Karma: The Dark World Review

By Justin D Williams

In the gaming landscape of brimming with high-octane action and fast paced shooters, Karma: The Dark World dares to slow things down- inviting players into a brooding psychological thriller where the scariest place isn’t the world outside, but the mind itself. Developed by Pollard Studio and running on Unreal Engine 5, the game drops you into the alternate version of 1980s East Germany where the oppressive Leviathan Corporation rules with an iron fist- and even thoughts are subject to surveillance. You play as Daniel McGovern, a Roam Agent for Leviathan’s Thought Bureau, tasked with infiltrating the memories of suspects in search of hidden truths. But this is no traditional detective story. Instead, it’s a cerebral experience built on moody visuals, surreal encounters and existential dread.

Graphics: The first thing you’ll notice is the breathtaking atmosphere. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, the environments drip with oppressive beauty- dim corridors bathed in flickering neon, decaying brutalist structures, and memoryscapes that shift with dreamlike logic. Every scene feels designed to keep you on edge, and the art direction is consistently eerie and striking without being overindulgent.

Story: Narratively, Karma: The Dark World dives deep into heavy themes: identity, control, reality, and the limits of human perception. Some players will relish this ambition, especially if they enjoy piecing together fragmented narratives and interpreting symbolism. Others may find the story dense or occasionally too cryptic for it’s own good. It’s not spoon-fed storytelling- it asks you to do the work and sometimes it overreaches.

Gameplay: The gameplay emphasizes exploration and mental immersion. There are puzzles to solve, memories to reconstruct, and environments to study. Don’t expect traditional combat or fast movement- this is about internal journeys, not firefights. It’s a slow pace game and methodical, if you’re looking for fast pace you won’t find it here. But if your’e a fan of games like Observer or SOMA, Karma: The Dark World will likely resonate.

Final Rating: BUY IT!/B+

Karma: The Dark World isn’t for everyone, it is a slow burn game, but its story and world building keep you engaged. You will have one hell of a time with the twists and turns coming your way.