The Darkest Tales

The Darkest Tales is a game that you want to like but can't due to some significant issues. The concept isn't exactly new, but it is interesting to see known fairy tales embrace a much darker side. The 2D perspective makes it feel fresh, since other similar titles tend to go with 3D. The characters are fine, but their intrigue comes from the dark turns taken in service of the game. The platforming and combat feel off, and even though there's some depth in the skill tree, those aforementioned factors will make it difficult for players to press through to the end. If you have the patience or don't mind playing on the easy difficulty level to get through this title, then snap it up if it goes on sale. Otherwise, with the platform already flooded with excellent 2D adventure games, it feels safe to skip this one.

The Darkest Tales is near-perfect. With stunning visuals, an engaging story, challenging combat, and puzzles, it’s a great play. Let down slightly by the frustrations of double jumping and unexpected difficulty spikes.

The Darkest Tales is a pleasant title but one that doesn't find the courage to experiment with something new in classic game mechanics. The plot and the settings, however, manage to emerge positively.