Dark Auction

“Dark Auction left me asking "why" quite a bit. Why are we calling the leader of Germany during World War II "X"? Why was AI generated art used at all, especially in a part of the story that talks about the importance of art? Why isn't this a visual novel, when the 3D exploration adds more tedium than value? Why does the ending feel like it needs a lot more context? Nevertheless, there are still a lot of good moments here, especially in the final chapters when the mystery starts to come together. It's an interesting story with some unexpected developments, but it just feels like it could have been much more than it is.”

“The overall experience of Dark Auction is quite the contradiction, just like its genre-breaking story. There are moments of superb 2D-driven visual novel-style dialogue, conflicting with dull, clunky and unnecessary 3D exploration. Overall, I'd say the former still trumps the latter, and when you experience the next shocking over-the-top theatrical plot revelation during an auction, Dark Auction proves well worth the effort.”

“All that said, even with its slow moments and uneven presentation, Dark Auction’s writing and mystery kept us hooked. If you enjoy character‑driven visual novels with a darker edge, then it’s worth a look.”

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“Dark Auction is a game that trusts you. It trusts you to pay attention. It believes you will think before you judge. It trusts you to think about things that make you uncomfortable. It doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t always try to impress you. Instead, it slowly builds a world, introduces flawed people, and asks you to listen.”

“Dark Auction is a visual novel with gameplay elements that reward observant players while the plot and cast come together in an intriguing way to deliver story twists that you'll never see coming. 🏷️”

“Dark Auction falls into a rare spot that the plot and writing is actually pretty interesting but the story is still tough to recommend. The characters feel real, and the tension and mystery is very good, but it goes nowhere fast. There are certainly some other problems such as the auction puzzle parts being a big letdown, and the main mystery not being as big as it first seems, but mostly it is just that more needs to happen. The overall plot meanders, and it really grinds down what should have been a brisk and interesting story that could have been told in half the time or less.”

“Dark Auction is a great mystery adventure game just short of being amazing. The story is captivating and explores trauma with a compelling cast of characters and a story full of intrigue and deception. The soundtrack by composers Yuko Komiyama and Tsukasa Masuko is ear-pleasing, and the illustrations by Kohske are expressive and beautiful. The game's inexpressive character models and uncanny images clash with the overall presentation, but there's still a lot of good going for this game.”

“Dark Auction is a game with big goals that mostly hits them. Its story deals with inherited shame, the truth, and the weight of history in a sincere and careful way. The writing and acting make for a gripping mystery that puts understanding ahead of judgment. But its guided structure and simple mechanics may make some people want to connect with it more deeply.”

“Dark Auction positions itself as a visual novel with one of the more intriguing premises tackled in the genre. Players comfortable with a rather straightforward pace and lack of challenge will likely enjoy the ride and some of the strange twists in store.”