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Heart of Darkness

Windows - 1998

Alt name ハート・オブ・ダークネス
Year 1998
Platform Windows
Released in France, Germany, Japan, United States (1998)
Australia, Brazil, Germany, New Zealand (2000)
Germany (2001)
Genre Action
Theme Fantasy, Platform, Puzzle elements
Publisher Infogrames Europe SA, Interplay Productions, Inc., Ocean Software Ltd., Sammy Corporation, Spike Co., Ltd., Tantrum Entertainment, Inc.
Developer Amazing Studio
Perspectives 2D scrolling, Side view
4.48 / 5 - 130 votes

Description of Heart of Darkness

Read Full Description

Heart of Darkness is an excellent, but little known, platform adventure game Last PC game by Eric Chahi, designer of sleeper hit Out of this World (OOTW). Under development for over five years, Heart of Darkness features the same surreal, stranger-in-a-strange-land setup as OOTW, but it is decidedly much more light-hearted in tone-perhaps to appeal to younger gamers.

You are Andy, a Dennis the Menace wannabe whose greatest fear is the dark. After an eclipse of the sun whisks away your beloved dog, Whiskey, you quickly fly off into another dimension in a homemade spaceship you built. Yes, it is far-fetched, and yes, it makes little sense. But since most of us don't play platform games for good stories, this is somewhat forgivable. Armed with a trusty laser gun, you must blast screen after screen of unspeakable horrors to find your dog.

While it sounds simple, Heart of Darkness is much, much more difficult than OOTW. Even side-scroller veterans will find themselves dying more than usual after only a few minutes of play. This is a game that requires patience, flawless reflexes, and lots of trial and error to complete. Although you have virtually unlimited lives, you will have to start over either at the beginning of the level or certain "restarting points" when you die. These points are few and far between, and there is no telling where you will restart. This leads to hours of backtracking and grinding teeth, and you may be too frustrated to play it through to the ending.

Fortunately, Andy has the ability to run, double-jump, and shoot his way through multiple screens, and the action is more thought-out than other platformers. Rather than mindlessly jumping for coins or power-ups, this is a true action adventure, and survival relies on wit as well as reflexes. Light and shadow, along with subtle audio cues, play major roles in the game, as seemingly innocent reflections come to life. Though the enemies are cartoony, several of them are quite disturbing, and this probably isn't the best game to give your kids. After all, Andy gets beaten, snapped in two, swallowed whole, torn apart, immolated, and crushed in a variety of grisly fashions.

Though the quality of the animation is quite good, it's not entirely smooth. Jumps and other split-second moves are way too fiddly. This problem carries over into the game's poorly compressed cutscenes. Even though the cinematics have been rendered with the utmost attention to detail, they also suffer from a choppy frame-rate and poor resolution -- and just like the rest of the game, it's not even full-screen! But the upside is that those five-year-old graphics translate into five-year-old system requirements - the game runs smoothly on a 486/66 and a dual-speed CD-ROM drive, as long as you've got Windows 95.

Overall, if you're a big fan of action adventures in the style of Out of this World or Abe's Oddyssee, you will probably enjoy Heart of Darkness. Be warned, though, this game is extremely difficult for all but the most dexterous gamers. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you buy this brutal game. Thumbs up!

Review By HOTUD

External links

Comments and reviews

za 2024-02-21 -1 point

Run the game with hode.exe.

Vez 2024-02-14 0 point

The game is released in italian too, i have that iso but following the procedure you said it crashes on the initial loading (i'm on win10)

Kevin 2023-12-23 1 point

PEPPERMINT wrote: "Run 'HODWin32.exe' (from direcory CEFALUS solution)"

Can you explain it more clearly? the HODWIN32.exe at which directory? I run this file but nothing happen.

Peppermint 2023-08-03 0 point

Quart wrote: "For some reason, I can't change the controls. I go to the Options menu, I can select Difficulty and Sound but when I push left for controls nothing happens. Anyone else experiencing this?"

The 'hode.exe' solution as explaind by CEFALU (kudo's for that!) makes it possible to run the game on Windows 10/11 included the cutscenes. Unfortunately the 'hode.exe' workaround doesn't let you change the keyboard settings.

To change keyboard settings do the following steps.

- Mount the game iso (only required for changing settings)
- Run 'HODWin32.exe' (from direcory CEFALUS solution)
- Change keyboard settings
- Exit game from menu
- Unmount game iso
- Run game with 'hode.exe'

Good luck!

Anthony luetmer 2023-03-02 1 point

i cant find the hode.ini file anywhere.

Evil Nemesis 2023-02-12 2 points

Thanks Cefalü, your method works like a charm, if someone still have problem starting the game then make sure the directory name contains the underscores like the original rip version.

Quart 2023-01-03 1 point

For some reason, I can't change the controls. I go to the Options menu, I can select Difficulty and Sound but when I push left for controls nothing happens. Anyone else experiencing this?

Cefalü 2022-12-22 10 points

Yo, I read the comments and by combining various solutions I found how to make it work without too much effort on Windows 11 with cutscenes.

1) Download Hode, a rewrite of the engine. http://cyxdown.free.fr/hode/.
hode-0.2.9-win32.zip is the file you need, at the bottom of the page.
Extract the files into a folder.

2) Download the x86 version of SDL2.dll.
https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/releases/tag/release-2.26.1.
Extract the files into the same folder with Hode files.

3) Download both RIP and ISO versions of the game.
Extract the folder of the RIP version and put it in the folder with Hode files.
Now, open the extracted folder and go to paf folder. Delete hod.paf.
Open the ISO version, go to paf folder, copy hod.paf and paste in the paf folder of the RIP version.

4) The game will run faster, if you want the original game speed open hode.ini and change the frame duration from 50 to 80. Also in the game an image smoothing algorithm is applied, if you want something more faithful to the original graphics try to change it through the hode.ini file in the scaling algorithm option.

5) Run the game with hode.exe.

Have fun!

MateusAuri 2022-11-30 0 point

If you get a (0xc000007b) error with hode, be sure to use a x86 version of SDL2.dll
The one in JEZZE's comment worked fine for me

Nippy 2022-09-23 0 point

I kind of wonder if it is just better to play the PlayStation version.

Helper 2022-09-14 0 point

If the game runs too fast edit hode.ini and change frame duration from 50ms to 80ms. 80 is default for original game. No idea why new engine creators changed that.
If you'd like to change graphics to look more like an original game then tinker with scaling options in .ini file. I personally found scale algoritm 'nearest' to give the the most acurate (pixelated) result.

If you're struggling to install the game
1. Install the game from cd or iso
2. Copy hod.paf & SDL2.dll & hode win32 files to the game main directory
3. edit hode.ini to change settings (optional)
4. run hode.exe

hodp 2022-09-06 0 point

p.s.
to run the game on full screen edit the file hode.ini and set where it says full screen from False to True

hodp 2022-09-06 0 point

@THATONEGUYREMEMBER?
Thanks for your help, I was able to follow your instructions and get it to work with cut scenes (by running hode.exe).
Regarding the speed too fast issue, I think I was able to resolve it: nvidia control panel you can set maximum fps for any game, see more details:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-VeaCDZ65A&ab_channel=SlurpTech

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/q1a949/help_old_video_game_running_too_fast_on_windows_10/

ThatOneGuyRemember? 2022-08-11 3 points

I've just found another issue.
All the sound effects of Andy play only through the left channel.
The rest is in stereo.

ThatOneGuyRemember? 2022-08-11 7 points

SUCCESSFULLY INSTALLED THE GAME ON WINDOWS 10, WITH CUT SCENES. JUST ONE ISSUE!
I've installed the game following some suggestions in the comments and I can play the game with the cut scenes etc. (to contribute back into this community I'll list what I've done below)
However, the game seems to run faster than the intended speed which, I think with my limited knowledge, might have something to do with how the emulator or my computer interprets the frame rate. But I'm of course not at all sure why it's running this way.
I'm already very very grateful that the game is running but it would be awesome if someone could tell me how to fix this issue.

Successfully running the game on a Windows 10 system. This is how I did it:
-Downloaded the ISO version and installed it without the use of PowerISO or any other additional software.
-Installed DirectX just to be sure.
-Rebooted my computer just to be sure.
-Downloaded the RIP version and pasted all the files in the installation folder (the folder where the ISO version installed all the files). Didn't overwrite anything.
-Downloaded HODE via this link: http://cyxdown.free.fr/hode/
I downloaded the Win32 executable and the source code and pasted all the contents of both downloads in the Heart of Darkness folder without creating a new folder for it.
-Downloaded SDL (x86 version) through this link:
https://libsdl.org/download-2.0.php
I pasted the file in the same folder as I did the HODE files.
-I opened the ISO download with PowerISO and copied the following files to the same folder as HODE and SDL:
-HOD.paf from folder 'paf', allow overwriting
-the entire folder 'bin'

Once I've done all of this I was able to play the game WITH the cut scenes. The only issue I have, as stated earlier, is that the game is running too fast.
Hope someone can help me out with that.
Thanks!

yovi 2022-07-10 -1 point

how do i download heart of darkness?

win11sucks 2022-06-26 0 point

on 64bit machines try to change the Data Execution Prevention (www.top-windows-tutorials.com/dep-settings.html)

That guy 2021-12-18 0 point

I have the original disc for this and the playstation version. In all honesty rather just play the playstation version. The cutscenes and backgrounds are higher resolution and it just runs without flaw.

Hiraeth 2021-09-06 1 point

I've followed ALL the suggestions in the below comments, and NOTHING makes these damn cutscenes work. What am I doing wrong?

nostalgiakid 2021-07-13 2 points

had this game on ps1 as a kid and never for to goddamn life of me could i ever get passed the first screen XD

Undead Exile 2021-06-18 3 points

I downloaded both the RIP and ISO versions. I followed Miankot's suggestions but the executable didn't work. Then I did the following steps:

- Downloaded the HODE source code as Sahus mentioned, and copy-pasted all the source code files into the RIP folder.
- Downloaded the HODE Win32 executable and took its .exe and placed it in the RIP folder.
- Downloaded the x86 version of the SDL2.dll as Jezze mentioned, and also placed it in the RIP folder.

I don't know if the above is the right way, but the game worked, complete with cinematics and movie sequences/transitions. It auto-saves progress normally. However the ESC button doesn't bring me back to the main menu, it straight closes the .exe. Also, when I access Options, I cannot access Controls and I cannot change difficulty level. But everything else works normally.

Motrakik 2021-06-18 0 point

Ok here I am...

Jezze is right all along expect for supporting the cinematics... :(

BUT:

1-installing the game
2-Copy/Paste "hode-0.2.9-win32" into the instal folder of the game
3-Copy/Paste the SDL2.dll into the instal folder of the game

makes it work on my Win10!

just missing the cinematics now... Cheers!

Cristiano 2020-12-05 1 point

Ok so I did Miankot's instructions but I cant figure out how to run it now that I'm done.

Jezze 2020-10-10 9 points

HODE (http://cyxdown.free.fr/hode/) a rewrite of the game's engine works perfectly on Windows 10. No need to mount the ISO and it supports the video sequences. Just place the hod.paf in the same folder, not in a sub-folder. The hode.exe required the x86 version of the SDL2.dll (https://libsdl.org/download-2.0.php).

Deb 2020-07-30 -3 points

I have an UN opened heart of darkness that still has the plastic seal on the Box. How much is that worth?

Ali 2020-06-03 3 points

So what is the last file i should press to start the game!?
and is it on iso or rip!?
i did all the steps in the 2nd comment

sahus 2020-04-06 13 points

You can use source code of the game http://cyxdown.free.fr/hode/ to play it on modern machines

MIANKOT 2019-11-22 19 points

To play this game with cutscenes:
1. Download both RIP and ISO
2. Extract RIP contents to whatever directory you like
3. Mount ISO (or extract contents) and copy the HOD.paf file from paf folder. Paste it into the paf folder of the RIP version.
4. Copy the contents of bin folder from ISO and paste it in folder of RIP version. Allow overwriting.
5. Run HOD.REG from RIP folder.

You can now play game with cutscenes without mounting iso.

Note: If it still still doesnt work, try running hod.1.reg from folder as well. Also I highly recommend peixoto patch if you are getting graphical issues.

Sud-ita-fan 2019-08-21 0 point

Belli i video! il gioco non e lungo,ma fa molto male ad Andy.

Tetlee 2019-08-21 1 point

The Rip version says I need the CD rom, very frustrating

Fed 2019-08-04 1 point

no cutscenes :( any idea on how can i fix it?

Krok 2019-04-09 1 point

For those who can't run the game just change the compability to Windows XP (Service Pack 2) it worked for me.

Krok 2019-04-09 1 point

I got this to run but i have no cutscenes (ISO Version)
It supposed to have cutscenes right?

ArdAvedis 2019-01-08 4 points

Can't run the gmae from the full iso. I can only run the rip version but then I lose all the cutscenes.
I've even tried on a win 98 virtual box
Any suggestions

markus 2018-12-20 1 point

do i need an emulator to play heart of darkness?

zenron 2018-08-28 -1 point

you can't play if you don't have the emulator or disk? what is this crap???

Fernando, Portuguese 2018-04-14 -3 points

Good website, good games and now its back to play them...

boh 2017-10-03 3 points

non va, quando schiaccio "start game" mi si chiude la finestra, qualcuno può aiutarmi?

annabanana 2017-07-22 3 points

Works perfectly!

CrazyOniRC 2017-06-17 0 point

this is a decent game. Its got a good story and the puzzles are tricky. it can get violent at times though but not too violent.ex. ripped to pieces by shadows. 7 stars out of 10

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Download Heart of Darkness

We may have multiple downloads for few games when different versions are available. Also, we try to upload manuals and extra documentation when possible. If you have additional files to contribute or have the game in another language, please contact us!

Windows Version

DownloadRIP Version English version 58 MB DownloadISO Version 1.1
US Release English version 458 MB
DownloadISO Version 1.4
EU Rerelease English version 550 MB
DownloadISO Version 1.4 German version 538 MB DownloadISO Version 1.0 French version 485 MB DownloadISO Version 1.4 Italian version 541 MB DownloadISO Version 1.2 Japanese (ja) version 448 MB ManualEnglish version 2 MB

Game Extras

Various files to help you run Heart of Darkness, apply patches, fixes, maps or miscellaneous utilities.

ManualFrench version 9 MB MiscMini Game Disc English version French version German version Italian version 591 MB DemoCoca Cola Special Edition French version 303 MB DemoKellog's Special Edition French version 406 MB Demo3com OEM Edition French version 257 MB

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