Dark Hours
Release Date: October 24, 2024 Early Access
Action, FPP, survival horror, stealth, online, co-op, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
An FPP coop survival game for up to 4 players. In Dark Hours we play as robbers who get trapped in an auction house building with a demonic entity hunting them. We must fight for survival and gather the best loot. The rooms in the building are procedurally generated.
Dark Hours is a survival horror game designed primarily for cooperative play. The game was developed by Piece of Cake Studios, a small development team from France, whose portfolio also includes projects such as Hacktag and My Fantastic Ranch.
Plot
In Dark Hours we play the role of robbers who target an auction house. Something goes very wrong along the way. As a result of a supernatural event, the place is taken over by a demonic entity, which begins to hunt the thieves. The only answer is to start the fight for survival and try to find an escape route from the building or wait out until morning.
Gameplay
In Dark Hours we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). The game takes place in a facility, the interior of which (and therefore the layout of rooms, corridors, doors and objects) is procedurally generated. This makes each playthrough different from the previous ones.
The game is based on two pillars. The first core element of the game is to explore dark rooms and collect valuable items, while the second one is to avoid direct confrontations with the monster hunting us. If necessary, we can try to hide, save ourselves by escaping, or... push one of the members of the team directly into the clutches of the attacker.
The chances of survival are ensured by a wide range of tools and possibilities that we have at our disposal during the game. On the list of the former, we can find lock picks, hacking devices, crowbars or even a flashlight, while the latter include, for example, deactivating lasers and cameras or planting additional items for other thieves.
The more stolen goods a character carries, the more noise he makes and the more likely he is to attract the attention of a monster. The hostile creature grows in strength over time, making it more difficult to avoid it as dawn approaches. Thankfully the game offers three levels of difficulty.
Co-op
Dark Hours technically allows to play alone, but it spreads its wings in co-op mode via the Internet for up to 4 people.
Videos and Screens
[0:44] Dark Hours Early Access Launch Trailer
[1:15] Dark Hours Gameplay Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Fun Co-op Experience: Many players enjoy playing with friends, emphasizing the game's ability to create hilarious and memorable moments.
- Unique Concept: The blend of a heist with horror elements is praised, offering a fresh take on both genres.
- Stable Performance: Users report minimal connection issues and good optimization for early access.
- Community Engagement: The developers are responsive to player feedback and actively working on updates, which is appreciated by the community.
- Randomly Generated Maps: The procedural generation of maps adds replayability, even though some feel the layouts become repetitive.
The main cons of the game
- Repetitive Gameplay: Some players feel that the gameplay can become monotonous over time, with limited objectives and similar map layouts.
- Balance Issues: Certain monsters are considered overpowered or buggy, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- Lack of Solo Play: The absence of a single-player mode is a significant drawback for some users who prefer playing alone.
- Private Servers: Finding public lobbies can be difficult, making it challenging for players without a group of friends to join games.
- Bugs and Glitches: Various bugs, such as getting soft-locked or issues with game mechanics, detract from the overall experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Single-Player Mode: Many players express a desire for a solo mode to enjoy the game without needing friends.
- More Map Variety: Users want additional maps and more distinct environments to enhance replayability.
- More Monsters and Content: There is a demand for a greater variety of monsters and gameplay objectives to keep the experience fresh.
- Customizable Controls: The inability to rebind keys is frequently mentioned as a frustrating limitation.
- Improved Game Mechanics: Suggestions for better balance among monsters and enhanced cooperative mechanics are common, as some players feel that certain elements are too simplistic or unbalanced.
Summary
- Overall, while "Dark Hours" shows promise and offers a fun co-op experience, it faces challenges typical of early access games, including repetitive gameplay, balance issues, and a need for more content and features.
Summary generated on:
Dark Hours Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Piece of Cake Studios
Publisher: Piece of Cake Studios
Age restrictions: 18+
Dark Hours System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 970 / Radeon R9 390, 20 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-10600 3.3 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce RTX 2060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 5700, 20 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit