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Karma: The Dark World

Karma: The Dark World

PCPlayStationXbox
Released

Release Date: March 27, 2025

Adventure, FPP, Science Fiction, Horror, Dystopia, Indie Games, Alternative History, Singleplayer

A Chinese first-person psychological thriller, inspired by the creations of George Orwell, Hideo Kojima, David Lynch and Christopher Nolan. Karma: The Dark World takes us to an alternative version of 1984 East Germany. We play as an agent capable of accessing minds of interrogated people to find secrets and complete investigations.

7.4

OpenCritic

9.2

Steam

6.2

Users

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Ratings
[1:29] - Xbox Release Date Announcement Videos: 6
Screenshot Images: 13
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Karma: The Dark World is an adventure game in the style of a psychological thriller, inspired by the works of Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding), as well as the creations of David Lynch (Twin Peaks) and Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar). The game was developed by the independent Chinese team Pollard Studio from Shanghai.

Gameplay

In Karma: The Dark World we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). The driving force of the game is the exploration of thoughts of the suspects we interrogate. They were presented in the form of "distorted", surreal locations reflecting not only their experiences, but also emotions and desires.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows March 27, 2025

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 March 27, 2025

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S September 10, 2025

Developer: Pollard Studio

Publisher: Wired Productions

Features

News

Karma: The Dark World demo is now available on Steam. Associations with BioShock and Twin Peaks are very much in place

Karma: The Dark World demo is now available on Steam. Associations with BioShock and Twin Peaks are very much in place

Karma: The Dark World will soon be available on PC and PS5, but players can already play the demo version of this dystopian title.

video games

Jacob Blazewicz

March 19, 2025

Karma: The Dark World demo is now available on Steam. Associations with BioShock and Twin Peaks are very much in place

Downloads

Top downloads for Karma: The Dark World Video Game:

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System Requirements

System Requirements for Karma: The Dark World Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
(1080p, 30 fps) Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1660 / 8 GB Radeon RX Vega 56, 30 GB SSD, Windows 10 64-bit.

Recommended System Requirements:
(1440p, 60 fps) Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5700X, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 2080 / 12 GB Radeon RX 6700 XT, 30 GB SSD, Windows 11 64-bit.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Karma: The Dark World Video Game.

7.4

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 56% of Critics. There are 52 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

NextGen Player: 7.5 / 10 by Paul Hunter

Its slow-burn narrative, challenging puzzles, and surreal visuals create a haunting atmosphere that keeps you questioning reality.

Full Review

Impulsegamer: 4.6 / 5

This kind of came out of nowhere for me but it's really right up my alley. A dystopian world with a well developed story… a splash of sci-fi and stunning visuals. A very tolerable amount of horror (don't get me wrong… some of those moments if played in VR would probably require a pants change)… puzzles that are a challenge but manageable. Not to mention a moving soundtrack (even if I did have trouble making out what the words were in the song near the start of the game). Highly recommended for anyone who likes things a bit weird and thought provoking!

Full Review

Use a Potion: 7 / 10

KARMA: The Dark World is a visually stunning psychological thriller that doesn’t always hit the mark but still delivers a hauntingly unique experience. If you enjoy surreal storytelling and atmospheric horror, it’s worth diving in – just be prepared for a narrative that leaves more questions than it does answers.

Full Review
92%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (4,034)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Visuals and Optimization: The game features stunning graphics that are highly optimized, running smoothly even on high settings (4K). Players frequently praised the visual fidelity and the overall aesthetic appeal of the environments.
  • Atmospheric Setting: The game is set in a unique and original dystopian world, with a strong atmospheric presence that enhances the psychological horror experience.
  • Sound Design: The music and sound design received high marks, with many players finding the soundtrack beautiful and emotionally resonant. Voice acting was also generally well-received, though some noted inconsistencies.
  • Puzzles and Exploration: While primarily a walking simulator, the puzzles are considered original and well-balanced, adding to the exploration and engagement of the game.
  • Emotional Storytelling: Many players found the narrative deeply emotional and impactful, with some describing it as a moving experience that resonates long after playing.

The main cons of the game

  • Story Complexity: The narrative is often described as convoluted, surreal, and difficult to follow, requiring multiple playthroughs or external summaries to fully grasp. Some players felt that the story lacked coherence and meaningful character development.
  • Length and Pacing: The game is relatively short (around 5 to 10 hours), which some players felt was insufficient for the depth of the story being told. Additionally, the pacing can feel uneven, particularly with lengthy cutscenes.
  • Gameplay Limitations: There are complaints about the game being more of an interactive movie than a traditional game, with limited gameplay mechanics and a lack of action or challenge in certain segments.
  • Control Issues: Some players reported frustrations with character controls, particularly during chase sequences, and issues with inventory management.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Character Development: Many players expressed a desire for more compelling characters and meaningful relationships within the story to enhance emotional investment.
  • Gameplay Variety: A desire for more diverse gameplay mechanics was noted, as the game is heavily reliant on exploration and cutscenes, with limited action or dynamic interactions.
  • Accessibility Options: Some users mentioned the need for better control customization options, particularly for different keyboard layouts (e.g., QWERTY vs. AZERTY).
  • Narrative Clarity: Players suggested that clearer storytelling or more structured narrative delivery could enhance the overall experience, making it easier to follow the plot without confusion.

Summary

  • Overall, "KARMA: The Dark World" has been recognized for its artistic presentation and emotional storytelling, but it also faces criticism for its complex narrative and gameplay limitations.

Summary generated on:

6.2

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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