A Masterpiece of a Game
Thu Dec 10 2015 GallopmadWhen I first played A Dark Room years ago, I had stumbled across the browser version and only put maybe an hour or so into it. Those of you who have played know this barely scratches the surface of the game, but even so, when I came across the app quite a long time after, I didn't hesitate to buy it. I've replayed it an uncountable number of times.
The Ensign provides just as enthralling and incredible of an experience. This game is brutal, don't get me wrong, but it's brutality adds to the story in a way I've never seen before. I found myself occasionally wanting to die so I could see how the game changed. Of course, there were also the times (much more frequent) where I found myself cursing and having to put the game down because I'd died of my own carelessness. The frustration is entirely worth it. Stay with it. Start again, as much as you won't want to. I can't tell you the number of times this game made me pause and gave me chills.
The Ensign, as well as the original A Dark Room, are exquisite games with unique, rich storytelling and gameplay. I cannot recommend them enough.
Mindblowing on so many levels
Thu Mar 31 2016 Jonahman45I cannot explain in words how much I love this game. It will make you feel so many emotions because of its brutal story, amazing gameplay, and the decisions you make. However, if you haven't played A Dark Room, do NOT play this game. Play a dark room first, otherwise you will not get the full experience. This game is hard at first, and you will be frustrated. Sometimes you have to die to progress into the game. The game even mocks you sometimes when you die. My favorite and most aggravating was when I was killed by a sniper. I had gotten pretty far, and by my foolishness I went too far from the center and encountered a sniper. He killed me and I had to start over. As I was passing through the introduction, the screen turned black and a single word in red appeared. headshot. I smiled and wanted to smash my phone against the wall. So to finish this up, the game is well worth the 99 cents. I would pay $10 for this game because I love it so much. The story is so rich, brutal, and sad. It makes you question who to trust and which side you really should be on. And I just love it.
Hard but fun and rewarding. Frustrating Bug at endgame.
Mon Jan 10 2022 T-BandzzxxI played both this and a dark room back when it first came out and I was a kid. I just recently came back to it and in my opinion it’s an extremely fun and challenging game. It’s very tempting to just walk around without purpose but every step matters because you have to constantly watch your food and water levels. The battles are fun but fair and the fighting seems RNG like at first because you can either hit or miss but typically you lose fights from lack of preparation rather than being “unlucky”. I think that if you enjoy a thoughtful storyline along with challenging gameplay this game is for you.
HOWEVER one critique I have is a bug at the end of the game. When you get to the end of the game after completing it a specific way you unlock a mode, but it’s bugged and the screen does not show properly so you can’t use it. This is extremely frustrating because a lot of time and effort goes into unlocking this mode. If the developer is reading this please fix!!!
This game is a Masterpiece!
Wed Oct 12 2016 RavenJMSo very many games today are filled with crazy graphics and bright lights...but not this. This is sort of a throwback to games where you actually had to Use your Imagination and THINK! I LOVE IT!! It is a "simple" black and white text based game...but wow! It draws you in and makes you Actually Use your Brain! It's also extremely difficult and takes an amount of persistence that I think is totally lacking in today's gaming world. Most games are filled with immediate gratification for the short attention spans of so many people...Not This! Most games are just Way Way Way too short! Not this! Punishing is a great way to describe the experience of playing this game...which makes the ultimate reward of my persistence That Much More Satisfying!! If you want a whiz bang crazy graphics blitz that only gives you an hour, or maybe two, of easy gaming then go for something else. But if your at all like me, and love a thoughtfully written and Truly Challenging game then this is for you! Thank You!! Awesome Job!! :)
DO NOT ENGAGE THE V IN #
Sun Sep 20 2020 Your Irrational HeroThere’s a fine line between frustrating and fair. This game grabs the line and impales fair in the throat. I adorn the HardPG aspect and its trial and error. But even those have a final checkpoint. Where’s the fun in perfectionist runs? If you’re going to screw the player at the end, AT LEAST let them have a do-over to change it! What’s the point of collecting if all it boils down to is RNG? Whatever. I won when the Mega Defector died. The World is Saved. I did the impossible. The End.
Original 4-5 Star Review Before the Cliff Drop:
All this game is is black and white text on a blank canvas... And it couldn't be any better. This game blows A Dark Room out of the atmosphere and straight into the sun. The moment you first die, you don't know what just happened. It just suddenly happens and there's nothing you could do about it. Then you go through it again. The game taunts you and makes you regret buying it. What draws you away from the game actually brings you closer. The mocking and realization of every death prepares you for the fate that you know is coming... Death. It lets you prepare for every circumstance and you know what? It's good. Nuff said.
One of The Most Rewarding Games of All Time
Fri Feb 25 2022 WilliamD96I started off with this narrative through “A Dark Room.” Upon my first attempt, I instantly realized I had never played anything like it. It challenged me in ways I had never been. The details while minimalistic, immerse the player in a greater way than most console games do. Every word read pulls the player deeper into the world of the game, and constantly makes one want to know more about this dark and mysterious world.
“The Ensign” is just as interesting if not more interesting than “A Dark Room.” It gives a slightly different mechanic when it comes to traversing the dusty path. However, it does an outstanding job of providing the player with a similar yet unique experience compared to “A Dark Room.” It is challenging, immersive, stunning, terrifying, and rewarding all in the same experience. I strongly urge others to play these games and experience both stories for themselves. There has never been a game like this.
Don't give up
Wed Sep 26 2018 porcupine888Yes, I was shocked the first time I died and had to start over. But then I realized that, of course, without the builder's locket to resurrect you (as in ADR), what else could happen? I was IMMENSELY relieved when, on my third try, I started being able to survive the defector fights, and it got better from there. It's actually a good thing that you die so quickly at first - imagine spending two hours on the game the first time, being over halfway done, and THEN dying for the first time and realizing you have to start over?
I've spent 10 hours on this game over the past few days, completed it twice (the second time to get some of the content mentioned in the Secrets that I missed the first time), and am glad I spent the $2. I especially appreciated the hug I got in the red text the time I died during the final space flight due to too few hull hp. That hug was the main reason I didn't give up at that point. (I recommend at least 30 hp, for the record.)
A fun challenge with fun Easter eggs
Mon Aug 19 2024 Ama2016Originally I struggled with the game when a bug cleared my storeroom after one of my deaths, but I kept playing, and now I want to revise my review. I’ve finished it at 100%, completed “the impossible”, the admiral’s ritual, refused food, etc and was given the chance to play in God Mode, which was a lot of fun. I like the story in A Dark Room more but the mechanics of this were more fun I think. I liked the references to other games.
A lot of lore is packed into the game despite it being a “simple” text game. It’s a shame the developer hasn’t done more with this universe, I would love to read or play more. I like that I can picture the apocalyptic landscape for myself. The ritual in particular is cool. I wish there had been some kind of story reward/ending for when you choose not to engage in optional combat and I wish I could have done the ritual on myself but that is ok.
Brutal In The Best Sense of the Word.
Mon Dec 07 2015 PaleopilotI would have to say that this game is brutal and almost impossible. You will die often, as much from your own carelessness as from the enemies you face. However, like many very difficult things it's extraordinarily satisfying, so much so that when I "finished," the game (I don't know if that's even the right word) I actually went back and subjected myself to more brutal death just to "complete" two of the unfinished "tasks." (I'd be clearer but I don't want to give too much away.) this game is not the brooding existential exercise of "A Dark Room," but is a more traditional RPG (although not traditional by the normal standards.) I highly recommend this game if you are up for.a challenge and don't mind some frustration mixed in with your triumph. Or should I say a lot of frustration. Tablet throwing level. I mean it. But buy the game anyway. It's great.
Hard as all heck, but worth it
Tue Nov 15 2022 Sensai WuuuThere are few apps left on the App Store like this one. I played this years ago and loved it, but the additions of a new ending, a little more of the story, the defectors and the 2 dope swords in the ship easily makes it my favorite game on the store. The eerie feelings of going from house to house in a bleak and dark landscape, some with real thought provoking decisions being presented, are powerful. I had to literally stop the game to think about the decision with the defenseless woman. Not many games can do that, especially on the App Store. I love this game, I love struggling in the beginning, I love being a powerful warrior later and I love overcoming the Impossible. High praise for this game. Plus the note in the house near the corner is classic. Thanks for making this.
