Karma: The Dark World

Karma: The Dark World

March 27, 2025

PCPlayStation 5

KARMA: The Dark World is a first-person cinematic psychological thriller set in a dystopian world where the Leviathan Corporation is omnipresent. The time is 1984, the place is East Germany, and things are not quite what they seem.

Critic Score

77.9

35 critic reviews

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Critic Reviews (35)

Allisandra Reyes Game8 Mar 2025
80.0 /100

"KARMA: The Dark World builds fear through disorientation, uncertainty, and mental manipulation. It’s a game that forces you to piece together a reality that refuses to stay still, all while questioning whether you are uncovering the truth, or simply losing …"

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Ben Sheene Digital Chumps Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

87.0

Gameplay

38.0

Story

68.0

"Despite an obtuse overarching narrative and minimal gameplay, Karma: The Dark World continually swings for the fences. Pollard Studio&s;s debut heavily leans on artistic direction that will linger with the player long after the story fades from memory."

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Branislav Kohút SECTOR.sk Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

65.0

Gameplay

45.0

Story

70.0

"There are games that make you think - about the universe, the meaning of life, what is important and where we are going, the consequences of our actions. This psychological thriller evokes anything but indifference."

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Clint Morrison, Jr. The Punished Backlog Mar 2025
75.0 /100

Graphics

85.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

65.0

"KARMA: The Dark World is a love letter to David Lynch. While its framing narrative is a little too straightforward, its dream sequences craft nightmarish spaces that linger in the player’s imagination. KARMA won’t be for everybody, but neither are …"

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Coller Entragian Cubed3 Mar 2025
70.0 /100

Graphics

65.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

85.0

"There’s something magnetic about Karma: The Dark World&s;s unhinged ambition. It&s;s a debut that dares to be weird and weighty, even if it trips over its own complexity. Karma is a flawed and very interesting gem, a game that’s as …"

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Daniele Cucchiarelli The Games Machine Mar 2025
76.0 /100

Graphics

30.0

Gameplay

20.0

Story

85.0

"An horror adventure with a strong cinematic flavour, with aesthetics and themes reminiscent of the works of Lynch, Cronenberg and Nolan. The gameplay is reduced to a minimum and there are a few too many bugs, which however do not …"

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Darío Gadea La Orden del Pixel Mar 2025
100.0 /100

Graphics

70.0

Gameplay

85.0

Story

95.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a cinematic adventure that raises several questions in a dystopia that doesn&s;t need cheap tricks to make us feel terror. Pollard Studio offers a slow-paced, cerebral adventure. It&s;s no surprise that its developers took certain …"

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Domenico Musicò Spaziogames Mar 2025
65.0 /100

Graphics

60.0

Gameplay

35.0

Story

70.0

"The stylistic choices and the intention to offer a game that challenges the conventions of the sci-fi horror genre are commendable, but the overall feeling is one of a missed opportunity. If you&s;re a fan of the genre and looking …"

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Eric Hauter Gaming Nexus Mar 2025
70.0 /100

Graphics

90.0

Gameplay

60.0

Story

55.0

"A beautifully rendered but ultimately familiar adventure game, Karma: The Dark World is neither scary nor thrilling. Meticulously build and gorgeous to look at, the gameplay is nonetheless a slow roll through a pre-rendered Kafka-inspired story, with little in the …"

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Gareth Newnham Impulsegamer Mar 2025
70.0 /100

Graphics

65.0

Gameplay

80.0

Story

75.0

"A surprisingly touching cyberpunk thriller that will stick with you long after the credits roll"

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Heidi Hawes WayTooManyGames Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

68.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

80.0

"KARMA: The Dark World delivers a mind-bending, unsettling, and utterly heartbreaking experience, the likes of which are rarely seen in the realm of walking sims. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. With a runtime of about six …"

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İdil Barbaros Atarita Mar 2025
70.0 /100

Graphics

65.0

Gameplay

68.0

Story

72.0

"Karma: The Dark World explores the effects of a dystopian system on both society and the individual, offering a promising psychological horror premise. However, its 8-hour runtime falls short of realizing that potential, ending up as an average experience despite …"

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Joao Victor Manual dos Games Mar 2025
82.0 /100

Graphics

78.0

Gameplay

82.0

Story

86.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a narrative thriller set in a 1984-inspired dystopia. In it, the player takes on the role of an agent investigating deviant minds amidst fragmented memories and the occult. Despite the simple gameplay, the engaging story, …"

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Joelle Daniels GamingBolt Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

75.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

80.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a fun interactive story that has you explore the darkest reaches of the human psyche with excellent surreal horror and an interesting story to uncover."

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Liam Magee Thumb Wars Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

88.0

Gameplay

85.0

Story

92.0

"Overall, Karma: The Dark World was an enjoyable experience that managed to keep me on my toes with the gameplay loop as well as have me questioning everything that was going on as I explored some of the most haunting …"

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Luca Giordano Indie Games Devel Mar 2025
75.0 /100

Graphics

78.0

Gameplay

65.0

Story

85.0

"Finishing KARMA: The Dark World leaves a lasting, visceral impression- a psychological weight that persists beyond the credits, compelling reflection on the game’s themes. The experience does not cater to instant gratification or easy approval; it aims to leave a …"

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Marcel Dee A Gaming Network Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

96.0

Gameplay

82.0

Story

94.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a haunting and visually breathtaking psychological thriller. With stunning presentation, top-tier voice acting, and a deeply emotional narrative, it stands as one of the most memorable and meaningful gaming experiences in years. While its slower …"

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Matheus Jenevain Pizza Fria Mar 2025
85.0 /100

Graphics

30.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

90.0

"KARMA: The Dark World is one of the best walking simulators I&s;ve played in recent times, purely because of its visual identity, its themes and the way it builds its universe."

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Mehmet Derin Tourens Mar 2025
75.0 /100

Graphics

70.0

Gameplay

65.0

Story

85.0

"As an indie horror game, it’s truly impressive. Despite some general gameplay issues, it’s a recommended experience for fans of the genre."

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Michael Seifert ThreeTwoPlay Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

80.0

Gameplay

75.0

Story

92.0

"Karma: The Dark World strives to be art, drawing on some genre classics and for the most part, it succeeds quite well, delivering an immersive and, above all, creepy experience for players. There are moments when the game is a …"

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Miles Thompson FingerGuns Mar 2025
70.0 /100

Graphics

65.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

75.0

"KARMA: The Dark World presents a wonderfully horrifying alternate history world to become enveloped in, thanks to its superb visuals, excellent soundtrack and engrossing themes. Its story is perhaps overly ambitious with plenty of confusion and its light gameplay elements …"

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Paul Hunter NextGen Player Mar 2025
75.0 /100

Graphics

68.0

Gameplay

78.0

Story

80.0

"Its slow-burn narrative, challenging puzzles, and surreal visuals create a haunting atmosphere that keeps you questioning reality."

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Raouf Belhamra Digitale Anime Mar 2025
80.0 /100

""Atmospheric dread with emotional depth" Karma: The Dark World stands out as a powerful, artistic horror game, blending surreal visuals with immersive audio to deliver a unique psychological experience. Despite some technical flaws and repetitive gameplay, the game touches on …"

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Reid McCarter PCGamesN Mar 2025
40.0 /100

Graphics

10.0

Gameplay

20.0

Story

35.0

"A fantastic soundtrack and handful of excellent scenes aren&s;t enough to give Karma: The Dark World an identity greater than the number of sci-fi and horror classics it bluntly references throughout its story."

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Riccardo Amalfitano 4News.it Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

60.0

Gameplay

40.0

Story

90.0

"Karma: The Dark World is not a game for those looking for fast-paced action or conventional horror. It is a slow, cerebral experience-as exciting as it is challenging-that relies heavily on atmosphere and symbolism, leaving the player free to interpret …"

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Richard Dobson TheXboxHub Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

78.0

Gameplay

75.0

Story

82.0

"KARMA: The Dark World is the kind of game that will stick with you long after you complete it. Far from perfect, with a disappointing third act and some major performance issues, thankfully the pros outweigh the cons."

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Richard Walker Xbox Achievements Mar 2025
50.0 /100

"Karma: The Dark World is a psychological horror game that counts the works of late director David Lynch among its influences. So much so that one sequ..."

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Rui Celso PSX Brasil Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

75.0

Gameplay

90.0

Story

85.0

"Bizarre, unfiltered and mind-blowing. The experience in KARMA: The Dark World is insane, just the way I like it and the way a psychological horror game should be. Although it has some technical issues, it manages to deliver tension without …"

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Stuart Cullen TechStomper Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

25.0

Gameplay

25.0

Story

25.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a horror experience that&s;s not about gore or jump scares - a haunting atmosphere is the base for a psychological, dread-filled journey."

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Subhasish Das Gameffine Mar 2025
80.0 /100

Graphics

85.0

Gameplay

75.0

Story

90.0

"Despite its limited gameplay mechanics, Karma: The Dark World manages to elevate its experience with its atmospheric storytelling and stunning visuals. It is a thought-provoking journey that challenges perceptions and leaves a lasting impression. For fans of psychological horror and …"

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Tael Qabadi CriticLenz Mar 2025
75.0 /100

Graphics

75.0

Gameplay

75.0

Story

75.0

"Karma asks not &s;can you win?&s; but &s;can you heal?&s; In prioritizing emotional resonance over mechanical depth, it becomes one of gaming&s;s rare works of psychological alchemy."

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Taha Omar ReGame It Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

75.0

Gameplay

85.0

Story

85.0

"The game is distinguished by its deep and symbolically charged story, which discusses existential human issues and psychological conflicts that touch the player on a personal and emotional level. It is an experience that leaves an unforgettable inner impression, and …"

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Vladan Nastanović EmuGlx.org Mar 2025
85.0 /100

Graphics

70.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

70.0

"Karma: The Dark World is a game where action is almost nonexistent. On the other hand, it offers a surprising and disturbing journey through the psyche of an individual and the system that pulverises them to the ground. If you …"

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Vladimír Rusnák SomGeek Mar 2025
80.0 /100

"KARMA: The Dark World is a high-quality horror title that will please all fans of the genre and is one of the best horror games that has come out in recent years."

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Zachary Holmes TheBigBois Mar 2025
90.0 /100

Graphics

85.0

Gameplay

70.0

Story

90.0

"Karma: The Dark World is less about what you do and more about what it makes you feel. It’s a game built on mood, metaphor, and meaning—not on combat or action. And for those willing to let it pull them …"

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