Dark and Darker has shown a remarkable amount of potential as an upcoming Tarkov-like PvPvE format game. Although it’s currently only in its alpha playtest stage, it has been garnering the attention of many, including fans of the growing genre. By taking the foundation laid by games like Escape From Tarkov and expanding on it even further, this game has put its own fantasy, battle-royale-meets-RPG twist on the genre.
Escape From Tarkov inspired Battlefield‘s Hazard Zone and the genre as a whole, and Dark and Darker shares many core commonalities with it. Both place the player in an unforgiving, single-life environment in which they must overcome NPCs and other players alike in order to gather items and escape with their loot. The two games also feature a similar trade system, allowing their players to sell and buy items from various merchants who specialize in certain categories, such as weaponry or valuables. Dark and Darker has, however, taken that framework and used it to create something truly one-of-a-kind.
Likely among one of the game’s most beloved elements, there has been a lot of buzz and excitement around the inclusion of character classes. As of the September playtest, the game offers six distinct classes: Fighter, Rogue, Barbarian, Ranger, Wizard, and Cleric. Just like any good RPG game, Dark and Darker‘s classes offer special perks and abilities that make playing each character a completely different experience from the next. Plus, since up to three characters can team up together on their dungeon-crawling journey, this feature adds an extra layer of complexity. There are dozens of team builds to try – and it’s likely that more character classes will be added with time.
Dark And Darker Incorporates Battle Royale Elements In Addition To Tarkov Gameplay
Another key distinction is that Dark and Darker is a new kind of battle royale game in addition to emulating Tarkov. Perhaps the most obvious of these features is the “ring,” or the swarm of flies that slowly closes in over the course of the match, forcing players closer together. This accelerates the pace of the gameplay, as players are more likely to run into each other and fight, leaving only one side standing. Although the latest playtest only offered two maps, both were rather large and complex, so with the added pressure of the ring, the games’ 16-player lobbies were able to move along quite quickly.
But the most fundamental difference in this regard is that there are two different ways to proceed through the game, in lieu of extraction points. While one starts with a loadout as in Escape from Tarkov, Dark and Darker players can either escape through an Escape Portal – or if they’re brave, a Down Portal, both of which can be found scattered around the map during late game. Escape Portals work almost exactly like extraction points: a player can open up the portal and then enter it to be transported back to the main menu, along with all the loot they gathered. Down Portals, on the other hand, allow for an even more competitive, hardcore experience. By taking a Down Portal, the player is transported to a new map with more powerful NPCs, more difficult obstacles, and better loot, along with any players who also took one. However, regardless of which option a player prefers, there are a limited amount of time and portals to take. If a player doesn’t enter any portal before the timer runs out, the floor collapses and they automatically die. By increasing the stakes in this way, it turns Dark and Darker from mere competition into survival video game; it’s either kill or be killed, no matter your intended playstyle.
The game isn’t projected to release until the end of 2023, but even in its early stages it shows a lot of promise. With the next playtest opening up in late October, players will be able to see more, but with Escape From Tarkov’s popular PvPvE format, elements of both RPG and battle royale games, and a gothic fantasy atmosphere, Dark and Darker seems like it almost can’t go wrong.