Darkway: Murder of King Mere
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About Darkway: Murder of King Mere
Darkway: Murder of King Mere is a narrative-driven adventure platformer from IM/MORTAL Studios. Set in the frostbitten City of Ink, you play as the Apprentice, a detective trainee tasked with solving the regicide of King Mere. The game blends environmental puzzles with a murder mystery, unfolding through exploration of icy ruins, cryptic documents, and eerie dog-themed symbolism. Released in 2025 for PC and Mac, it leans into slow-burn storytelling and abstract worldbuilding. The core hook is piecing together a fractured narrative through scattered clues, with gameplay focused on movement and deduction.
Gameplay
You navigate a vertical, snow-covered world filled with crumbling structures and hidden passages. The platforming requires precise jumps and timed movements to access restricted areas, while puzzles often involve manipulating dog-shaped objects or decoding symbolic graffiti. Each level functions as a chapter, with environmental storytelling revealing the city’s history and the murder’s context. The controls are responsive but demand patience, slippery surfaces and sudden camera shifts test coordination. Sessions typically involve 30, 45 minutes of exploration, solving minor puzzles to unlock new zones, and combing through text fragments for plot clues. There’s no combat; the tension comes from figuring out the mystery.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 8.7/10, with 76% of players completing the main story in 10.5 hours. Reviews split between praise for its haunting aesthetic and criticism of obtuse puzzles. Common moods: “hauntingly beautiful” (42%), “frustrating” (28%), “puzzles feel unfair” (19%). One user called it “a visual and thematic triumph, but the platforming is a snooze.” Completion rates for achievements sit at 61%, with 32 total, including “Find the King’s Bloodstain” and “Decipher All Dog Glyphs.” The average time to earn all achievements is 8 hours, though some players report hitting 20+ hours due to backtracking.
PlayPile's Take
Darkway is a niche title best suited for fans of slow, atmospheric mysteries who don’t mind tedious platforming. At $29.99, it’s a low-risk purchase if on sale, but the 32 achievements add replay value for completionists. The 8.7 rating feels inflated for some due to its uneven pacing, but the art style and story beats leave a lasting impression. Skip if you prefer fast action or clear puzzle cues. For those who enjoy piecing together fragmented narratives, it’s a worthwhile, if imperfect, experience.
Game Modes
Single player
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