Dark Fall: The Journal

While P&C Adventures, especially spooky ones and ones in a hotel, are my absolute favorite, this game was more of a chore than a challenge. Many of the spots you had to click on were a dreaded pixel hunt. It was Myst style navigation, meaning once you went somewhere, you had troubles getting back. For example for some reason at the end of each hallway, the stairs appear to go up but actually go down. You also need to take lots of notes and screen shots as there is no journal or map or hint system. It's beyond Nintendo hard. I really appreciate how large the hotel is, the spooky atmosphere and all the little photos and notes. And some may even enjoy it, but for me it was much more work than play, which isn't very fun. Shame because you can tell alot went into it. Maybe they can update and re-release it.

To me, this game means so much. It was one of the first games as a kid I saw my grandfather playing on his computer one day and I've loved it ever since. It's a fun puzzle game and you should make sure you write anything down that you find because man, these puzzles are doozers. I haven't gotten the chance to play the second dark fall yet, but I still have my dark fall game box set that my grandfather had. This game has so many memories locked up in it for me. I miss my grandfather. I be he would have really liked to have played the second one.

This is a low-budget and poorly aged point-and-click puzzle adventure game from 2002, but it actually feels like it's from the early 90's because of its primitive technical development; therefore, it's so antique to play in 2024.

[b]Dark Fall 1: The Journal[/b] es una aventura gráfica en primera persona de las de antes, de aquellas que no te lleva de la mano. Cuenta con una ambientación y audio escalofriantes, muy conseguidos, con algunos puzles un poco más enrevesados de lo acostumbrado hoy en día. Además, no hay nada dentro del juego donde se guarde la información conseguida, hemos de copiarla a mano, a lo que habría que sumar que el título está completamente en inglés. Aunque creo que lo que hace lo hace muy bien, es un título que sólo gustará a un público muy específico. [h1]Desapariciones en Dowerton[/h1] Una preocupante llamada de su hermano llevará a nuestro protagonista a la abandonada estación de tren en Dowerton (localización londinense ficticia), donde ciertas desapariciones en el pasado y presente parecen estar conectadas. La historia en sí no es muy original, se ha hecho anteriormente en distintos medios, pero la manera en la que se presenta es otro cantar. Las escalofriantes localizaciones, con una oscura ambientación y llena de posters, panfletos y cartas de sus tiempos de esplendor pintan una historia bastante detallada e interesante. Eso sí, completamente en inglés. Además del idioma, el juego presenta un pero bastante importante: la falta de accesibilidad. Por casualidad descubrí que puedes activar subtítulos con la tecla F1 pero aun así no todo está subtitulado. No se puede cambiar la resolución (640x480), lo que en ocasiones dificulta apreciar algunos detalles, o modificar los niveles de audio o brillo. Recorreremos la estación y, en especial, el hotel de tres plantas mediante pantallas estáticas donde usaremos el puntero del ratón para decidir con qué interactuar o la dirección en las que nos moveremos. La principal finalidad es filtrar información, discernir entre lo que son pistas para los distintos puzles y aquello que amplía la narración. No es tan complicado pero requiere nuestra completa atención, teniendo que apuntarla en lápiz y papel ya que no se guarda en ningún sitio dentro del juego. Lo cierto es que empecé el juego sin saber exactamente cómo iba, por lo que la primera hora fue un tanto extraña. Pero al avanzar, empezar a tomar notas cuando vi cómo funcionaba y ver la forma en la que las distintas historias forman parte de un todo, me resultó una gran experiencia. Por suerte, comentar que existe una zona cerca del principio del juego que podemos visitar cuando queramos donde nos dará una pista sobre el siguiente paso a seguir. No es muy explícita pero puede ayudar si nos atascamos y no queremos usar guía. En cuanto al estado técnico. Pese a los años que tiene me ha funcionado sin problemas (más allá de las limitaciones técnicas mencionadas) y el único [i]bug[/i] que he sufrido es al salir del juego, que a veces no se cerraba correctamente. El juego no es muy largo, así que aunque nos atasquemos aquí y allá la duración debería rondar las 6-7 horas. No tiene finales alternativos ni se desbloquea nada al completarlo.

Cannot get the game to run properly on Windows 11. The resolution defaults to 640 and no matter what keyboard key I press no options pop up allowing change of resolution, no help on controls.

This game is fantastic! Not perfect, but fantastic. It took a bit of getting used to as there is not really any opening tutorial for controls (it took me a long time to realize how to use the goggles!) or instructions other than to find your brother. I would've appreciated an in-game tasklist, but I had fun keeping notes myself in a notebook and trying to keep all the characters straight. It was easy to become attached to all the characters as you learn more about them and what happened there. The puzzles were fun and not exceedingly difficult for the most part (I did need to look up a solution for like 2 things), and the story was interesting right up to the end! Can't wait to play the second one!

top tier point and click adventure horror with a rich storyline and atmosphere, loved it

Dark Fall: The Journal is a slow-burn psychological horror adventure that deliberately rejects spectacle in favor of atmosphere, mystery, and unease. Developed by Darkling Room and later published on Steam by THQ Nordic, it stands as a clear product of early-2000s adventure design, drawing inspiration from titles like Myst while carving out its own identity through sound-driven horror and meticulous environmental storytelling. Rather than overwhelming the player with action or explicit scares, the game relies on isolation, ambiguity, and suggestion to create a deeply unsettling experience that lingers long after play sessions end. The premise is deceptively simple: after receiving a disturbing message from his brother, the protagonist travels to the abandoned Dowerton railway station, only to find it completely deserted. From the moment you arrive, the location feels wrong—not because of visible monsters, but because of the overwhelming sense that something unseen is present. The station and attached hotel are steeped in history, and as you explore, you gradually uncover a web of disappearances, paranormal investigations, and personal tragedies tied to the site. The narrative unfolds through found documents, audio recordings, and environmental clues, encouraging players to piece together events at their own pace rather than being guided by a traditional storyline. Gameplay is rooted firmly in classic point-and-click adventure traditions. Movement is handled through static, pre-rendered screens, and interaction is deliberate and methodical. There is no map, quest log, or automatic hint system, which forces players to pay close attention to their surroundings and think carefully about how different clues connect. Puzzles are often multi-layered and rely heavily on observation, memory, and logical deduction. It is not uncommon to need to take handwritten notes, especially when dealing with recurring symbols, numbers, or cryptic messages. This design can feel unforgiving to modern players, but it also reinforces immersion, making the act of investigation feel more personal and involved. Visually, Dark Fall: The Journal is undeniably dated, but its limitations work in its favor more often than not. The static backgrounds and muted color palette contribute to a sense of stillness and decay, as if the world itself has been frozen in time. What truly elevates the experience, however, is the sound design. Subtle audio cues—footsteps echoing in empty corridors, faint whispers over broken radios, distant mechanical hums—are used masterfully to create tension. Many of the game’s most frightening moments come not from what you see, but from what you hear and cannot explain, leaving your imagination to fill in the blanks. The horror in Dark Fall is almost entirely psychological. There are no traditional enemies, no combat, and no chase sequences. Fear comes from anticipation and the slow realization that the environment is actively reacting to your presence. Lights flicker, objects move when you’re not looking, and voices emerge from nowhere. The game is content to let you wander in silence for long stretches, which makes every unexpected sound or change feel deeply unnerving. This approach won’t appeal to players looking for constant stimulation, but for those who appreciate subtle horror, it is remarkably effective. Pacing is deliberately slow, and this can be a double-edged sword. The game encourages thorough exploration, which often means revisiting the same locations multiple times as new information becomes available. For some players, this reinforces the feeling of being trapped in a haunted place with a past that refuses to stay buried. For others, it may feel tedious, especially when progress stalls due to an overlooked clue or misunderstood puzzle logic. The lack of guidance means frustration is a real possibility, but overcoming these moments can also be highly rewarding. Community reception reflects this niche appeal. Fans of classic adventure games and atmospheric horror often praise Dark Fall for its mood, sound design, and commitment to slow-burn storytelling. Critics, on the other hand, frequently point to its outdated presentation, opaque puzzles, and lack of accessibility for modern audiences. It is not a game that adapts itself to the player; instead, it demands patience and attentiveness, rewarding those willing to meet it on its own terms. Ultimately, Dark Fall: The Journal is less about being scared in a conventional sense and more about being unsettled over time. It succeeds by making the player feel alone, uncertain, and constantly watched, even when nothing overtly threatening is happening. While its age and design philosophy mean it will not appeal to everyone, it remains a memorable and influential example of how atmosphere, sound, and storytelling can create horror without relying on violence or spectacle. For players who enjoy thoughtful puzzles, quiet dread, and immersive mystery, it remains a standout experience within the genre. Rating: 7/10

If you are into old point-and-click adventure games, you should give this game a try if you aren't scared of horror games. The sound effects and music ♥♥♥♥ with your brain as you play it, although some of the puzzles aren't good, its still a good game.

An old classic. I was quite impressed as I have never played this game before. It's a solid point and click horror game with great narrative depth and interesting, detailed environments. The voice acting is surprisingly good and overall, it's a fun experience. The puzzles are difficult but not impossible and I only looked at a walkthrough for a couple points that I just happened to miss while exploring on my own. Overall, a solid old game. No technical difficulties other than it's locked to a certain scale in fullscreen but I had no issue with it.