Advanced Game Search
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

Rate It!
Ratings
[1:29] - Xbox Release Date Announcement Videos: 6
Screenshot Images: 13
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot

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.

Read More

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:

All Downloads

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

Gamer Social Club: 9 / 10 by Russell Segui

So, to answer the question posed at the beginning of this review, yes, it vary much lived up to the hype. Karma The Dark World is not an action-packed thrill ride, and it never tried to be. Karma is extremely good at a couple of things and doesn’t stray from that, which I enjoy a lot and feel more games need to do. Keep it simple and don’t overstay your welcome.

Full Review

Pure Dead Gaming: 6 / 10

Karma: The Dark World exhibits impressive world design with an unrivalled Orwellian setting that is layered with intrigue. It explores the darker machinations of a totalitarian regime with an iron grip on a helplessly captive society. However, Karma: The Dark World disappointingly fails to deliver on its initial premise and potential by neglecting to expand upon the engrossing themes, setting, and narrative showcased during its opening hours. The unnerving world and atmosphere that Pollard Studio has created in Karma serve as the backdrop for an artistic masterpiece that never fully forms on the canvas, as Karma inexplicably elects to all but abandon any dystopian focus during its second half, instead replacing its ostensibly marvellous setup with new characters and narrative threads that squander the game’s incipient masterclass in world-building and sowing intrigue. While Karma easily could have been a masterpiece, as evidenced by all of the chilling artistry of its opening act, it results in a mess of a game that lacks sufficient design cohesion or narrative focus. Karma: The Dark World is ultimately an amalgamation of richly intriguing and uncannily evocative ideas that never mesh together in a cohesive narrative or consummate gameplay experience.

Full Review

Smash Jump: 6 / 10 by Sam Flanagan

Karma: The Dark World has a lot of interesting ideas, but it tells them in such a vague way that will leave many dissatisfied. Couple that with limited gameplay sections, cheap horror moments, a story that feels like huge gaps were cut for the sake of building mystery, and it’s hard to not be a little disappointed. However, that being said, Karma does have standout moments sprinkled throughout that elevates the game past its mediocrity. It’s graphically outstanding, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, and even though the game’s story is full of smoke and mirrors it does occasionally provide you with an incredibly well crafted scene or two.

Full Review
92%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (3,651)

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.

Rate It!