Do you love medieval RPGs and Escape games? Then you should definitely check out this original title. Learn how to master this dungeon crawler and how to choose the right classes with our Dark and Darker tips.
Titles like Escape from Tarkov have led the way and created an absolutely new genre: Extraction games. In these games, the focus is a little less on shooting/fighting. Instead, the focus shifted also to collecting valuable items and taking them off the map with you.
A fun mix of genres
Dark and Darker also makes use of this very popular formula. However, instead of guns, medieval-style weapons like swords and magic wands are used and the pacing is a bit slower. After several successful playtests in the past, there is currently another free demonstration period via Steam until February 13. So don’t miss this opportunity! If you just get started with the game, take a look at the Alpha Playtest Teaser below to get your first impressions of the gameplay (but keep in mind that in the last 5 months, a lot of improvements have been made during the continued development).
Eight helpful Dark and Darker tips to master the dungeons
In this first-person PvPvE title, you enter an underground dungeon alone or in a group of up to three and try to recover as much treasure as possible. But will you make it out of the dungeon in one piece with your loot? Numerous sinister monsters and real players will try to steal your valuables. If you die, you lose everything (unless a teammate manages to revive your soul and your body isn’t looted yet). Our Dark and Darker tips will help you get safer through the dungeon, get rich and escape more often.
1. Get to know the Dark and Darker classes
Let’s start from scratch. You should know the pros and cons of each class to be able to act as effectively as possible. There are 6 Dark and Darker classes in total, and more will probably be added in the future.
Barbarian
With this class, you deal high damage in close combat, but also move slowly. The Barbarian has inherent magic resistance, high health, and a damage bonus when fighting with two-handed weapons. Among other things, his abilities allow him to stun enemies and smash doors and crates.
Rogue
Be a true thief and master of stealth. With a high attack and movement speed, you sneak through the dungeon with two daggers. You know how to pick locks and avoid traps. However, your damage and health are quite low.
Fighter
If you’re looking for an all-rounder, the Fighter might be the right choice. This class is versatile and equipped with most armor and weapons. You have the ability to sprint, but you can’t use spells.
Wizard
If you want to act more from the background, the Wizard is a good pick. Equipped with a staff, you can support your team with spells. Keep in mind, however, that your Mana can become exhausted, and you will have to renew them through mediation. But in battle, they prove to be extremely powerful and useful. A bit more difficult to play in the first levels, but later a very deadly opponent.
Ranger
As a ranger, you also take out your enemies from a distance with a bow. But in close combat, it looks less promising. You have to be all the more careful with this class to avoid being surprised by enemies. But you have the ability to quickly start bonfires and set traps.
Cleric
With this class, you can protect and heal yourself and your team members with the help of holy power. You can wear plate armor and fight with blunt weapons. But it’s better to act from the background because you generally don’t cause much damage, and you’re also a tad slow.
2. Study your enemies
In addition to many real players, you must also skillfully eliminate the various AI-controlled opponents. Get to know the weaknesses and strengths of your different types of opponents and study their movement patterns. They have different attack behaviors and different defenses and also use special attacks that you should memorize. This will surely make you die a few times in the beginning, but you’ll get better and better at parrying and attacking the different monsters.
3. Keep it smart and slow, cover your tracks, and clean your ears
Beware of your own greed! It can blind you, which often means death in the Dark and Darker. Remember, you are not alone, and real players will also be in the dungeon! Take your time and think twice before looting a valuable treasure chest to the disadvantage of your safety. Because if you die, all your gold and loot is gone! Move around the dungeon, peek through doorways, and scan the rooms before you enter them. And know that other players, monsters, and traps are also lurking in the dark. It can also help to cover your tracks, so close the doors you have opened. This will give you a bit of a time lead, and you’ll also hear the sounds when they reopen. Because sound is indispensable in this game. In this respect, you should definitely play with headphones.
4. Use your torch
In this game, as the name suggests, you’ll often be in very dark corridors and rooms. But the darkness can be of great use to you in your treasure hunt because it makes you almost invisible to enemies. Conversely, great dangers lurk in the shadows and are an excellent hiding place for monsters and enemy players. If you’re tired of being constantly murdered by rogues, press the “3” key on your keyboard and take out a magnificent torch to bring light into the dangerous darkness.
5. Keep track of your map and the portals
You should always keep an eye on the map at the bottom right of the screen and also internalize it. The rot (the red zone) is getting closer and closer, and in it, you quickly lose your health points and die. In the middle of the map, there is always a boss that you have to watch out for. But some can also be found elsewhere (e.g. behind the funny door with the QR-code-like decorations). Take your time, observe your surroundings and the sounds. The portals to escape (blue) or those to get to the next, harder level (red), only appear later in the game. When spawning, these also make special sounds that you should memorize. A good strategy is to open a portal and then, if necessary, loot something in the vicinity or start a fight. This way, you always have a quick way out (touching the portal already makes you invulnerable). But be careful, others can snatch this away from under your nose too.
6. Fight or run
In Dark and Darker, you should think twice before getting into a fight. Especially against other players, it is often advisable to retreat. If you’re playing alone and encounter a group of players, it can quickly turn deadly. Use the shady spots to hide, and when in doubt, let monsters and players run past you. Or wait until the others’ fights are finished and strike for a surprise attack before the enemies recover.
7. Always take care of your health
At the beginning of the game, you will surely die a few times. There are several ways to preserve your health and heal yourself. Many players love to hoard healing potions like treasures. However, in Dark and Darker, you should use them regularly to maintain your health and be prepared for surprises. Find and remember health shrines. You can revisit them when necessary to replenish your health. This is especially true in solo mode. If you are playing in a team, you should have at least one cleric to maintain the health of the group. The surgical kit and bonfires are also very helpful for healing.
8. Pay close attention to your environment
As briefly mentioned above, sound is in Dark and Darker a very important element to pay attention to. Everything makes sounds: doors, treasures, but also monsters, and players. Remember that your footsteps also make sounds. Therefore, you should often duck and walk slowly so that you can accurately perceive your surroundings and use them to your advantage. This will make you less vulnerable to enemies. Also, always keep an eye on the kill feed to see how many players are still in the dungeon and when the portal spawns. This will provide information about your chances of survival.
The Dark and Darker release date changed
The release date shown on Steam was previously Q4 2023, which has now become a “coming soon”. We assume that the plan to go directly to version 1.0 has given way to the Early Access path. The current build plays excellently once again, and in this respect, a release soon doesn’t seem entirely unlikely.
That’s it with our eight tips on how to get better in Dark and Darker. Practice these strategies in the current demo at your own pace and take your time. Then your treasure chest should fill up far better with more escapes. Good luck and see you in-game!
More games about collecting treasures
There’s plenty of sparkle in other games, too. If you want to play not only in dark dungeons with friends, but also let the sun on your face, we can recommend our ranking of the Best Open World Games or Best Sandbox Games.
You love dungeons, but you miss your shooting irons? Then you should take a closer look at Witchfire. The title is scheduled for release later this year and will offer you plenty of thrilling gunfights.
What is your preferred play style for getting your loot in Dark and Darker? I look forward to reading about it in the comments below.
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