Karma The Dark World, A Review

In an era where indie games increasingly rival big AAA titles in atmosphere and narrative depth, Karma The Dark World emerges—a first-person psychological thriller combining exploration, narrative choices, and dystopian paranoia. Developed by Chinese studio Pollard Studio, this title isn’t just another attempt to "tell a dark story," but an ambitious vision of a world where the mind has become the final battleground. And more importantly—in most of its attempts, Karma succeeds.

In a mood for a big AAA game? Check out our Assassin’s Creed Shadows, review!

The Story Of Karma The Dark World

The game is set in an alternate version of East Germany in 1984, where the megacorporation Leviathan tightly controls society through technology, substances, and ideological indoctrination. The player assumes the role of Daniel McGovern, an agent of the special unit Roam, who uses advanced technology to enter suspects' minds and explore their memories. Yes, yes, I hear you screaming—this sounds like another standard dystopian trope, but the way the game approaches this idea is anything but superficial.

Precisely this ability to "walk" through someone’s memories gives the game a distinct flair—a blend of film noir with David Lynch-esque storytelling. It feels like watching episodes of Twin Peaks, full of surreal moments. Each "entry" into a mind becomes a visual and emotional journey through symbolism, traumatic events, and distorted reality. Discomfort and tension are present from the first moment, and the game uses this brilliantly, avoiding cheap horror tricks.

The Gameplay

At first glance, Karma screams "walking simulator," but the reality is far more complex. The game is built on exploration, puzzle-solving, and careful environmental reading—both physical and mental. Most puzzles are logical and organically woven into the narrative, though some segments may frustrate due to weak player feedback.

Controls are simple, and the interface is minimalist, enhancing immersion. There’s no distracting HUD—everything the player sees and hears comes from the game world. Beyond puzzles, the game occasionally offers moral choices that can influence certain scenes, adding to the sense of agency and connection with the story—and, of course, replay value.

The biggest flaw in gameplay is its pacing. The game can be slow, sometimes to the point of making you want to violently exit this world. Some segments drag on too long without clear purpose or reward, which may bother players expecting more dynamism. However, for those willing to surrender to the atmosphere and contemplation, this won’t be a problem but an advantage.

The Look and Feel of Karma The Dark World

Karma is visually stunning. Unreal Engine 5 does a lion’s share of work in depicting both the "real" world of East Germany and the twisted mental landscapes Daniel traverses. Special attention is paid to lighting and environmental details—every scrap of paper, every stain on the wall, every blurred reflection in a mirror. And let me note that this is one of the RARE Unreal Engine 5 games where I didn’t have to tinker with the "Engine.ini" file. Everything ran smoothly from the start.

The memories you explore often resemble art installations: endless hallways, rooms bending at impossible angles, faceless figures, bilingual subconscious messages floating in the air. All of this amplifies disorientation and paranoia, while light and shadow effects deepen the unease.

The Breathtaking Audio

Sound in Karma The Dark World is one of its strongest aspects. From ambient background noise to eerie musical transitions and perfectly measured silence—everything works as a tension-building mechanism. Voice acting is decent, without major fluctuations, but the atmosphere relies most on whispers, echoes of the past, and unsettling environmental sounds.

The use of binaural audio stands out when inside memories—sounds come from all directions, sometimes illogically, creating chaos and claustrophobia. If you play with headphones, prepare for an intensely tense (but brilliant) audio experience.

What truly sets Karma apart is its narrative treatment. This isn’t a game that holds your hand. In fact, you’ll often be unsure whether what you’re seeing is a memory, hallucination, or a manifestation of Daniel’s own trauma. The game uses symbolism as a narrative tool—to understand what’s happening, you must connect symbols, dialogue, and events.

In Conclusion

The themes it tackles aren’t light—mental illness, manipulation, propaganda, and the question of free will. Through Daniel’s perspective, we gradually uncover deeper truths not just about the system he lives in, but about the protagonist himself. The finale (which we won’t spoil) leaves a strong impression and lingers in the player’s mind long after completion.

Though not perfect—with occasional pacing drops, technical hiccups, and some confusing segments—Karma is a bold and impressive debut for a studio that clearly knows how to tell a story. And make you feel it.

Final Score: 8.5/10 

A gripping psychological thriller with superb atmosphere and narrative depth, held back slightly by pacing issues and occasional confusion.

Recommended Age: 

16+ due to mature themes, psychological horror, and complex storytelling that younger audiences may find overwhelming.