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I’ve played my fair share of co-op games. From Left 4 Dead to Deep Rock Galactic, from Vermintide 2 to GTFO—I've fought through waves of enemies, screamed over voice chat, and revived friends in the most chaotic scenarios imaginable. But lately, something about the formula has started to feel... familiar. Predictable. Even stale.

That’s why Expedition into Darkness caught my eye.

At first glance, it looks like just another grim medieval co-op game. Torches. Dungeons. Swords. Spooky corridors. You’ve seen the trailers, and maybe you thought the same thing I did: “Looks cool... but what’s different?”

But the more I looked into it, the more I realized this game isn’t trying to follow the formula. It’s trying to reinvent it—with a subtle kind of brilliance.

This isn’t just another hack-and-slash. It’s a slow-burn horror experience. It’s survival. It’s exploration. It’s tension. It’s storytelling. And most importantly—it’s designed to bring back the thrill of playing with friends.

So, let me tell you why I think Expedition into Darkness is one of the most exciting co-op games in years, and why I’ll be dragging my friends into its cursed depths the second it drops.

What Is “Expedition into Darkness”?

Let’s break down the basics before I dive into why this game has me genuinely hyped.

Expedition into Darkness is a first-person co-op horror game set in a grim, medieval-inspired world. It’s being developed by Action Square, a South Korean studio that previously made waves with “Kingdom: The Blood,” and this time, they’re taking a darker, more atmospheric turn.

You and up to three other players form an adventuring party, tasked with delving deep into long-forgotten crypts, cursed castles, and haunted ruins. These aren’t places full of loot and XP—they’re places where something went wrong. Horribly wrong.

And as you move further into the darkness, things get... weird.

Weirder than you expect.

A Unique Blend: Horror Meets Medieval Tactics

What really sets Expedition into Darkness apart from other co-op games is its pacing.

Most games in this genre throw enemies at you relentlessly. Slash, shoot, reload, repeat. But here? The horror is patient.

It’s not about body count. It’s about survival. About tension. The game leans heavily into psychological horror, using darkness not just as a backdrop, but as a mechanic. You and your friends have to literally bring light with you—torches, lanterns, and magical sources—to fight back the creeping dread.

Without light, you can’t see. And in this game, what you can’t see will absolutely destroy you.

Sometimes it’s a creature. Sometimes it’s a trap. Sometimes it’s your own teammate going mad from isolation and whispering voices.

Yes. There’s sanity involved too. Like Amnesia or Darkest Dungeon, the longer you’re in the dark, the more your mind begins to crack. Your character starts hearing things. Seeing things. Making poor choices.

It’s like an RPG built around a Lovecraftian tabletop campaign. But with medieval steel and friendship as your only armor.

Combat Isn’t Just About Swinging Swords

Now, if you’re thinking “this sounds like another Vermintide clone,” you’re in for a surprise.

Combat in Expedition into Darkness is deliberate, not chaotic. It’s more tactical than flashy. Weapons feel weighty. You have to time your blocks, coordinate your attacks, and preserve stamina. It almost feels like a lighter Soulslike—but in co-op form.

Add to that the fact that each character class has a unique role—like the Lightbearer who manages your group’s visibility, or the Occultist who deciphers cursed scripts and performs banishment rituals—and suddenly you’re not just swinging weapons. You’re playing parts in a living, breathing survival story.

You’re not just killing monsters. You’re solving mysteries. Reading old scrolls. Figuring out what happened here. And maybe, just maybe, finding a way to make it out alive.

The Atmosphere Is Oppressive—and That’s the Point

The best horror games know that what you don’t see is scarier than what you do. Expedition into Darkness understands this perfectly.

There’s no flashy UI. No health bars above enemies. Sometimes, there are no enemies at all—just the sound of something breathing behind a door. Or a door that wasn’t open before. Or blood that wasn’t there five minutes ago.

The world feels alive in the worst way.

As you go deeper, your torch flickers. Your sanity meter drops. You see things in the shadows. Hear your friends say things that don’t make sense. Was that a glitch? A hallucination? Or is someone... lying?

It makes every session feel like a tense, unpredictable story-driven dungeon crawl.

Think Blasphemous meets Phasmophobia, but with the immersive storytelling of Darkest Dungeon and the teamwork of Deep Rock Galactic.

What Makes It Perfect for Friends?

This is the part I’m most excited about.

So many co-op games are just chaos simulators. Fun, sure—but they don’t build memories. Expedition into Darkness wants you and your friends to feel the journey. To tell stories about that one time the torch went out. About the time you split up and one of you came back... wrong.

It encourages communication, trust, and planning. You can’t brute-force it. You have to stick together. You have to support each other.

I can already imagine the Discord calls:

“I hear something. Is that you breathing?”

“Guys... don’t leave me alone. My torch is dying.”

“Wait. What’s that behind you?”

It’s the kind of game where even failure is fun, because the journey is so full of tension and surprises. And when you finally do beat a level? When you escape with your minds intact? It’ll feel earned.

Procedural Generation Means No Run Is the Same

Like many modern survival games, Expedition into Darkness uses procedural generation to build its levels. But they’ve taken it a step further by making the horror elements adaptive.

The game watches how your group behaves—how cautious you are, how often you rely on light, how your sanity levels fluctuate—and adjusts the environment accordingly.

Sometimes, you’ll get a relatively straightforward run.

Other times, the game decides you’ve had it too easy—and things spiral into a nightmare.

It’s the kind of design that respects player intelligence, but never lets you get comfortable. There’s no safe meta. Every time you enter the darkness, it’s fresh. It’s risky. It’s terrifying.

Classes and Loadouts Add Replayability

Each character you choose in Expedition into Darkness comes with a distinct class and playstyle. This isn’t just aesthetic—your role changes how you approach each dungeon.

Some examples:

• Lightbearer – Carries and upgrades the group’s light sources. Without them, the group is blind—and slowly going insane.

• Warden – The tank and front-line protector. Can block, taunt, and defend weaker allies.

• Occultist – Knows forbidden knowledge, can perform rituals, translate ancient texts, and detect supernatural traps.

• Scout – Moves quickly, maps the area, and handles stealth takedowns.

The synergy between these roles makes each run feel like a tabletop RPG come to life. No matter which role you play, your decisions matter. Your failures matter. Your team’s survival depends on everyone pulling their weight.

It’s a far cry from “everyone shoots until the thing dies.”

Visually Stunning in a Haunting Way

Let’s talk visuals for a second.

This game is gorgeous in the most unsettling way. The lighting is masterfully done—flames flicker and shadows creep with realism that makes every hallway a potential death trap.

Textures are gritty and grounded. Armor looks handmade. Dungeons feel lived in—and then abandoned. Gothic statues, crumbling tombs, damp catacombs—it’s all rendered with moody perfection.

The audio is just as effective. Environmental sounds feel alive. You’ll hear groans from behind walls. Whispers in empty rooms. The creak of chains. The slow grind of stone doors opening… or closing behind you.

Headphones recommended. Unless you scare easy.

Why It’s a Bold Step Forward for the Genre

There are so many co-op games right now, and honestly, most of them feel like reskins. Kill waves of enemies. Upgrade weapons. Do it all again.

Expedition into Darkness breaks the mold. It dares to be:

• Slow, but intense

• Creepy, not gory

• Mystery-driven, not loot-obsessed

• Character-focused, not just skill-based

It feels like the first game in a long time to understand that fear and friendship are a powerful combo. When done right, they make unforgettable moments.

That’s what I’m craving.

Is It Worth Playing Day One? My Take

Absolutely.

If you're the kind of gamer who loves:

• The slow-burn dread of Amnesia

• The cooperative focus of Phasmophobia

• The tension of Darkest Dungeon

• The replayability of Deep Rock Galactic

• The immersive world-building of Elden Ring

Then Expedition into Darkness is a game that deserves your attention.

It’s not about winning. It’s about experiencing.

And if you’ve got a group of friends who love a little danger, a little mystery, and a whole lot of torch-lit storytelling, then I honestly can’t think of a better game to get lost in this year.

 Into the Darkness, Together

I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to be this excited for a medieval horror game. But Expedition into Darkness feels like something special.

It’s not trying to be the biggest game. It’s trying to be the most memorable.

And that’s a rare goal in modern gaming.

In a sea of co-op shooters and medieval fantasy clones, this game dares to be uncomfortable. It dares to be quiet. It dares to let players feel something beyond adrenaline.

And that’s why I’m going in—torch in hand, friends at my side, sanity slowly slipping away.

See you in the dark.