The Darkest Tales | PS4 Review

Prepare to enter a world of fantasy where fairytales become living nightmares. A tale of a little light, and a reluctant teddy bear. Guardians of a sleeping girl named Alicia. A girl who is now ensnared in a nightmare conjured up by dream demons. Through the actions this unlikely pair of would be heroes Alicia stands a fighting chance. Utilizing powers bestowed by the little light the teddy bear trudges ever forward as if through the pages of Grimm's fairytales. Encountering twisted versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from Jack in the Beanstalk, and several others. Once aspiring heroes of their own tales these devilish dopplegangers stand between the daring duo, and their goal to free Alicia from her nightmarish torment.

Done up in a puzzle platformer fashion with the teddy bear being the playable protagonist, and the little light the guiding spirit the journey ahead is an interesting, and engaging one. With ongoing dialogue voiced by real world talent we follow these two at odds individuals as they trek forward from story to story engaging a twisted version of Alicia's favorite fairytale characters. As if to reflect her tainted state of mind brought on by whatever misfortunes in life might have befallen her. 

As the teddy bear you take up arms in the form of scissor blade swords, and utilize the magic drawn from the dream world around you at the behest of your fairy-like light pal. Giving you healing abilities via a magic needle, mobility options like grappling and dashing as well as a skill tree filled with perks that increase damage output, health upgrades, and other useful bonuses which offset the growing challenge at hand. 

Your end goal is to make it from start to finish in each named area of the storybook adventure. Utilizing mirrors as save points, and ways to upgrade your abilities as you collect the dropped currency from fiendish foes. The killing of enemies itself plays into the magic abilities gauge. Something that allows for healing on the go, and the use of more weaponized or defensive options. It is with these features that you must avoid hazards, pitfalls, and creatures of the dark including the themed bosses as you venture forth through their twisted tales towards a final conclusion with the dream demons who are pulling the strings. 

The Verdict ...

The Darkest Tales, is a well narrated and visually impressive puzzle platformer that turns our favorite fairytales into nightmares. A metaphor for the struggles a child goes through as they mature, and begin to see the world around them in a different light. With the little light, and the teddy bear acting as the remaining innocence trying to save their little girl from the grips of the darkness of her demons. It is an endearing, and memorable tale brought to life through linear traversal, ongoing character dialogue, and intermittent readings of the tale from an offscreen narrator. A story within a story within a story ... Even though this review is late coming I will say it is still a worthy addition to any gamer's library. Perhaps not for children, but definitely for us adults who have seemingly outgrown the innocence of our youth. Showing us that there's something special in that innocence that should never be forgotten. Lest we fall prey to our demons.