Karma: The Dark World
March 27, 2025
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
User Score
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Critic Reviews (35)
"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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
65.0
Gameplay
80.0
Story
75.0
"A surprisingly touching cyberpunk thriller that will stick with you long after the credits roll"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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, …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original review""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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original review"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..."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original reviewGraphics
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 …"
Read original review"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."
Read original reviewGraphics
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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