When I choose to play Minecraft I’m frequently jumpscared by from-behind arrows launched by cartoon skeletons. Hell, the first time I played Bioshock I was startled by the sound of a projector screen lowering - this was in the introductory segment, before any enemies had appeared. Even multiplayer shooters have my crosshair quivering in intense situations. All this is to say that first person games put me on high alert, let alone games with horror elements. I’ve still enjoyed my share of shooters, even balls-to-the-wall masochist games like Lovely Planet or Devil Daggers, but while DUSK is gracious enough to ask less of me mechanically, it demands much more of me emotionally.
Let’s be clear, I had a blast playing. While, for the sake of my sanity, I had to split each campaign into multiple play-sessions, those short bursts of bloodbath were nothing short of exhilarating. DUSK, with its low-fidelity look of horror and goosebump-inducing sound design, transmits carnage directly into the player's brain - electric guitar and all. Where I find my mind wandering, however, are the aspects of the game I’m certain to never experience.
DUSK has an awful lot going for it, but this is especially true for those who want to get the most out of their purchase. There’s multiple difficulty levels, secrets galore, and the end of each level - all of which can be replayed ad-nauseum once beaten in the campaign - has a plethora of stats for players to grind for. Whether you’re looking to get the fastest time on the hardest difficulty, explore every nook and cranny for secrets, or beat each level without killing a single enemy, there’s something there for everyone. Shockingly, this extends even to scaredy-cats like me.
I took levels slow and cautiously, leading enemies into corridors for easier pickings, and generally shying away from extra challenges so I could get to the end; a well earned breather after all the violence, I think. I did have my moments of catharsis - DUSK forces it upon you when it spawns swarms of enemies in large, open spaces. The point of the matter, however, is that I’ve barely scratched the surface of what this game has to offer, and my poor heart isn’t in it for the long haul. But while the feast offered to hardcore players is something I will happily admire from afar, I’m forced to assume they were handled with care. For all I’ve said about DUSK having it’s more ambitious of players in mind, it’s clear that the blood-lust was crafted for everyone. There’s accessibility options galore, the easiest difficulty is more than fair, and there’s even cheat codes reminiscent of classic games of the genre. Whether I’m getting the full experience or not, the fact that players like me were even thought of at all inspires confidence.
At its core, DUSK is a game of dread and deliverance. Playing on easy mode doesn’t save you from the game’s more petrifying moments, nor does it diminish the more euphoric moments of massacre. Horrors lurk around every corner, and god damn if the plan isn’t to shoot them with a shotgun until they die. The beauty in DUSK are the feelings it evokes regardless of playstyle. However difficult you choose to make that shot, and however many times you plan to take it, it’s guaranteed to make your heart race.
Let’s be clear, I had a blast playing. While, for the sake of my sanity, I had to split each campaign into multiple play-sessions, those short bursts of bloodbath were nothing short of exhilarating. DUSK, with its low-fidelity look of horror and goosebump-inducing sound design, transmits carnage directly into the player's brain - electric guitar and all. Where I find my mind wandering, however, are the aspects of the game I’m certain to never experience.
DUSK has an awful lot going for it, but this is especially true for those who want to get the most out of their purchase. There’s multiple difficulty levels, secrets galore, and the end of each level - all of which can be replayed ad-nauseum once beaten in the campaign - has a plethora of stats for players to grind for. Whether you’re looking to get the fastest time on the hardest difficulty, explore every nook and cranny for secrets, or beat each level without killing a single enemy, there’s something there for everyone. Shockingly, this extends even to scaredy-cats like me.
I took levels slow and cautiously, leading enemies into corridors for easier pickings, and generally shying away from extra challenges so I could get to the end; a well earned breather after all the violence, I think. I did have my moments of catharsis - DUSK forces it upon you when it spawns swarms of enemies in large, open spaces. The point of the matter, however, is that I’ve barely scratched the surface of what this game has to offer, and my poor heart isn’t in it for the long haul. But while the feast offered to hardcore players is something I will happily admire from afar, I’m forced to assume they were handled with care. For all I’ve said about DUSK having it’s more ambitious of players in mind, it’s clear that the blood-lust was crafted for everyone. There’s accessibility options galore, the easiest difficulty is more than fair, and there’s even cheat codes reminiscent of classic games of the genre. Whether I’m getting the full experience or not, the fact that players like me were even thought of at all inspires confidence.
At its core, DUSK is a game of dread and deliverance. Playing on easy mode doesn’t save you from the game’s more petrifying moments, nor does it diminish the more euphoric moments of massacre. Horrors lurk around every corner, and god damn if the plan isn’t to shoot them with a shotgun until they die. The beauty in DUSK are the feelings it evokes regardless of playstyle. However difficult you choose to make that shot, and however many times you plan to take it, it’s guaranteed to make your heart race.