DUSK

About DUSK

DUSK was made by David Szymanski and published by New Blood Interactive. It came out on Windows in December 2018, on Mac and Linux in 2019, on Switch in 2021, on PS4 in 2023 and on Xbox Series X|S in 2025. It is a homage to the shooters of the 1990s, from Doom and Quake to Blood, Heretic and Hexen, with a metal soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult.

Its three campaign episodes move from swamps, barnyards, cornfields and sawmills to an industrial zone full of occult machines, and then somewhere much stranger. The enemies are backwater cultists in sack masks with chainsaws, possessed soldiers and scientists, and worse things that come out of the dark, and the levels hide secret rooms and messages that say something below is calling.

It plays fast and loud. You run, jump and strafe at high speed with sickles, swords, crossbows, rifles, dual shotguns and rocket launchers, and enemies burst into pixelated gore. The horror is in the places: dark tunnels, red caverns, twisting rooms and churches under blood-red skies, closer to the grim side of Blood and Quake than to a power fantasy.

Beyond the campaign there is an Endless Survival mode, and on PC the DuskWorld arena deathmatch for up to 16 players. The Switch and PlayStation versions are for one player. It suits players who want horror with their shooting, and fans of Iron Lung who want to see where its maker started.

How to play DUSK

1. Pick an episode and fight through each level, finding keys to open the way.
2. Keep moving: strafe, jump and circle enemies rather than standing still.
3. Switch weapons to suit each enemy, from sickles and shotguns to crossbows and rockets.
4. Look for secret rooms and hidden items; they hold extra weapons and health.
5. Try the Endless Survival mode and arena multiplayer after the campaign.

Tips

• The crossbow goes through several enemies in a line.
• Listen for chainsaws; the masked cultists are loud before they are close.
• Explore odd walls and corners; DUSK hides a lot of secrets.

Questions