We Love It's Guide to…
A Templar explores a cursed temple, fighting with stamina-based combat, scavenging gear, and spending faith to open routes.
Released 25 Apr 2019
Spend Faith to Open Gates
Uncover Temple Secrets
Tune Gear with Runes
Explore the secrets of a mysterious fallen temple and put your Templar faith to the test in Dark Devotion, where no sacrifice is too great in praise of your God.
Developed by Hibernian Workshop · Published by The Arcade Crew, Maple Whispering Limited





You play as a Templar on a pilgrimage into a fallen temple, seeking its secrets while confronting enemies and discovering fragments of the temple’s story in documents, items, and encounters with characters.
The side-scrolling journey crosses four worlds linked by branching routes and secret areas. Combat is deliberate: attacks, blocks, and dodges draw on stamina, so learning enemy patterns and choosing when to strike matter. Traps and one-way passages make route choices consequential.
Weapons, armor, relics, and mystical runes let you shape your equipment and fighting style. Defeated enemies yield Faith, which can open paths and special chests; blessings, curses, and illnesses alter conditions during a journey. Healing and curse-removing items help you manage each expedition, while upgrades and unlocks support further attempts.
Players who enjoy Dark Devotion often point to its oppressive dark-fantasy atmosphere, pixel art, deliberate combat, and demanding boss fights. Some also like exploring for secrets and experimenting with weapons and blessings. The supplied reviews are mixed: recurring complaints include awkward, unchangeable controls, confusing navigation and progression, and combat or hazards that some players find slow or unfair.
Explore the secrets of a mysterious fallen temple and put your Templar faith to the test in Dark Devotion, where no sacrifice is too great in praise of your God. Measure your devotion and your bravery by journeying into deepest darkness for answers to questions that will challenge your very existence.

Dark Devotion features a richly detailed, immersive narrative that unfolds a sombre tale of your Templar religion’s irresistible calling. Every encounter challenges your fortitude, piety, and conviction as you move deeper into your cursed pilgrimage. Spanning four unique worlds, each with their own incredibly detailed environments, you’ll wield dozens of weapons in your quest to discover the Temple’s secret: all the while assailed by dark enemies and devious bosses whose core mission is to destroy your soul and damn you forever.

Throughout Dark Devotion you’ll discover an array of weapons, armors, and relics with which to enhance your character. Each item has its own attributes and statistics, and is customizable with mystical runes. It is essential that you maximize your strengths and adapt your inventory to the enemy you’re facing. Choose wisely...

Dark Devotion is a story of perseverance, dedication, and secrets. Every chest you open, every item you encounter holds another piece of the story: be it a letter, weapon, or clue, all will help you on your quest. Whether you find these secrets amongst the shadows or in the dead hand of another character ...well, that all depends.

In the Temple, Faith is your only recourse against the heathen droves. Defeat them to collect Faith and unlock secret paths, special chests, and more. But remember to use your Faith sparingly. Nothing lasts forever.

The Temple yearns to see you dead. Your survival depends on using the right item at the right time to heal your wounds or dispel a curse. Some of these items can be looted, others are scattered throughout the Temple in secret places. Employ them wisely… your life depends on it.

The eye of your God is ever-watchful. Complete an act of bravery or skill, and your God might bless you. But the Temple is also rife with despair and sickness, ready to destroy those who lack courage and temperance. Learn quickly its ways, or suffer.

Salvation is fleeting, so choose your route wisely. Every world in Dark Devotion offers several different paths. Each one is original, but all are interconnected, and the only commonality they share is that there is no turning back.

Completing your quest requires shrewd interpretation of the secrets shrouded within the Temple. It’s easy to get lost, though this might bring you favor...depending on the secret you uncover. Perhaps the Temple will reveal a hidden altar where one’s story can be saved if one honors the Temple appropriately...or perhaps not.

● Dynamic and heavy combat
● Dozens of weapons, armor, and items for various fighting styles
● Intricate system of blessings, curses, and illnesses
● White-knuckle boss battles
● Rich, complex storyline
● Dark levels and brooding environments


| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 45 |
| Age ratings |
|
| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 1 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
|
| Metacritic | 72/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |