
Review · Adventure · macOS · Xbox One · PlayStation 4
Through the Darkest of Times
By the LumiKin editors
Reviewed: 17 May 2026
macOS · Xbox One · PlayStation 4 · PC · iOS
Handy Games · 2020
LumiScore
72/100
Recommended
Growth (BDS)
57
Risk (RIS)
2
Daily limit
120min
Age guidance
T
Developmental benefits
| B1 | Cognitive | 0.78 | |
| B2 | Social-emotional | 0.53 | |
| B3 | Motor | 0.10 | |
Through the Darkest of Times is a deeply engaging strategy game that immerses players in a critical period of history. It fosters strong cognitive skills like problem-solving, strategic and critical thinking, and historical understanding. Players develop empathy and ethical reasoning by leading a resistance group against an oppressive regime, making difficult moral choices. The educational aspect provides valuable learning transfer about the past.
Design risks
| R1 | Dopamine pressure | 0.03 | |
| R2 | Monetization | 0.00 | |
| R3 | Social risk | 0.00 | |
The game contains moderate content risks due to its historical setting, including implied violence, some strong language, and themes of fear and tension associated with fighting a totalitarian state. However, it exhibits very low risks for dopamine manipulation, monetization pressure, and social risks, as it is a single-player experience with no microtransactions or manipulative design mechanics.
Heads up
- Monthly spendTypical real-money spend by engaged players: $0–0/mo.