Castle in the Darkness
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About Castle in the Darkness
Castle in the Darkness is a 2D action-platformer with RPG elements from indie developer Matt Kap. Released in 2015, it throws you into a procedurally generated castle full of traps, enemies, and loot. Think Metroidvania meets old-school dungeon crawlers. The goal is to survive, collect weapons, and fight through endless waves of foes. The game’s charm comes from its chaotic, hand-drawn art style and relentless difficulty. It’s single-player only, with no multiplayer distractions. Best for players who enjoy punishing challenges and replaying levels to improve scores.
Gameplay
You control a customizable character navigating randomly generated rooms. Movement is tight, with responsive controls for jumping and shooting. Each room is a puzzle of hazards: falling rocks, spiked pits, and enemies that swarm instantly. Combat feels weighty but punishing, you’ll die often, losing all collected items. Loot drops vary each run, incentivizing replay. RPG elements include stat upgrades and weapon pickups, but progression is minimal between runs. Boss battles test all your skills, often requiring pattern memorization. Sessions typically last 10-20 minutes, ending in a respawn or escape. The fast pace and permadeath keep tension high.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 8.7/10, with 76% Metacritic approval. 62% of players complete the game, averaging 12 hours. Moods are split: 45% call it “frustrating but fair,” while 33% praise “addictive variety.” Average achievement rate is 73% for 45 total. Reviewers note it’s “tougher than Dark Souls” but reward runs for loot. 28% say the difficulty “feels random,” while 22% highlight the art style as a standout. Price-sensitive players question its $19.99 cost, given shorter playtime. Critics split on whether the RNG-based loot offsets the challenge.
PlayPile's Take
This is a niche title for masochists who love permadeath and loot loops. The procedural generation keeps things fresh, but the steep difficulty curve may turn off casual players. With 45 achievements and 73% average unlock, it offers solid replay value. Not the best buy at full price, but it’s a bargain for completionists. Stick with it if you enjoy Metroidvania vibes with Metroid Prime’s brutality. Skip it if you hate RNG or permadeath.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
85.6
RAWG Rating
3.1
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