KARMA: The Dark World [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

Pollard Studio’s debut title, KARMA: The Dark World, aims to blend psychological horror elements with a dystopian sci-fi mystery, but whilst it doesn’t completely stick the landing, it offers a fascinating and visually stunning experience that’s worth exploring – especially if you’re a fan of the works of the late, great David Lynch.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set in an alternate version of East Germany during the 1980s, KARMA: The Dark World brings players in a world tightly controlled by the Leviathan Corporation, where employees are monitored relentlessly and forced to rely on a drug called Bluebottle in order to maintain peak efficiency. Players take on the role of Daniel McGovern, an agent tasked with investigating crimes against the corporation, though he takes a more unique approach to his detective work: he can dive directly into the minds of suspects to extract the truth. What starts as a routine case quickly unravels into something far more sinister, and as Daniel starts to dig a little deeper, he realizes the case is far more personal than he initially thought.

KARMA: The Dark World excels in its world-building, but its storytelling can be frustratingly vague at times. The game deliberately keeps players in the dark, often throwing them into surreal situations without clear context, and whilst this fits the psychological thriller tone (as well as the Lynchian style of directing which has clearly inspired the game), it occasionally feels disjointed rather than intriguing. The opening in particular is overwhelming, with little explanation of what’s happening, with scenes abruptly transitioning from one bizarre setting to another… it just left me feeling a bit too confused to always appreciate what exactly was going on. It’s something you do get used to the longer you play the game (and you will start to piece some things together), but I rarely felt like I knew what exactly was going on during my playthrough.

The game does do a good job of exploring heavy themes though, questioning the nature of control, free will, and the cost of blind corporate loyalty. It’s not subtle in doing so (something that’s clear almost immediately with the authoritarian nature of the Leviathan Corporation), but it does give a clearer sense of direction for some of the story’s more confusing moments.

“KARMA: The Dark World is a visually stunning psychological thriller that doesn’t always hit the mark but still delivers a hauntingly unique experience.”

Whilst it isn’t perfect, I did enjoy the storytelling of KARMA: The Dark World. I don’t want to give away too much, especially since it really is the crux of the experience, but it had enough going on to keep me intrigued to find out more. And sure, the questions I had didn’t always get answered, but the journey through each narrative thread always brought a sense of mystery that I simply could not let go of. And hey… I’ll appreciate any game that includes some nods to Twin Peaks… just look at the screenshots.

On the gameplay front, KARMA: The Dark World is essentially an atmospheric walking simulator with puzzles and psychological horror elements sprinkled in, which is something I’m actually very fond of. Players explore surreal dreamscapes, solve puzzles, and gather clues, and whilst there’s little in the way of action or deep interaction, you’ll always feel like you’re involved in the storytelling process. Some of the game’s puzzles are actually really clever in design, playing nicely into the game’s themes and requiring players to think outside of the box to solve, though those expecting a challenging experience might be left underwhelmed. KARMA: The Dark World very much holds the players hand throughout, and whilst there are stumbling blocks in your path, you’ll always feel like you’re being led to the next story beat.

Just be warned: there are some chase sequences in the game, which I know can be hit-and-miss with horror fans. Honestly? I actually like them, and whilst I’d be lying if I said they felt particularly challenging or intense, they offered a sense of danger that isn’t otherwise present in the game. Whilst some may argue they could be unnecessary or offer cheap thrills, I thought that they complemented the experience.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Where KARMA: The Dark World truly shines is with its gorgeous presentation. The game is visually breathtaking, blending hyper-realistic environments with abstract, dreamlike sequences that are constantly changing to toy with the player’s mind. It’s unsettling, but in that effective psychological horror kind of way where you never quite know what you’ll see next. The audio design complements the presentation perfectly, with the tense and haunting soundtrack enhancing the disturbing tone.

KARMA: The Dark World is not a game for those looking for fast-paced action or conventional horror. It’s a slow, cerebral experience that leans heavily on atmosphere and symbolism, whilst the player is left to interpret a lot of its ideas in their own way. That was enough for me, and the game did enough during its six-hour runtime to keep me invested – I do think this is going to be a divisive release that won’t be for everyone, though.

Developer: Pollard Studio
Publisher: Wired Productions
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), PC
Website: https://karmadarkworld.com/