from SDF. The power difference between low and high gear lvl is fundamentally broken, what the LEAD DEV HATES MOST of his own game. He states that this insane time commitment as a barrier to PVP "ultimately reduces the pool of competitors over time.".

This can not be overstated, THE LEAD DEVELOPER believes the insane GEAR GAP is bleeding players.


-10.24.24 HF# 69
SDF
"This update continues our quest to reduce the time commitment and grind required for players to feel as if they can compete and enjoy the game. This update brings the first step in a paradigm shift in the way we design our items."

The vision is great. SDF wants a game were anyone can compete, HF # 69 was only the FIRST step. At this point 20 seconds into this amazing vision the community implodes and destroys.


-10.28.24 HF# 69.1
SDF
"This hotfix implements several changes that improves loot progression while still maintaining the progress we’ve made in lowering the PvP gear gap and the reduction of matchmaking pools for better quality matches. ... We will continue to monitor these changes to ensure that PvP feels fair across a wide range of gearscore while making loot feel rewarding. We apologize for the huge shock last week, but it was a necessary step for us to really whittle down the longstanding issues we’ve faced regarding PvP gear gap and matchmaking. We believe these changes now build a groundwork for a healthier future that can support both established and new players. Thank you for your understanding and see you in the dungeons!"

HF# 69.1 was the foundation for the vision. Gear was feeling better than HF# 69. The PVP was great, matchmaking was gone, HR restrictions gone. You could start to see the vision and this was only the beginning.

You see SDF, over all these messages, repeatedly state the biggest, most longstanding, worst part of this game is the insane gear gap. To watch the lead developer fold to a darlk cult-like impulsive gamer rage reaction, has me feeling gross towards this game and community.

It should be noted I never raged, complained, nor changed my positive review during all the changes I disliked. This is different. Capitulating to those very sad minds full of rage because it was the end of their POWER FANTASY where they get to run over lobbies, yea I'M DONE and my review is negative and in it I express how new players should avoid."

If you've followed 'til here, thank you for your time.