The Darkside Detective
The Darkside Detective
Game
Game2021
The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
Developer Spooky Doorway
Delouse your room with sage and pack up your travel-sized ouija board, it’s time to re-enter Twin Lakes - America’s 34th most haunted city. Join Detective McQueen as he puzzles his way through 9 chilling cases, risking life and pixelated limb to solve the macabre mysteries that plague the poor town. From the Steam store page
294 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 1, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
93
LovedLoved
177 positive · 14 negative
95% range 88–96%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 177 | 14 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 13 | 0 | 60 |
| Lemmy * | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Mastodon * | 2 | 0 | 13 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
1,100 of 1,147 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
93% recommend · 174 yes, 14 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 188 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (1,948 of 2,033 positive).
Players widely praise the game's humor, writing, and charming pixel art. [1][2][3] Many reviewers note that puzzles often rely on moon logic and require brute force. [1][4][5] Some players find the sequel a step back from the original due to bloated levels and tedious backtracking. [6][7]
Liked
Representative posts
- [6]
As somebody who loved playing through the first game, this is so disappointing. A huge step back in every conceivable way. Definitely a contender for one of the worst PnC games I have played in years. I gritted my teeth through the first two cases and have had enough. Maybe one day my frustration will pass and I can reset and come back to this. As of right now it is unbearable. The puzzles and logic are ridiculous, …
- [1]
Played way too much of this game. There is not 40 hours of content in this game, do not be fooled. However, I do keep playing it for some reason so that can attest to its quality. Very funny, improves on the first game visually. The soundtrack is just as good as the first game. I do think the puzzles are a little more moonlogic than I would like but it's not that bad. Otherwise great game, excited to see what that …
- [2]
I had a really good time with The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark. If you liked the first game, this one feels like slipping right back into that same weird, spooky-but-goofy world. The pixel art is fantastic and full of charm, and the soundtrack fits the vibe perfectly while you run around solving supernatural nonsense. The writing is probably the best part. The dialogue is funny and witty the whole way …
- [3]
Playing this sequel felt like visiting old friends I didn’t realize I missed this much. The Darkside Detective universe is still as chaotic, funny, and charming as ever — effortlessly blending horror references, absurd humor, and pop culture into something uniquely lovable. Few point-and-click games manage to feel this smooth and consistently entertaining. Honestly, this series deserves way more attention than it …
- [5]
If you liked the first game then you will enjoy this one as well. Pros: The art style The writing The humor Dooley Con: Some puzzles got a little too out there. I didn't need a guide at all for the first one but I had to keep one handy here. Part of it was bizarre logic but a lot of it was that each level in this one was so big that it became too time consuming to try everything on everything until something worked. …
Summarised from 34 of the 286 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
93% of the 188 Steam reviewers we collected recommend The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark. The complaint that keeps coming up: puzzles often feel nonsensical or require moon logic. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 294 · most liked firstDay 535 of posting a Daily Screenshot from the games I've been playing. Today's game is The Darkside Detective. I had gifted a friend a copy of OneShot, and he ended up enjoying it so much he gifted me this as a little game exchange. He said he thought i might like it. Turns out, i really enjoyed it. It's a basic point and click but a lot of fun.  It's humor…
positive · AI labelView post →Day 536 of posting a Daily Screenshot from the games I've been playing. Today's game is some more The Darkside Detective. I was in call with a friend and finished it up today with him. I really enjoyed playing this, and i'm thankful i was gifted it, i don't think i would have tried it other wise.  Overall for the game, Most of the puzzles were pretty…
positive · AI labelView post →time to play THE DARKSIDE DETECTIVE on @prozdplaysgames.bsky.social, this was a charming little micro adventure game www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWrJ...
neutral · AI labelView post →Day 616 of posting a Daily Screenshot from the games I've been playing. Today’s game is **The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark** (which I’ll just be shortening to The Darkside Detective). I played the first one back in January after me and my friend did a game exchange. I gifted him Oneshot (which I absolutely fucking loved) and in return he gifted me this. I loved the original and he ended up gifting me the sequel (unfortunately there’s Oneshot 2 I could gift him).…
positive · AI labelView post →Lovecraft-Inspired Games (list of lists) [Videogame]. cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/8149891 > 1 - [10 Best Lovecraft-Inspired Games According To Metacritic](https://www.thegamer.com/best-lovecraft-inspired-games-metacritic-scores/#cthulhu-saves-the-world---metacritic-rating-78) > - > - Sundered: Eldritch Edition > - Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth > - Cthulhu Saves The World > - Darkwood > - Sunless Sea > - Darkest Dungeon > - Dusk > - Bloodborne > - Eternal…
neutral · AI labelView post →Pixel Dailies #301 #Weirdness "The truth is out there!" Few things are weirder than the X-Files. So we have agents Mulder and Scully in the style of The Darkside Detective, a wonderfully weird point-and-click puzzle game! #pixelart #ドット絵 #XFiles #aseprite #pixel_dailies @pixeldailies.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →12. The Seance at Blake Manor The folks behind the Darkside Detective games switch pixels for a gorgeous Mike Mignola inspired comicbook visuals for this first person detective game set in the west of Ireland, check out that incredibly alluring trailer. store.steampowered.com/app/1395520/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Last day to get The Darkside Detective & The Jackbox Party Pack 4 for free on Epic Games Store buff.ly/aadJJDg the next freebie will be announced at The Game Awards (freebie live at 8 PM PT on Dec 11th / after the show)
neutral · AI labelView post →21. The Darkside Detective Here's an Irish game for Patty's Day! This was the first modern Point & Click Adventure game I'd played, and along with Avowed and Lamplight City got me into the genre after thinking for years I didn't get on with it. It's great! store.steampowered.com/app/368390/T...
neutral · AI labelView post →To my media frands! We're working on something hella dope with Spooky Doorway's latest addition to The Darkside Detective game. If you're a fan of point and click, retro adventure games with a horror/comedic twist - then hit me up! I'll be reaching out to y'all shortly. Shares are appreciated!💖
neutral · AI labelView post →Adventure Creator is on sale on the Asset Store. 50% off! It's a really powerful plugin for Unity for non techy devs. We've used it to create the Darkside Detective games and more. I use it for quick prototyping too. assetstore.unity.com/packages/too... #Indiegames #gamedev #unity
neutral · AI labelView post →Treasa is design lead, tech lead & producer at Spooky Doorway (@spookydoorway.bsky.social) the studio behind The Séance of Blake Manor & The Darkside Detective. Finbarre caught up with her to talk haunted houses, Irish folklore, and the art of game design. #indiegames #tarot #folklore #witchsky
neutral · AI labelView post →Remove things the player doesn't need to enjoy your game. For example, in the Darkside Detective we removed walking and kept the majority of interactions as mouse clicks and dialogue. The game play felt fast and most players didn't notice they weren't walking. It saved us a lot of time animating.
neutral · AI labelView post →[Epic] *The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark*, point-and-click mystery for PC and mobile. > Join Detective McQueen as he puzzles his way through 6 cases, risking life and pixelated limb to solve the macabre mysteries that plague the poor town. > Twin Lakes is a cursed city. Less cursed than say, “Demons are tearing it apart” but more cursed than “always loses its keys” or “often steps in puddles”. It’s roughly in the middle of the cursed scale, is what we’re trying to say. Cursed…
neutral · AI labelView post →The boys are back in town! Check out the all-new demo for @spookydoorway.bsky.social + @akuparagames.bsky.social latest pixel-art mystery, 'The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon,' available now on Steam! #gaming #news #gamedev #indiegames #games #🎮
neutral · AI labelView post →The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark, a sequel to the game where a working stiff cop investigates paranormal crimes. if you loved the first one, this is more of the same. did I love the first one? secrets revealed within. nebula.tv/videos/innue...
neutral · AI labelView post →Lovecraft-Inspired Games (list of lists) [Videogame]. 1 - [10 Best Lovecraft-Inspired Games According To Metacritic](https://www.thegamer.com/best-lovecraft-inspired-games-metacritic-scores/#cthulhu-saves-the-world---metacritic-rating-78) - - Sundered: Eldritch Edition - Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners Of The Earth - Cthulhu Saves The World - Darkwood - Sunless Sea - Darkest Dungeon - Dusk - Bloodborne - Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem - Quake 2 - [The 20 Best Video Games Inspired By H. P.…
neutral · AI labelView post →B-side gaming zine #11 (news - indie - open-source - homebrew, fantasy console humor). ## Welcome It has been about three months, and another issue is ready. This issue focuses a bit on fantasy consoles with a small article explaining what they are and 10 fantasy console game recommendations. Of course, there's a lot of news about new indie games, open-source projects, and homebrew. A top 10 and a new top game per type: paid indie, open-source, homebrew, and demake. I hope you enjoy…
neutral · AI labelView post →Game Finished #1 - The Darkside Detective I LOVE point and click games. This one was lighthearted and a nice change. I had to use a guide a few times because some things were hard to figure out, but it's not too difficult most of the game! Overall, I prefer more serious point and clicks XD
neutral · AI labelView post →The Darkside Detective by @spookydoorway.bsky.social is available for free until December 11th on the Epic Games store. Galway-based studio Spooky Doorway also released The Séance of Blake Manor earlier this year, which is a standout game of the year candidate. store.epicgames.com/en-US/news/d...
neutral · AI labelView post →"The Phantom Fellows" released on GOG and Steam. New adventure game "The Phantom Fellows" has released on GOG and Steam, with a 10% discount until 4th Oct. It's a comedy mystery game featuring a guy and his ghost friend, who perform jobs and investigate mysteries over 7 days in a small Colorado town. The game has a pixel art aesthetic, reminiscent of recent games like The Darkside Detective, and synthwave music. I have no connection to the company, stumbled across the game and been playing…
neutral · AI labelView post →Finally made time to play The Darkside Detective: A Fumble In The Dark. I really enjoy Spooky Doorway, the writing is so sharp and the art animation working together is just so emotive. You'd swear the characters have expressions even though they don't have faces.
positive · AI labelView post →[EGS PC/Mobile] The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark | 100% off/Giveaway. PC: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-darkside-detective-a-fumble-in-the-dark-174fcf Android: https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-darkside-detective-a-fumble-in-the-dark-android-125a49 iOS (EU only): https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-darkside-detective-a-fumble-in-the-dark-ios-1519b7
neutral · AI labelView post →"People are always saying don't talk about the elephant in the room, but if I came home and if there was an elephant just hanging out there, you better believe I'm telling everyone" There are actually people in the review section saying things like: "I actually hate pixel graphics…" Of course, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions and preferences but hate is a pretty strong word. And sorry if I’m being a bit of a fact machine here, but what we see in The Darkside Detective is pixel art,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon gets a first demo. Ready for some more investigating? The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon from Spooky Doorway has a first demo available with Linux support.
neutral · AI labelView post →As somebody who loved playing through the first game, this is so disappointing. A huge step back in every conceivable way. Definitely a contender for one of the worst PnC games I have played in years. I gritted my teeth through the first two cases and have had enough. Maybe one day my frustration will pass and I can reset and come back to this. As of right now it is unbearable. The puzzles and logic are ridiculous, you will be clicking every little thing possible and dragging every item you can…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Get ready for another adventure with The Darkside Detective: Backside of the Moon https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/12/get-ready-for-another-adventure-with-the-darkside-detective-backside-of-the-moon/ #TheDarksideDetective #AdventureGames #Gaming #PCGaming
neutral · AI labelView post →BEST Patient Gamer Games! * The Darkside Detective * Caves of Lore * Children of Morta * Loop Hero * Blasphemous * Total War EMPIRE BEST New Releases! * Ex Astris * Slice and Dice * Codenames * Drop Troop * Halls of Torment BEST GAME OF 2024! * Balatro
neutral · AI labelView post →This edition of @gbmento.bsky.social's "Indie Game of the Week" feature on Giant Bomb looks at The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark! Read to see if they enjoyed the game's Columbo-inspired aventure Link: giantbomb.com/users/4945/a... #games #gaming #indiegame #giantbomb #adventuregame
neutral · AI labelView post →Exhausting neverending boring lines. Go there pick that, go somewhere totally unrelated and do some wacky thing or talk, talk, talk. If the story was better and/or writing more clever, maybe it could work, but at this state its not satisfying.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Feels like a big step back from the first game in every way. Levels are bigger and longer but this just leads to more backtracking and having screens or "rooms" that don't feel necessary. There is way more moon logic and puzzle solutions that don't feel intuitive.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →- Baldurs Gate 3 (Larian Studios, Belgium) - Divinity: Original Sin II (Larian Studios, Belgium) - Gamedec (Anshar Studios; Poland) - The Dream Machine (The Sleeping Machine / Cockroach Inc.; Sweden) - Born Punk (Insert Disk 22; a german guy who moved to New Zealand(?). Sadly he vanished from the internet :( ) - Scott Whiskers in: The Search for Mr. Fumbleclaw (Fancy Factory; Germany) These are the ones that I could quickly find in my library but I'll check for more later on :) **EDIT**…
neutral · AI labelView post →Compared to the first game, the puzzles and jokes in the sequel are mediocre.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark, a comedic point 'n click game is free on Epic. I know Epic is not well liked, but I always go out of my way to claim free games. I've read somewhere that epic has to pay all claimed free games to the developer. Either way. It's a free point 'n click for people who are interested.
neutral · AI labelView post →fun game, definitely worth it on sale. however, i do want to mention that there were a good amount of the puzzles in here that feel nonsensical rather than difficult. i prefer it to make sense rather than it be artificially difficult. that being said, i still enjoyed my time with the game and i'm looking forward to the next one.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played way too much of this game. There is not 40 hours of content in this game, do not be fooled. However, I do keep playing it for some reason so that can attest to its quality. Very funny, improves on the first game visually. The soundtrack is just as good as the first game. I do think the puzzles are a little more moonlogic than I would like but it's not that bad. Otherwise great game, excited to see what that spooky doorway leads to next
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →There's a wonderful game called The Darkside Detective that I played a while back. And at one point, if you examine your cat you get a rather... interesting message that caused me to make this a while back. #pixelart
neutral · AI labelView post →Fun game, not difficult unless you're slow like me, I felt i was young sherlock homes solving the cases 10/10 must play
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I got the first Game free on...you know where to get free&mystery games. Anyway, loved it. The nods to Thimbleweek Park - lovely. The sequel is a bit harder and even more fun (unless you really don't like games that require you to use your brain). Got an undying love for point 'n click adventure games? Enjoyed Thimbleweek Park? You'll love this. Picking up where the first game ended, play the first game, well, first.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →What are you playing at the moment? I've just been playing The Darkside Detective (re The @slowgameclub.bsky.social), a rather witty and fun #indiedev #game Late to the party, but I'm finally getting around to playing The @cultofthelamb.bsky.social ... incredibly fabulous on so many fronts! 😍 🫶 💯
neutral · AI labelView post →I really don't get this game? Why is the character not moving like in the previews here on steam? For me it's just a bunch of stills with never ending text messages. I thought it's like classic LucasArts games but seems like it's not. What a pity.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Decently comedic but too many unintuitive puzzles meaning timewasting or guide checking, both which defeat the point.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Forgot to post this yesterday, but it's time for a new Let's Play series. This time I'm playing The Darkside Detective, a point and click adventure with a ton of charm. Check out the first video below www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2VF... #youtube #letsplay #pointandclick #adventure #mystery #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm back my Lovelies!! I cannot wait to be back in the bar and solving crimes along side you~ Tonight is more magical mystery with Shadowgate, then Wednesday will be a new game filled with fiesty suspects and varied interrogation practices... then Saturday we'll wrap up The Darkside Detective!
neutral · AI labelView post →✨Stream schedule: 10/21-10/27✨ A new spooky-adjacent game this week as I try out The Darkside Detective! And a few cozy regulars as we ramp up to birthday week next week!!!
neutral · AI labelView post →PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BUY THE DARKSIDE DETECTIVE TODAY IT'S THE LAST PROMO DAY PLEASE I LOVE IT SO MUCH 10 REAIS (the first game the second game is 20 reais the bundle is probably 25ish??? IDK IT'S AMAZING PLEASE) store.steampowered.com/app/368390/T...
positive · AI labelView post →Today, I have Part 3 of The Darkside Detective for you! It covers Case 4 of the game, which takes place in the office that our supernatural mystery-solving duo work at. So, what's the supernatural twist to it? Watch to find out! #gaming #thedarksidedetective youtu.be/fHXOFp7V1TU
neutral · AI labelView post →I got a game on sale and now I’m making that your problem. Come watch me stream the Darkside Detective today at 6 PM ET at Twitch.tv/ellisthe12th
neutral · AI labelView post →Playing this sequel felt like visiting old friends I didn’t realize I missed this much. The Darkside Detective universe is still as chaotic, funny, and charming as ever — effortlessly blending horror references, absurd humor, and pop culture into something uniquely lovable. Few point-and-click games manage to feel this smooth and consistently entertaining. Honestly, this series deserves way more attention than it gets. Huge compliments to the devs once again. Now excuse me while I wait…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I had a really good time with The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark. If you liked the first game, this one feels like slipping right back into that same weird, spooky-but-goofy world. The pixel art is fantastic and full of charm, and the soundtrack fits the vibe perfectly while you run around solving supernatural nonsense. The writing is probably the best part. The dialogue is funny and witty the whole way through, and McQueen and Dooley are still a hilarious duo. Honestly, they’re…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've wrote a negative review after playing case 1, but I decided to play more and finished the game. This game should have mixed score on steam. It's 5-6/10 point and click adventure. First of all, my original review: " I've got the first game for free and really like it. It was little fun "escape room" type game. You have several screens with items. You need to find them and use somehow funny. Sometimes you need to bruteforce combinations to move forward, but it's still fun and doesn't take a…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Darkside Detective is currently free on Epic Games. A nice classic-style humorous point-and-click adventure game, set in short episodes, and made by a local studio.
neutral · AI labelView post →Fantastic sequel to Darkside Detective jam packed with even more pop culture references, for instance Mannequin! Such a fun and weird movie.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game. Point and click meets X-Files meets Naked Gun. This game actually made me laugh out loud.....a bunch. Give me more.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Upping their game by including a notable audio track, The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark continues to deliver the "cheeky" storytelling that made the original game a hit with fans of the paranormal. Humorus, witty, and engaging; the Darkside Detective part 2 is fun to play through providing a break from everyday boredom. Rated 7 out of 10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →---{ Graphics }--- ☐ You forget what reality is ☐ Beautiful ☑ Good ☐ Decent ☐ Bad ☐ Don‘t look too long at it ☐ MS-DOS ---{ Gameplay }--- ☐ Very good ☐ Good ☑ It's just gameplay ☐ Mehh ☐ Watch paint dry instead ☐ Just don't ---{ Audio }--- ☐ Eargasm ☐ Very good ☑ Good ☐ Not too bad ☐ Bad ☐ I'm now deaf ---{ Audience }--- ☐ Kids ☑ Teens ☑ Adults ☐ Grandma ---{ PC Requirements }--- ☐ Check if you can run paint ☑ Potato ☐ Decent ☐ Fast ☐ Rich boi ☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer ---{…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Supernatural mystery adventure game The Séance of Blake Manor announced. From the makers of The Darkside Detective series. Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/1395520 #indiegames #steam #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →Raw Fury is partnering with The Darkside Detective developer Spooky Doorway to publish first-person detective game The Séance of Blake Manor. @rawfury.bsky.social @spookydoorway.bsky.social @themix.bsky.social #DDNet #News #GameNews #Gaming #GamingNews
neutral · AI labelView post →The Darkside Detective is a puzzle point-and-click detective game with lots of humor and references. The game follows Dt. Francis McQueen and his assistant, Officer Dooley, as they investigate bizarre cases in the town of Twin Lakes. t.co/ZPelxm4JN0 by @spookydoorway.bsky.social #steam #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →Excited to try out a new spooky cozy game tonight! Point and click with me in The Darkside Detective tonight at 7 pm EDT!
neutral · AI labelView post →
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