Dark Nights with Poe and Munro
Two radio hosts face six supernatural adventures with timed choices.
Dark Nights with Poe and Munro is a full-motion video adventure game from D'Avekki Studios. Players take on the roles of two radio presenters, John "Poe" Pope and Ellis Munro, who get caught up in six separate supernatural stories. The pair had previously appeared as minor characters in other games by the studio; chronologically, this title occurs before *The Shapeshifting Detective*.
During gameplay, choices appear as on-screen icons that must be selected before a timer runs out. In tense moments—such as confronting an armed assailant—the time limit is shorter. After each adventure, the game reviews the player’s decisions and shows how popular each choice was with other players.
Originally planned as a small project between major releases, the developers said it grew into their largest game as of 2021. It launched on PC in May 2020, followed by releases on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in May 2021, Nintendo Switch in July 2021, and iOS in October 2021.
Critical reception was mixed. On Metacritic, scores were divided, while OpenCritic noted fair approval, with 73% of critics recommending it. *Adventure Gamers* praised its witty dialogue and Lynchian atmosphere but found unclear choices and pacing issues. IGN France highlighted replayability and atmosphere; IGN Greece commended the branching choices and likeable leads. *Digitally Downloaded* enjoyed the noir tone, acting, and a gameplay style described as “new yet familiar.” *Gamereactor*’s Danish outlet called the game uneven but enjoyable.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Dark Nights with Poe and Munro
- Developer
- D'Avekki Studios
- Engine
- Unity
- Platforms
- macOS / Windows / Linux / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch / iOS
- Released
- macOS, Windows / May 19, 2020 / Linux / March 31, 2021 / PlayStation 4, Xbox One / May 4, 2021 / Nintendo Switch / July 15, 2021 / iOS / October 27, 2021
- Genre
- Adventure
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
John 'Poe' Pope and Ellis Munro are radio hosts who cover supernatural topics. The characters previously appeared in D'Avekki Studios' games as minor characters. In the series chronology, this game takes place before The Shapeshifting Detective. Players control Poe and Munro as they become involved in six supernatural adventures, each of which is self-contained. At points where the players can make choices, icons are displayed on the screen. Players must choose an icon that represents their desired action before time runs out. During more intense situations, such as facing someone wielding a knife, the timers are shorter. After each adventure, the game recounts the player's choices and tells them how popular each choice was among other gamers.
Reader's Guide
Dark Nights with Poe and Munro was initially meant to be a small game made between D'Avekki Studios' major projects, but the developers said it eventually became their largest project as of 2021. On Metacritic, the game received mixed reviews. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received fair approval, being recommended by 73% of critics. Adventure Gamers wrote, 'A mix of the supernatural and saucy, Dark Nights with Poe & Munro excites with witty exchanges and Lynchian tales that come undone by unclear choice and pacing.' IGN published two reviews: IGN France praised the game's replayability and atmosphere, and IGN Greece praised the branching choices and called the leads likeable. Digitally Downloaded's reviewer enjoyed the noir atmosphere, acting, and gameplay, which was described as 'new yet familiar'. The Danish version of Gamereactor said that the game is uneven but enjoyable. The game's significance lies in its expansion of D'Avekki Studios' shared universe, its use of full-motion video, and its timed-choice mechanic that varies intensity based on in-game danger.
Did You Know?
- The game takes place before The Shapeshifting Detective in the series chronology.
- Poe and Munro previously appeared as minor characters in other D'Avekki Studios games.
- The game was initially planned as a small project but became D'Avekki Studios' largest as of 2021.
- After each adventure, the game shows how popular each player choice was among other gamers.
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