It's not only me since its alpha version open is one of the most popular titles on Steam.Dark And Darker Gold calls itself "unforgiving" and "hardcore" first and foremost. After I immediately fell to sword-wielding skeletons in my initial few runs before I ever had the pleasure to be killed by another player I'm inclined towards agreeing. (The guide does indicate that an easier, "normal" difficulty is not yet available in the Alpha.)
In the style of a game you'll battle and loot AI foes like skeletons, spiders and mummies as you explore the two maps currently in play playing against other players to get out of portals to exfil as an encircling "dark swarm" gets closer to the cave. There is a queue for solos on The Goblin Cave game, and take an entire party of three people to Forgotten Castle. Forgotten Castle, or pay 100 gold for the risky version with high loot. the castle.
As a fighter I'll begin most of my rounds with my standard sword torch, shield, and sword and then go to a nearby chest to get an armor or boots before proceeding fighting the AI closest to me villains. In the event of luck, then I'll gather some trinkets of gold and weapons to stash in my with Tetris-themed pockets. If I die I lose it all.
However, if I am able to get through the incredibly narrow corridors, spike traps on the floor and the other players, I'm a good chance of getting a blue glowing stone on the floor which will open a portal to exit. (Be awareof co-op people can only be played with only one person, not the entire group that is quite costly for a game that is best played with friends.) There is also an exit with a glowing red to enter the dungeon, to find more challenges and rewards. I'm still not brave yet.
The situation becomes more calming in a well-balanced group consisting of Fighter, Cleric, and Wizard, (or Barbarian, Rogue or Ranger) however it's only two steps away in Dark and Darker's infamously cramped dungeons that make me long for the open-air adventure of other PvPvE adventures. If I do manage to escape from the dungeon, I'll sell all my items through the merchant menu, and put the gold coins in my inventory as I begin my next adventure wearing only the gear I carried to carry on my back.
This is the place where Dark and Darker is most like Escape From Tarkov; buying smaller amounts of better gear from the merchants and making permanent upgrades to your classes is a routine. I'm not the type of person to throw around the term "Sisyphean" however the risk of my loot falling down the hill is DAD Gold more threatening that other extract games. Instead, I aim for upgrading my perk slots to a level that is gated and swapping my active abilities to those of the Fighter as well as Rogue characters I'm leveling.
