Dark Fall: Lights Out

Like a detective novel it can be predictable at times, but the fun of the game isn't from being surprised by whatever the story uncovers; it's from working out the mystery yourself.

The new directions the game goes in dilute the qualities that made the first Dark Fall so great, and it ends up being much less immediate, real and frightening than its predecessor.

The gamplay is pretty standard fare. [March 2005, p.78]

As uniquely unnerving as its predecessor. [Holiday 2004, p.92]

This dedication all shows through in the game’s many puzzles, which are both ingenious and challenging. Adventure game enthusiasts looking to test their gray matter have a lot of work with here. It is a bit unfortunate that the ending is not more satisfying, but taken as a whole the entire experience that is Darkfall: Lights Out is simply wonderful.

As I drifted from place to place looking at the pretty pictures and listening to the dark, I found myself asking, "Where's the game?" For the majority of Lights Out, I felt that I was simply wandering through a museum - lots of things to look at or read, but not much else.

With a bit more music, sound, and speech, this game would have shined. Even so, Lights Out is an excellent game and worth a look, especially if you don’t have enough tension in your life.

For me, the quality of an adventure is based on its story and its puzzles. Since I didn’t overly enjoy either area in Lights Out, the game isn’t one I’d really recommend. It’s also a little disappointing that Lights Out seems to be a step down from the original Dark Fall.

The learning part becomes a strain after finding that barely missed evidence or clues is the main trademark method Lights Out utilizes in order to create a challenge, instead of good, old-fashioned logic. I’m not above a little hunting, but the margin of error is excessive, and that knocks the points down on gameplay.

While the visuals can certainly be pleasant, Dark Fall: Lights Out is ultimately unambitious and relies on very dated and dry presentation methods. It's also very short; you can finish it in a day. Overall, it feels strikingly like its predecessor.

1) It's not flashy; 2) It's not easy; 3) There's not much of a reward waiting for you at the end. So as long as you're okay with Myst throwbacks in all their staid, obtuse non-glory, you won't be disappointed.

A good, involving mystery adventure that most players will enjoy for the story and the puzzles.

Again I’ll mention that there is plenty of reading to be done in-game. Rock-skipping past these elements will do you a disservice since a fair share of enrichment stems from these readings. Not to mention that several clues also reside within the texts.

It’s a shame the game isn’t more interactive though, on the few occasions you meet other people there is very little interaction, one is just an eyeball through a keyhole.

A tightly integrated game, well thought out and brilliantly executed. An unbelievable effort for a single individual.

This title lacks the coherence and the qualities of a confined, scary space that helped to make the first part of the series so great.

Intriguing plot and visuals, but we've had enough of these lazy adventures. [March 2005, p.104]

The challenge isn't necessarily soliving puzzles, but making sure you've examined every single bit of every screen. [Dec 2004, p.89]