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In The Dark 2

4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
46 Reviews
$39.99 USD
$39.99 USD
Sale Sold out

A sci-fi puzzle adventure with 200 story-driven challenges, endless replayability through Free Play and Challenge modes, and a bonus shoot ’em up side game.

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)

Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Crude Humor

A deadly virus is corrupting the Federation’s neural network, threatening to isolate the galaxy. As Captain Ikalo Pann, follow cryptic clues, solve intricate puzzles, and explore alien worlds to stop the spread and uncover a deep sci-fi mystery.

Play the demo here.

  • 200+ puzzles across 4x4 and 5x5 grids
  • Uncover a galaxy-spanning sci-fi mystery
  • Endless puzzle combos in Free Play and Challenge Modes
  • 20 unlockable visual themes
  • Bonus arcade-style shmup game
  • Premium Cartridge
  • Instruction Manual
  • Chromatic Charm featuring game-specific character
  • Genre: Adventure Puzzle
  • Platform: Chromatic
  • Developer: Gumpy Function & Pearacidic Games
  • Players: Single player
  • Play Time: 20+ Hours
  • Replayability: High
  • Supported Languages: English
  • Compatible With: Chromatic, Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®
In The Dark 2 Manual
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In The Dark 2
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Unboxing Letters Chromatic Stars Doodle Fish Shield Doodle Fireball Doodle Decorative Frame

About the Developer

Bio

Name / Studio Name

Bryan Taylor / Pearacidic Games and Tom Lockwood / Gumpy Function

Location

Tampa, Florida, USA (Pearacidic Games) and Melbourne, Australia (Gumpy Function)

How It Started

Bryan: Like many others, the pandemic gave me a rare opportunity to dive into game development and really explore it. I learned a ton during that time.

Tom: When I became a stay-at-home dad in 2020, I finally had the time to turn a hobby into something more serious. That was the spark that pushed me toward game development as a long-term career.

Other Games / Projects

Bryan: In The Dark 1, a Little Nemo fan game, and Grimace’s Birthday.

Tom: Quite a few Game Boy projects! Highlights include Unearthed (1st place, GB Compo 21), Grimace’s Birthday, Feed IT Souls (2nd place, GB Compo 23), Super Dassalo Land, Dicee!, Lee Carvallo’s Putting Challenge 2, and My Dinner With André.

Fun Fact

Bryan: I’ve got ADD, which, strangely, helps me juggle lots of different tasks at once when coding or scripting. Also, my background as a chess teacher has definitely shaped the way I think about systems and design.

Tom: I love using LEGO to prototype puzzle ideas. Especially with Unearthed, I’d physically build puzzles on the table before I ever touched a keyboard.

The Idea

Why I Made This Game

Both of us loved the pick-up-and-play feel of In The Dark 1 – a simple, satisfying logic puzzle game that fit the Game Boy perfectly. But at the time, GB Studio had serious limitations. When those constraints were lifted in later versions of GB Studio, we saw the chance to revisit and reimagine the original idea from the ground up. The result is In The Dark 2 – a complete expansion of the concept with a bigger story, better visuals, and significantly more puzzles.

What Makes This Game Special

Bryan: The first In The Dark was my debut published title, so it’ll always be important to me – but In The Dark 2 is the fully realized version. It has the story, the polish, and the depth we always wanted to include.

You'll Love This If...

You're a fan of sci-fi, puzzle games, or philosophical themes. If you’re into logic-based challenges, rhythm shooters, or narrative-driven indie games, there’s something here for you.

Inspiration / Influences

Bryan: Definitely Alien, Star Trek, and other space westerns. The main character, Ikalo Pann, draws a lot from the strength and tenacity of Samus Aran (Metroid).

Favorite Feature

Bryan: The shmup mode is my personal favorite – it breaks up the brainy puzzle segments with a fun change of pace.

Tom: Without spoiling anything, there’s a moment late in the story that completely re-contextualizes one of the shmup missions. That twist is probably my favorite.

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4.6
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
Based on 46 reviews
46 reviews
  • Todd N.
    Verified Buyer
    3 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Great Sci-Fi Game

    This is a puzzle game with an engaging plot and fun gameplay. Would recommend.

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  • Lucas R.
    Verified Buyer
    5 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Exactly What It Needs To Be

    Great puzzle game and fun story.

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  • Steven R.
    Verified Buyer
    6 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Interesting Puzzle Game

    I've enjoyed playing In The Dark 2. It's an interesting approach to Sci-Fi and math memorization puzzle games. It also includes mini games as well. I do appreciate the story line along with the puzzles. I wasn't sure about this when I was purchasing the Modretro bundle deal, but I am very happy I included In The Dark 2 with my bundle.

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  • Peter D.
    Verified Buyer
    6 days ago
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    A puzzle game that is not for everyone.

    In the Dark is at its core a puzzle game that makes you do the same kind of puzzle over and over again. You need to change all symbols to the same type. If you do not like this kind of puzzle, you won't have a lot of fun with this game. However there is also more to this game, there is a lot of effort put into the story and there is also a nice shmup minigame.

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  • Ray M.
    Verified Buyer
    1 week ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    I was caught off guard lol

    I didnt know what to expect again it turned out to be a great and fun game to add to my growing collection.

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