Dead of Darkness

Dead of Darkness

Released Jan 2025

Dead of Darkness is a 2D survival-horror action-adventure. Investigate a mysterious island and unravel its disturbing secret. You’ll have to face grotesque creatures, hurdle deadly traps, solve puzzles, and most importantly, survive.

86% positive · 226 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to buy

Steam $9.59 $15.99 −40%
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Evaluation

Dead of Darkness launched on January 23, 2025 as a fully self-contained game. On April 10, 2025, the developer (Markus, sole developer at Retrofiction Games) explicitly stated that there will be no DLC or additional game content — the game was intentionally designed to ship complete, with all content unlockable through play. He committed to bug fixes and minor adjustments while moving on to a new project. The game received several patches in early 2025, and console versions (Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) launched on July 2, 2025, ported by Eastasiasoft. On February 16, 2026, the developer shipped Update #8 — a quality-of-life overhaul of the cistern area, improved map markers, and an additional storage chest — noting this was prompted by revisiting the game while working on his next project. On October 7, 2026, the developer announced Dead of Darkness 2 as a separate, sequel game on Steam. This announcement confirms the developer has moved on to a new project as previously indicated, and includes a 40% discount on the original game to celebrate. Nothing in the sequel announcement introduces new content for the original Dead of Darkness. The original game remains complete as designed, with the last content change delivered on February 16, 2026.
Evidence
Dead of Darkness 2 announced as a separate sequel game; the announcement includes a discount on the original but introduces no new content for it, confirming the developer has moved on to the next project
news post · Oct 7, 2026 source development ending
high
Update #8 ships with cistern overhaul, map improvements, and additional storage chest — developer notes this was motivated by revisiting the game while working on his next project, reaffirming focus has shifted
news post · Feb 16, 2026 source content shipped
high

Media

Details

Publisher
Retrofiction Games
Achievements
54
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player

About this game

In 1985 England, private investigator Miles Windham follows a lead on the mysterious death of his daughter that takes him to Velvet Island. But once he arrives on the island, he soon realizes that the residents are behaving strangely. In fact, there is a growing hostility towards the investigator that feels as though it is becoming stronger by the minute. It doesn't take long until the situation escalates and Miles finds himself in a struggle for his own survival.

Dead of Darkness is a survival-horror action-adventure with cosmic horror influences.

Key features

Complex, multi-layered narrative. Meet more than 15 characters over the course of the game - each with their own story that revolves around the terrible secrets of Velvet Island.

Challenging survival-horror. Resources are scarce, your inventory is limited, and danger lurks around every corner. Plan your routes carefully if you want to survive.

Intense hallucinations. Each enemy encounter takes a toll on your mental state. The lower your mental state, the stronger the hallucinations you will experience - some will even blur the distinction between reality and fiction.

Relentless enemies. 13 different enemies are hungry for your flesh, and some of them will stalk you relentlessly. Fight them, run from them, or use your wits to outsmart them.

Become a detective. Search your environment, inspect items and read documents in order to unlock clues. Use these clues to reveal hidden troves or unlock secret passageways.

Last evaluated Oct 8, 2026
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