The Dark EGG was released Aug 28, 2022, Developed and Published by Transcend Pixels. “A surrealist text-based RPG. You will explore an island, solve puzzles, and fight enemies, all in your attempt to get the Dark Egg” Is the description the developers state about their game.
I downloaded this game on a whim… That may be the best whimsical decision I have ever made. This game to put simply is art… When your hear about text based games your mind probably goes back to the 80’s and 90’s with titles such as: Rouge, Zork, ZZT, Curses, etc. Text based games have a rich history of starting back in the 60’s on main frame computers.
From first hand experience this game offers a little more ambiance than most textbased games. While sparse the sound effects and music can be quite ominous or beautiful depending on the situation. Dark Egg plays similar to pen and paper rpgs like D&D if it was combined with a visual novel. The games setting and writing leaves you feeling unwelcome to this island. Most NPC’s faces are described as hollow and ominous leaving a sort of lovecraftian feel to it and nothing is as it seems.
Through certain parts of the journey you will encounter puzzles varying in difficulty and style.
“A puzzle displayed below”
The game starts with you in a boat heading to the island your map has gotten wet with the ink running out. So you start with a blank map writing down what structures you can see visiting them and filling out your map. Sometimes you may encounter a monster and are thrown into combat “encounters appear to not be random”.
“Map as shown in game”
Combat switch’s to the layout of the room you are currently in. You are allowed a movement action displayed as a circle and can attack and use skills depending on your weapon and distance to the target. This all takes place in turn based style combat. Combat is fun but requires planning and strategy especially when facing a boss or multiple enemies.
“combat displayed below”
The Dark Egg all in all is a fantastic game that I cant’ recommend enough. The game is still in active development with three main areas available to explore. I reached out to Transcend Pixels for a comment and they stated that their inspirations were ” Lovecraft & Silent Hill definitely for their themes. Undertale and Doki Doki Literature Club also are big inspirations for the style of meta light-horror they have.”
Transcend Pixels also stated :they “are planning on doing a Kickstarter for it very soon. Exact dates are unsure, but it won’t be later than next week.”
We wait with bated breath on any news of this game. I would recommend supporting them as much as possible.
” KICKSTARTER WILL BE ADDED WHEN AVALIABLE”
If you wish to have a look at development and Dark Egg itself checkout their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpF5llHAJ4A-k9EoGIrA4vQ
The game in it’s current state is available on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2092620/The_Dark_Egg/
You can support them on patreon : https://www.patreon.com/transcendpixels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077924695117
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/transcendpixels/
All images are owned by Transcend Pixels via The Dark Egg.
Dungeon Dudes Tryo 