Independent developer Unfold Games is preparing its 2019 puzzle platformer Darq for a new wave of releases on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, giving horror fans a new game to look out for around launch for the new consoles.
Darq's Complete Edition is also set to release on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4 in December. All of the releases will include the base game and two DLC episodes, "The Tower" and "The Crypt." Unfold also shared a trailer for the upcoming second DLC this week.
Darq focuses on Lloyd, a lucid dreamer who is forced to get up close and personal with his worst fears as he tries to escape an overwhelming nightmare. With a surreal, monochromatic world around him, Lloyd will have to walk up walls, sneak away from enemies, and explore his unfamiliar surroundings in order to wake up.
The trailer for "The Crypt" follows Lloyd as he makes an effort to solve environmental puzzles with his head separated from the rest of his body, with a set of skeletal creatures complicating matters as he tries to reunite himself. The video highlights Darq's foreboding atmosphere and cerebral gameplay, which have both earned praise from critics and horror game fans on Steam.
The game is the debut project from Wlad Marhulets, the one-man development team at Unfold Games. Marhulets contributed music to Hollywood films like Hitman: Agent 47 and The Giver before transitioning into game development, and composed the score for Darq in addition to developing much of the game on his own. Marhulets says that the game's second DLC will be its last as he moves on to other projects, but more content related to Darq is on the horizon.
Layers of Fear and Blair Witch developer Bloober Team is on release duty for the console versions of Darq, which are set to come out digitally under the company's horror-focused Feardemic imprint later this year. Physical versions of the game are set to follow in early 2021. Owners of the game on PC will also get "The Crypt" as a free DLC update around the same time as the launch of the console versions.
According to Marhulets, Feardemic was the best choice for sharing Darq with a wider player base after talks with other potential partners fell through. Unfold was also offered an exclusivity deal with the Epic Games Store during Darq's development period, but Marhulets refused, electing to release the game on Steam and GOG instead.
Fans of unorthodox horror titles have had a solid selection of titles to choose from recently, and seemingly niche games like Carrion have become hits recently thanks to positive word of mouth and console ports. With Darq already holding some critical acclaim after its original release last year, ports onto platforms like the PS5, Series X and Switch could give the game a solid push toward new audiences.
Darq is out now on PC, and will release for PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X holiday 2020.
Source: Unfold Games on Steam