Escape the Dark Castle

Escape the Dark Castle is a perfect game for people who want to roll dice and enjoy a randomized fantasy experience without the intensity of DND.

You can use this game to introduce dungeon crawling to your friends and family. The game plays the role of the dungeon master so everyone is on the same team. The mechanics are simple enough for children but the pictures are scary so use your discretion with sensitive kids. Component quality is great. My favorite part is the chunky dice.

In a tabletop age of 50+ page rulebooks and 2+ hour playing times, Escape the Dark Castle is refreshingly simple. Flip a card over, complete the encounter, repeat until you all die or defeat the boss. Escape the Dark Castle doesn’t advertise itself as an advanced dungeon-crawler, nor does it boast branching storylines with 40+ endings, but I do want to note what this game isn’t. Escape the Dark Castle isn’t a game full of meaningful choices, it’s not a game with layered strategy, and it’s not a game with a bunch of different encounter types (though expansions do help with that). Often I found myself thinking, “Hey, this encounter card is just like that other card only the numbers, artwork, and text are different.” Escape the Dark Castle comes as-advertised. It’s a “retro-atmospheric adventure” that can be a lot of fun with the right group. Go through the castle, encounter bad guys, and see what happens! Don’t expect anything more than that, and you won’t be disappointed.

This is just fantastic! The art style, atmosphere (amplified by an official soundtrack on Spotify and background music on the optional companion app) really adds to the experience. The mechanics are easy to pick up but a great challenge to master, it’s one of those amazing gaming experiences that’s easy to pick up and play but provides a ton of depth. It’s a great way to get into some quick and easy light role play gaming and you can get as detailed as you like reading through the encounter cards. Escape the Dark Castle is for the hardcore gamer and the casual player too, it’s incredibly flexible and we’ll be able to enjoy this with our friends and gaming group. 10/10 for the game hands down should be in everyone’s library.

I love this game. It's easy to learn and play, but still a good challenge. The flavor text is delightful, and I love the black and white art. One of my new to me favorite games of the year. Definitely in my top 10 current favorite games in general.

Fun little game, quality product

This game has wonderful artwork and creates a mood much like a grandfather clock. It puts you in it's world well, a dark castle, with great character cards. It's a well thought out game with an excellent instruction manual. Escape The Dark Castle also offers expansions if you have the itch for it. I highly recommend this game as it's fun, interesting, and makes you think a little.

If you like fantasy themes, castles, darkness, dungeon delving, then this is your game. It's great dark, haunting artwork that really get the theme across and the feel. It's fun, challenging, but not overwhelming. Personally, I like the style and way cards are utilized in the game. There are expansions for this too so if you feel it lacks a little, you can always try an expansion to see if it gives it that edge you're looking for. As for me, it definitely scratches that itch. I like the darkness and despair, the artwork, the challenge - it's good.

Quick to learn and play. You'll fail a few times for sure but it's fun regardless. I appreciate the grim art style. It feels really good to work together to succeed. Recommend playing with at least 3 people.

The game is a great quick game while waiting for other players to arrive or if you want a nice atmospheric event. Definitely needs some expansions after the first 4-5 plays to keep fresh.