Explore the space between dream and reality in Dark and Bright

Dark and Bright is an RPG with some puzzle-game elements. In this game, you play Grouchweasel, a discontented soul frustrated with his life. When Grouchweasel finds himself in a strange, dreamlike landscape, he must find his way back to reality. Unless, of course, this is reality and has been all along.

An eerie exploration

In Dark and Bright, you venture through 15 different levels, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and exploring new areas to advance the game’s story. Choose between 4 different characters, each with a unique ability that you’ll need to get past puzzles and find your way through this strange world. Most of the time, you’ll explore the levels, avoiding touching enemies and other hazards and looking for the magic orbs you need to advance. The graphics are mainly monochrome, although colour is used to emphasise certain scenes. The graphics are hand-drawn, and although they’re simple they’re very atmospheric.

An interesting exploration of unreality

RPGs often take place in a world that’s unreal and artifical. Dark and Bright takes advantage of that fact to tell a story in which the protagonist actually questions his grasp on reality. It has some rough edges, but it’s still compelling.