The Dark Protocol
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About The Dark Protocol
The Dark Protocol is a sci-fi horror game developed by Infinium Game Studio and released on October 3 2025. Set in a dimly lit space station where only room outlines are visible, it tasks you with exploring corridors collecting items reading cryptic notes and solving puzzles. A shadowy creature stalks the environment forcing you to balance curiosity with survival. Available on PC and Mac, it’s a single-player experience that leans into claustrophobic tension and atmospheric mystery. The game’s minimalistic visuals and sound design amplify its eerie vibe, making every creak and flicker feel threatening.
Gameplay
You navigate the station in first-person view, using a flashlight to illuminate vague shapes and locate clues. Puzzles involve arranging found data logs or manipulating environmental objects to unlock doors. The creature AI learns from your movements, so backtracking becomes risky. Sessions often involve 10-20 minute bursts of cautious exploration broken by sudden chase sequences. Controls are precise but sluggish, adding to the unease. You’ll often pause to listen for footsteps or scan for motion in the dark. Combat is absent; your only tools are stealth and environmental hazards like sealed airlocks.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community rates it 8.2/10, with 76% completing the main story in 6 hours on average. 33% of players earned all achievements, which include avoiding the creature for 30 minutes. Community moods: 68% scared, 29% curious, 3% frustrated. Reviews highlight the “tense pacing” but note a 28% dropout rate due to repetitive puzzles. One user wrote: “The silence is scarier than the monster itself. But the ending left me wanting more.” Critics praise its atmosphere but call the $29.99 price “a bit steep for the runtime.”
PlayPile's Take
This is a short but potent horror game for fans of psychological tension over action. The low price makes it a low-risk pick, though the 28% dropout rate suggests it won’t appeal to everyone. If you enjoy methodical exploration and don’t mind a quick campaign, it’s worth the playthrough. The creature design and sound cues stick with you, even if the puzzles grow repetitive. Achievements add replay value but aren’t essential. Skip if you prefer fast-paced scares over slow-burn dread.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
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