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About Day of Light
Day of Light is a hand-drawn platformer developed by Vicinity Games and released on PC in February 2026. It blends puzzle-solving with strategic mask-based abilities to navigate a decaying, darkened world. Players collect masks that grant temporary powers, like flight, invisibility, or time slowdown, to overcome environmental challenges and restore light. The game leans into indie aesthetics with its sketchy art style and introspective tone. It’s a single-player journey focused on methodical problem-solving, not combat. The premise is simple but effective: use shifting tools to reshape a bleak landscape. Best for fans of contemplative, ability-driven platformers like Limbo or Gris.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around acquiring and switching between masks. Each mask offers a distinct ability, but they have limited uses or cooldowns, forcing careful planning. A typical session involves navigating tight platforming sections, using a mask to bypass obstacles, then reusing it sparingly for later puzzles. Controls are precise but not flashy, think deliberate jumps over crumbling ledges. The strategy layer comes from choosing which mask to use where; a flight mask might open one path, while a light-reflecting mask solves a separate puzzle. Boss-like challenges require chaining abilities mid-session. The game’s difficulty spikes around the 30% mark, introducing masks with conditional uses (e.g., only active in darkness). Sessions rarely top 90 minutes, but backtracking for new solutions is common.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 4.2/5, with 72% completing the base game. Average playtime is 8.5 hours, though 25% of players log over 15 hours due to optional mask challenges. Community moods skew calm (68%) and accomplished (55%), with 12% frustrated by mask limitations. Critics praise the art style (89% on Metacritic) but note repetitive level design. One review: “Masks add clever depth, but later levels feel like ability-checklists.” Achievement completion sits at 63%, with 30% of players hitting 100% (including 12 hidden masks). Price complaints are minimal, $29.99 is seen as fair given the short runtime.
PlayPile's Take
Day of Light is a polished but niche pick for $30. It excels as a 10-hour puzzle experience, with masks offering creative problem-solving. However, its lack of combat or progression systems may frustrate some. The price-to-playtime ratio is average, but the hand-drawn visuals and meditative tone justify it for fans of minimalist platformers. Avoid if you want replayability, post-game content is sparse. For $30, it’s a solid purchase but not essential. Prioritize if you enjoyed The Witness or want a calm, artistic challenge.
Game Modes
Single player
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