From The Darkness is an indie horror game that effectively uses the atmosphere to give you the chills. In this paid first-person adventure from N4bA, you have to revisit the abandoned apartment of your late grandfather to retrieve an old family album. However, the old buildings hold so much more than just dust and decaying wood.

From transporting you to a Russian setting like Summer of ‘58 or the ingenious atmospheric tension as with Phasmophobia, From The Darkness is a definite rollercoaster ride for fans of the horror game genre.

Fight against your surroundings

One aspect that From The Darkness does so well is in capturing the vibes of an old, Soviet Union-era building, complete with old photos, books, and articles. Coupled with the details of an abandoned building–cracked tiles, broken floorboards, and shattered windows–all of its stunning graphics quality makes for an immersive experience. It’s surprising how many times you can be surprised with a mirror or a set of Matryoshka dolls.

In terms of audio, there are no eerie sound effects or edgy songs to help keep you on your toes. The game leaves you alone in silence, with your movement and interaction the only source of sound in the game–unless something else moves. This game proves how silence can also be deafening, and a well-timed noise you’re not expecting is a part of the scare it offers.

Story-wise, the premise is explained early on and you don’t really discover much as you explore the abandoned building. This lack of storytelling persists in the whole game, which has a short playthrough of only 1 to 2 hours. The experience rises in a crescendo of creepiness before dying down in a vague, open-ended story left to imagination. Surprisingly, being left puzzled adds to the cult classic quality of the game.

A short must-try

Despite its vague story and short playthrough time, From The Darkness is an experience that’s rare to come by, even for horror game enthusiasts. It turns something as simple as exploring an old building into something haunting, surprising, and ultimately mind-boggling. Its detailed graphics and masterful use of environment sounds create a totally immersive feel. This game is highly recommended.