DarkMaus

About DarkMaus

DarkMaus is a 2016 indie action RPG developed by Daniel Wright that throws you into the desolate, corrupted world of Hazath as a lone mouse searching for answers. Built around punishingly difficult, skill-based combat, it demands precision and adaptability. Every death summons a ghost that fights alongside you, creating a strategic layer as you accumulate these spectral allies over time. The game’s single-player design prioritizes variety, offering spears, greatswords, bows, and magic as viable playstyles. While its PC-only release and controller focus may limit accessibility, critics praised its 83/100 Metacritic score for challenging, rewarding gameplay. If you crave a grueling but fair RPG with a bleak, mysterious setting, DarkMaus delivers.

Gameplay

Combat in DarkMaus is relentless and reactive. You dodge, parry, and counter in fast-paced encounters, where overextending or mistiming an attack means instant death. Each time you perish, a ghost echoes your final moves, gradually building a squad of spectral allies that fight using the same weapons you wield. Progression hinges on mastering weapon combos and positioning, with enemies forcing you to switch tactics mid-fight. The world of Hazath is sparse but littered with secrets, exploring decaying ruins and feral mouse dens reveals lore and upgrades. Boss battles test your reflexes and strategy, while the lack of respawns adds tension. With no multiplayer or co-op, your only companions are your ghosts, making each session a solo grind toward survival.

What Players Think

Community stats show 68% of players finish DarkMaus, averaging 18 hours with 84% completing achievements. Metacritic’s 83/100 reflects praise for its "thoughtful challenge" and "clever death mechanic." Reviews split between admiration for its difficulty ("A god among Mäuse" after mastering it) and frustration over its steep learning curve. The most common moods: "Determined" (32%) and "Frustrated" (21%). Some players call it "the Souls-like for those who hate Souls," while others decry repetitive enemy patterns. Average playtime spikes at 10, 20 hours, suggesting many quit before beating the final boss. Despite polarized reactions, 89% of reviewers with 100% completion say the payoff "justifies the pain."

PlayPile's Take

DarkMaus is for players who thrive on punishing difficulty and love refining builds. With no price listed and no post-launch content, its $20, $30 indie price tag might feel steep for the 18-hour average playtime. The 84% achievement completion rate shows it’s beatable, but only for those patient enough to learn its combat language. It’s not for casual players or those who prefer hand-holding. If you’ve tackled games like Dark Souls or Nioh and crave more of that tension, DarkMaus is a worthy, if flawed, companion. But if death feels like a setback, this one might test your limits.

Storyline

"DarkMaus is set in the world of Hazath, which has become corrupted. It follows a lone mouse who sets out to discover what has happened."