Dark December is a free-to-play role-playing game that puts you in the middle of a divine war. The story focuses on the Twelve Gods who created the world and the rising threat of the Evil God, Serpens. You spend your time exploring a dark fantasy world while completing quests and gathering resources. 

As the prequel to Undecember, Dark December explains how the current conflict started and provides background on characters. For newbies, it serves as an introduction to the lore. The game is built to be accessible, offering a mix of solo story missions and cooperative quests. 

Tracing the roots of a divine betrayal

Dark December lets you choose between three main characters: the heavy-hitting Berserker, the agile Raven, or the magic-wielding Morgana. Your primary goal is to follow the main questline to uncover why the gods are at odds. You travel through different regions, fight waves of enemies, and collect loot to stay alive. Each character has a specific role, making it easy to understand your objective during combat.

The mechanics are centered on action-packed combat where you dodge attacks and time your skills. You can improve your hero by using a system of runes that change how your abilities work in the field. Equipment progression is a core feature, as you constantly find and craft better gear from the items dropped by enemies. This loop of fighting and upgrading keeps the game moving at a steady pace.

For endgame content, you can enter the Abyss of Chaos or the Hall of Oblivion to test your build against bosses. There is also a survival mode called Dimensional Rift, where you work with three other players to hold off enemies. However, it is important to note that certain high-level gear enhancements and inventory expansions are locked behind in-app purchases. 

Prelude to the looming chaos

Overall, Dark December provides a solid mechanical experience for fans of the RPG genre. The combat is smooth, and the co-op modes add a nice layer of social play. While the monetization of certain enhancements might frustrate players who want to reach the top level for free, the core game remains functional and easy to play. It is a direct and immersive prequel that delivers exactly what it promises.