The Darkblade is a 2D souls-like RPG by Mikalyh. With a story about self-discovery, challenging gameplay, pixel art visuals, and dynamic music. So, what’s this game about?
The Knight L
You will be playing as L, a wandering knight who doesn’t even know who he really is. Right from the start, you can tell this game is about a journey of self-discovery. Complete with mysterious secrets about the Dark Core, which is also at the heart of the story.
But The Darkblade isn’t just a straight line. In this game, you’re free to tackle the main mission or take on some side quests first. There are also plenty of dungeons you can clear to get loot, or just grind if you want to power up your character.
Even better, L isn’t alone because he’s accompanied by a cute cat pet who sticks with him throughout the journey. The fantasy vibes here are rather classic, but it’s little details like this that make the experience more enjoyable.
Easy but Hard
For a souls-like game, The Darkblade has surprisingly easy controls. Movement, attacks, and combos are pretty easy to learn. So new players won’t instantly feel frustrated.
But don’t get too comfortable. Behind its simple controls, the enemies in this game will absolutely make you rage. Especially in Hardcore mode, where enemies can one-hit kill you without mercy.
The skill and upgrade system is also quite nice. You can unlock new moves, chain combos, and even use dark arts once you’ve progressed far enough. So every time you beat an enemy that seemed impossible, it feels really rewarding.
Of course, the difficulty level makes many players think the game is unfair. But honestly, that’s expected since it was marketed as a souls-like from the beginning. It’s naturally going to be frustrating.
Rage Baiter
Kinda fitting why The Darkblade is often called a rage-bait game. Take its fall damage system for example. Imagine, your character can jump super high but can also die easily just from falling.
And not to mention it’s a 2D sidescroller, the platforming can get tricky. If your platforming skills aren’t great, you’re in for some real pain.
Then Hardcore mode, in particular, can really turn into a nightmare. Especially with the one-shotting enemies and deaths from just one bad jump. Playing this game can sometimes feel more rage-inducing than fun.
But maybe that’s exactly how the dev designed it, to show the souls-like essence. And that’s the charm of it. You will keep coming back, determined to beat it and feel proud when you finally do.
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Cool Atmosphere
Visually, The Darkblade is simple but still pleasing. The pixel art is colorful and isn’t overly dark. So the fantasy world remains nice to look at.
Character portraits are anime-styled, making NPC interactions feel livelier and less monotonous. Even though the visuals are quite modest, they still support the adventurous atmosphere and the serious tone of the story.
I must say that the music is also a pleasant surprise. Instead of relying solely on traditional medieval tunes, the game features a dynamic soundtrack that pumps you up.
In villages, the music stays calm since there’s no danger. But once you encounter enemies or bosses, the tempo rises, making your adrenaline spike.
It perfectly matches the game’s style. Frustrating but still motivating you to keep trying. Overall, the atmosphere mixes tension, excitement, and curiosity in a way that keeps you hooked.
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Challenge Worth Taking
The Darkblade is one of those games that makes players love it but hate it at the same time. The story is intriguing, the gameplay is solid, but the frustration level is sky rocketing.
Still, beneath all that rage, there’s a deep RPG experience. With a story of self-discovery that never gets old.
And of course, if you’re a souls-like fan, this is a must-have on your wishlist. But if you’re quick to anger, be warned. Your keyboard or nearby objects might not survive the catastrophe.
My advice is to try Casual mode first. Then try jumping into Hardcore once you’ve sharpened your skills.
So, prove that you can survive in this 2D souls-like world! Download The Darkblade now!