KARMA: The Dark World is an ambitious psychological horror game that largely succeeds in its goals.
In an alternate 1984 East Germany, the massive Leviathan Corporation rules with an iron fist, maintaining control through surveillance, mind-altering drugs, and the promise of utopia for those who fall in line. As Daniel McGovern, an agent of Leviathan's Thought Bureau, you possess the ability to dive into suspects' minds - but at what cost to your own sanity?
The story begins with a classic amnesiac opening - you wake up in a mysterious facility with no memory of how you got there. But KARMA quickly subverts expectations by throwing you into the role of Daniel, whose seemingly routine case of corporate theft spirals into something far more sinister. As you probe deeper into suspects' minds, the lines between reality and memory blur until you can no longer trust your own perception.
The narrative expertly weaves themes of corporate control, surveillance state paranoia, and the malleability of memory. While the influence of works like 1984 is clear, KARMA carves its own identity through its exploration of memory invasion technology and its psychological toll on both the invader and the invaded. The story takes several unexpected turns that genuinely surprised me, though some late-game revelations felt a bit rushed in their execution.
While KARMA is primarily a narrative-focused experience, it offers enough gameplay variety to keep you engaged although I wish it offer a little bit more. The core mechanic involves exploring memories and solving environmental puzzles, which range from decoding symbolic imagery to manipulating dream logic to progress. While not particularly challenging, these puzzles serve the narrative well and help maintain immersion in the world.
The memory diving sequences are where the game truly shines. Each mind you enter has its own rules and internal logic, forcing you to adapt your approach. Sometimes you'll need to piece together fragmented memories, while other times you'll have to escape from manifestations of repressed trauma. These sections are expertly crafted to convey both story and character development through environmental storytelling.
There are also occasional chase sequences and stealth segments that, while not revolutionary, add tension to key moments. The game's sparing use of these more traditional gaming elements makes them feel impactful when they do appear, rather than worn out through overuse.
KARMA's visual design is nothing short of spectacular. The game's alternate 1984 setting combines Soviet-era architecture with retro-futuristic technology to create a uniquely oppressive atmosphere. The Leviathan Corporation's facilities are all sterile whites and cold steel, while the city outside feels perpetually trapped in a grimy twilight state.
The memory sequences showcase the most impressive visual work. Reality warps and shifts in impossible ways, with environments transforming seamlessly to reflect the emotional state of their owners. One moment you might be in a normal office that suddenly begins melting into an abstract nightmare, the next you're walking through a series of impossible M.C. Escher-like structures.
The attention to detail in the visual design extends to the character models and animations. The Thought Bureau agents with their television-screen heads are particularly striking, serving as both a clever metaphor for surveillance and a genuinely unsettling design choice. I love sh*t like this!
The audio design deserves special mention for its contribution to the game's atmosphere. The soundtrack shifts seamlessly between ambient drones and more dramatic orchestral pieces as the situation demands. The sound design in memory sequences is particularly effective, with distorted voices and impossible sounds creating a constant sense of unease.
Voice acting is uniformly strong, with Daniel's performance standing out as he gradually unravels throughout the story. The way his voice becomes increasingly strained and uncertain as the game progresses adds significantly to the psychological horror elements.
Running on PS5, KARMA maintains a solid 60fps throughout most of the experience, with only occasional dips during particularly effects-heavy sequences. The game makes good use of the DualSense controller's haptic feedback, particularly during memory diving sequences where subtle vibrations help convey the unstable nature of the environment.
Loading times are minimal, which helps maintain immersion during transitions between reality and memory sequences. The ray-tracing implementation is particularly impressive, with reflections and lighting effects adding significantly to the game's already strong atmosphere.
KARMA: The Dark World is an ambitious psychological horror game that largely succeeds in its goals. While it may not satisfy players looking for more traditional horror game mechanics, it offers a unique and compelling experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll.It's greatest strength lies in its ability to create genuine unease through its manipulation of reality rather than relying on jump scares or gore. The way it weaves its themes of surveillance, control, and the fragility of memory into both its narrative and gameplay creates a cohesive experience that feels both meaningful and unsettling.
Despite some minor pacing issues in its final act and occasionally simplistic puzzle design, KARMA delivers a memorable journey through the dark corners of human consciousness. It's a must-play for fans of psychological horror and anyone interested in games that push the boundaries of narrative storytelling. I recommend it. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a code provided by the publisher. KARMA: The Dark World is available on PC and PS5.
