Is this game a Karma chameleon?
For some reason, you’ve returned here. Everything has become strange. Your name, your appearance, your voice, and all your memories. Through the help of an old man, you connected with your past memories by way of a strange tape and embarked on a journey to find your memories. In this dark world, experience strange encounters and wade through fragmented memories. As an investigation officer, uncover the truth and find the source of all the happenings. This is a first-person story-driven psychological horror game. Delve into this dark and strange world with an investigation officer from Roam to find traces of lost memories and fulfill your destiny.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from KARMA: The Dark World. It is definitely up there as one of the most bizarre, mind-twisting games I have ever played. At times brilliant, at times laughable. But I still loved every second and I hated that it was over so soon.
The story and dystopian setting are brilliant. It has Orwell’s 1984 and the late brilliant David Lynch as key influences throughout. I’m not entirely sure why some members of the Thought Bureau have TVs on their heads, but still an interesting story from beginning to end and I really would like to see a sequel in this setting. The brain dives that you do are well done as you try and uncover the truth.
It’s more than just a walking simulator; there’s a decent number of puzzles to finish and chase sequences to run from. There are also optional puzzles and collectible notes scattered around that can be picked up as you go or through Chapter Select. I did have a glitch where a collectible trophy didn’t unlock, so I had to replay the entire game (backed up the save before the final collectible this time, just in case) before it would pop. It seems to not have affected everyone though, so hopefully I was just the exception.
A few technical hiccups like the game crashing when loading the next chapter did occur, as well as a few goofy animations that hopefully will be patched. I did love the whole vibe of the game and while most of it is intentionally serious, I did laugh at one point where a man is dangling from a hook and then a slow scream is let out followed by blood hitting the screen as you hold down a button. It just felt a bit silly compared to the rest of the game.
The production values are very impressive, with highly detailed surroundings and trippy sequences. Voice-acting is simply amazing with truly believable performances throughout, the soundtrack also has some amazing tunes. The game ran at a solid framerate throughout and apart from the odd loading crash and animation hiccups, it was an impressive display.
The Verdict
KARMA: The Dark World has some of the most impressive sequences I’ve seen in a game in a long time, while also having some of the goofiest. It has a great vibe running through it though and the setting deserves a sequel. The world they’ve created here cannot be allowed to end with this one entry. Sure, it has its issues, and it has some weird message at the end about spending more time outside or something, but it’s still a game that I will never forget.