Into the DarkVerse

This felt like a cheap pop up experience with zero story development and barely any puzzles. Gameplay was repetitive and the acting scenes quite dull.

Into the DarkVerse felt a bit like a pop up game rather than something permanent. And while I’ve heard some enthusiasts downgrade this game for the lack of decor, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Between the style of play and the many nods to all things DarkPark, it was a fun experience. There are two well known games in Paris that use the same mechanic. I haven’t played them yet, and wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but now after playing DarkVerse, I really do.

Into the Dark Verse might be intended as a retrospective for those already familiar with Dark Park's games, but it also works as a trailer offering a glimpse into the rooms. The style of the game didn't come as a surprise to us since we recently played a similar concept, but the details and the setting were crafted with love, and the effects were perfectly timed. You can really tell that stage-ready scenes were being orchestrated here – chapeau, from one performer to another! Everyone involved was on point, allowing us to go down the rabbit hole like Alice and immerse ourselves into the story.

Into the Darkverse by DarkPark was the second room of Day 1 of our 4-day NL/BL escape tour 2026 and the second game overall. We were a team of 5. I’m left with mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, the overall concept and setup are genuinely unique. It’s not a traditional escape room in structure or execution, and that boldness is something I appreciate. However, the way the experience unfolded for our specific group didn’t fully land. One of our participants ended up with very little to actively do for a significant part of the game, which affected the team dynamic and overall enjoyment. In a format like this, that imbalance becomes more noticeable. That said, there were strong elements. The opening sequence was breathtaking, and a constant sense of tension runs throughout the experience. Atmosphere is clearly one of the core strengths here. This is not a standard escape room, and it shouldn’t be approached as one. Recommended, but go in with an open mind and understand that the format may not suit every group composition.

This was the experience I was the most scared to enter on this trip, but I am so glad that we did. As horror noobs, we were afraid, but we also had a lot of fun. Such a different and weird game. I loved experiencing it, and I loved all parts of the experience. This is not a normal escape room, and I am happy I knew before entering. This was also our first experience with DarkPark, and I was afraid that would limit our enjoyment of it. I would say that it didn't, but I guess nostalgia will make the game a little different for some. Highly recommend if you want something completely different, exhilarating, and a little scary!

This is a very different style of game that arguably isn't an escape room, as the puzzles are trivial. I could see the argument that it's closer to immersive theater. Aside from the novel gameplay (which is worth seeing just for itself), the main strength of the game is akin to a recap episode for players who have enjoyed DarkPark's other games. We were able to play it soon after playing most of their other games so appreciated the numerous references; you'll probably be a little confused if you don't go in with that background.