Dark Shores
Explore and survive in Dark Shores, an experimental survival horror game that explores concepts of perma-death, branching storylines, and unscripted fear. A luxury cruise containing five young tourists crashes on a remote island, deep within the South Pacific.
Developer
Publisher
Release
February 13, 2017
9 years and 172 days ago
Steam Reviews
Mostly Negative11 reviews36.4%
Does this feel indie?
Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.No votes yet
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | A separate publisher is listed without a proven bounded regional or service-only role. | |
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. | The title released with a separate publisher relationship. |
Media
8 itemsAbout the Game
An experimental horror game with perma-death, branching narratives, and dynamically adapting terror. A new game from LABS, a one-man studio.
A luxury cruise containing five young tourists crashes on a remote island, deep within the South Pacific. As the tourists struggle to survive on the island, they soon realize that keeping themselves fed and sheltered is the least of their worries. There’s something else on this island. Hunting them.
Game Description
Explore and survive on the Dark Shores, a survival horror game that explores concepts of perma-death, branching storylines, and unscripted horror.A luxury cruise containing five young tourists crashes on a remote island, deep within the South Pacific. As the tourists struggle to survive on the island, they soon realize that keeping themselves fed and sheltered is the least of their worries. There’s something else on this island. Hunting them.
Key Features
Permanent Death
In most games, when the player dies, they would respawn at a checkpoint. This however makes death less meaningful, as the player knows that if they get caught, they can just start again. This essentially means that any scary moments lose their appeal instantly. But in Dark Shores, the severe consequences elevate the tension.
Branching Narrative
When the player dies as one character, the story continues as another. This makes for a branching storyline, where the outcome is entirely dependent on who lives, and who dies.
Unscripted Fear
LABS focused on an un-scripted hunter in an attempt to create fear that isn’t linear. Once the player becomes aware of the scripted nature planned jump scares, the metaphorical curtain is pulled back, and horror games can lose their impact. To avoid being just a simple haunted house, a level of unpredictability has been added.
