Through the Darkest of Times

 PC
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Mar 5, 2020
    70
    Through the Darkest of Times is a powerful modern art installation about thehorrors of the nazi regime. As a videogame it is somewhat limitedaside for being able to put players in very awkward and thought provoking positions.
  2. Games.cz
    Feb 28, 2020
    70
    This game offers a unique perspective on isolated civic defiance to Nazism in the heart of Berlin. It’s full of emotion and heavy moments to ponder, even though its strategic part is a bit underwhelming.
  3. PC Invasion
    Feb 7, 2020
    70
    Through the Darkest of Times tells a compelling, historically grounded story of German resistance fighters who stood up to the Nazis. Its sensitive handling of difficult subject matter makes it a great game for anyone interested in a serious, emotional treatment of Nazi Germany. Unfortunately, the somewhat shallow strategy gameplay falls behind the deep themes.
  5. The Digital Fix
    Feb 5, 2020
    70
    With effective visuals, a moving story, and a powerful message, Through the Darkest of Times is a must for anyone who enjoys historical and interactive story-based games.
  6. The Indie Game Website
    Jan 31, 2020
    70
    If you’ve grown tired of Map Painting Sim #400392 but still want to get a compelling fix, this is a great place to start. The storyline is sensitively written, well animated and filled with agonising choices that will have you questioning yourself pretty harshly.
  7. Gameblog.fr
    Jan 28, 2020
    70
    Through the Darkest of Times is a fantastic proposition and very much a necessary game to understand what it could have been like being a German, a human being, during these terrible years. Even if gameplay mechanics fall short, it's still very recommandable for anyone who needs a reminder and/or is interested in History.
  8. 4P.de
    Jan 30, 2020
    65
    Quotation forthcoming.
  9. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 22, 2020
    60
    Brown shirts march through the streets! Fight them in a managerial strategy with an impressive atmosphere but shallow mechanics. [Issue#302]
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  10. TheGamer
    Feb 2, 2020
    60
    The title damages its overall appeal by morphing this conflict from one of liberty against tyranny to one of liberals against conservatives, and, while the artists behind the title are free to do what they wish with their narrative, it feels like an ironic blunder to straight-facedly present such a serious, impactful, and important historical period as something so unquestionably black-and-white.
  11. Riot Pixels
    Mar 21, 2020
    55
    Through the Darkest of Times raises some very serious topics, so I went searching online to read articles about events referenced in the game. Unfortunately, reading turned out to be more interesting than playing.
  12. BaziCenter
    Mar 3, 2020
    50
    Through the Darkest of Times, as the name suggests, tells the story of one of the most horrifying eras in the history of mankind in a relatively different way, and while the concept seems appealing, the game itself is sometimes not. If you are interested in history, this game is probably the right choice for you, but be warned that the gameplay mechanics are not always working as they should.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 4 out of 16
  1. MarkusCreed
    Jun 20, 2020
    8
    non posso esimermi dal sottolineare qualche imperfezione. In primis, una rappresentazione artistica delle varie situazioni presentate che, anon posso esimermi dal sottolineare qualche imperfezione. In primis, una rappresentazione artistica delle varie situazioni presentate che, a mio parere, avrebbe potuto osare tranquillamente un po’ di più. L’uso di modelli un po’ caricaturali per i personaggi cozza con la coraggiosa scelta di utilizzare il grigio come colore dominante. Insomma, ci troviamo davanti ad uno stile estetico, simile ad un film in bianco e nero, caratterizzato ma non eccelso, accompagnato da musiche contestualizzate al periodo ma non molto varie.

    Di contro, il lavoro di ricostruzione storica degli sviluppatori di Paintbucket Games ha quasi del miracoloso con degli avvenimenti, ed un contesto il più credibile e coerente con il periodo storico. Di conseguenza è abbastanza palese che Through The Darkest Of Times trascende la valenza più ludica, acquisendone una diversa e assai più pesante. In conclusione, si tratta di una produzione assi coraggiosa che si è scontrata con temi ed eventi storici difficili da affrontare, ottenendo nel complesso un buon risultato. Sicuramente consigliato in particolare agli amanti sia degli strategici/gestionali che delle ricostruzioni storiche.    … Full Review »
  2. BulgarianCritic
    Feb 23, 2020
    5
    This game was pretty average.The gameplay mainly consists of you trying to keep your morale and supports bar high.Nothing that you do in theThis game was pretty average.The gameplay mainly consists of you trying to keep your morale and supports bar high.Nothing that you do in the game has any effect on the story and all the missions that the game allows you to do are repetitive and the text from them is just copy and pasted. The story is alright for the most parts,it was interesting seeing a bigger picture of what the Germans were doing and though before Hitler came to power.The game also has some grammar errors but its not a major issue.Overall a pretty average experience that I probably will forget after a few months.… Full Review »
  3. GamerGuysNGals
    Feb 14, 2020
    9
    "Through The Darkest Of Times"
    Reviewed By: Carless Yen
    Developer: Paintbucket Games UG Publisher: HandyGames Release Date; Jan 30, 2020    "Through The Darkest Of Times"
    Reviewed By: Carless Yen
    Developer: Paintbucket Games UG
    Publisher: HandyGames
    Release Date; Jan 30, 2020
    Price: $14.99

    You play as a leader of a small resistance group in 1930’s Berlin, full of ordinary people, from Jews,Catholics, Patriots,and Communists.. You must deal tiny blows to the Nazis. You have to recruit people by dropping pamphlets, painting on walls, what ever you must do to grow stronger, and not get caught. Mistakes can lead to you, or your group being in grave danger. There are really two modes to this game a storytelling version, or a more difficult one. You have from 3 to 5 people helping you solve missions, and as you complete them you can unlock things. You can gain resources, money to purchase things you need, and also gain followers. You can also lose them as well based off bad decisions. Each character you have helping has special things about them that might relate to jobs better than another team member might have. Things like their background may even come into play when it comes to certain things.
    The story is really appealing I think. It can also be very depressing. It is really dark subject matter at times, and is certainly aimed at a more mature audience. If you enjoy this time period and the subject matter like I do it's really going to pull you in. If you know anything about this time period where this game took place you know about Hitler , and his actions or at least what history tells you. Knowing this I feel the game really makes you think out your actions, and they mean so much more to you to make the right move. I really don't have many negatives to say about this game at all. I really enjoyed my time with it, and know i will go back to it again in the near future maybe after I get caught up a little on my reviews. I guess if I had to say something though. Some times your choices can feel like they don't matter as much as they should. Starting a new chapter pretty much resets every thing you done as well. All though these things are a bit annoying as well as trying to compare it to modern politics it still was far more enjoyable to me than not. The fun I had, and the way i felt far outweighed anything that I didn't enjoy about it overall.
    I really love the art style of this game as well. It really has that "The Saboteur" look where you see dark colors. Black and white and grey which really makes the red splashes of color pop on screen, This isn't really the same style though as it isn't a lot of controls, but more still images.They are beautifully drawn though. They look really nice, and have small moments of movement sprinkled in that are enjoyable while you read the story, or decide your moves.

    Pros:
    Loved the Art style
    Story was truly engaging
    Liked the characters and trying to apply them to tasks
    Thought provoking

    Cons:
    Seemed a bit easy
    Sometimes felt decisions didn't matter as much
    Having to start over on new chapters

    Overall: 9.0
    "Through The Darkest Of Times" has really dark subject matter,that will really make you think about your decisions. Even if they don't always feel like they are as important overall as they may feel to you. I think it is a really important game that makes you really glad you weren't around for this time period in history.    … Full Review »
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