Change is inevitable

Experience a macabre, short-form, second-person indie, you play as The Dark Queen of Mortholme, the final barrier between the Hero and the end credits.

In this fixed-screen pixel art game, use the Queen's attacks against this hero, slay them, and quell this nuisance once and for all.

But, wait. How is this possible? The Hero keeps coming back.

Multiple Endings

Depending on your dialogue choices, the story will play out differently. Will you see the Hero's point of view, or continue ruling as the Queen Everlasting?

Features

Unleash Queenly Chaos: Wield the ever-evolving arsenal of the Dark Queen’s most devastating attacks.
A Relentless Foe: Face a persistent Hero in a final showdown to end all final showdowns.
Handcrafted Pixel Art: Painstakingly designed for impeccable game feel.
A Haunting Score: Fall into the tones of the Dark Queen’s domain.
Conquer and Collect: Unlock Steam Achievements as you slay this annoying hero!
A Challenge Worth Finishing: Designed to be beaten in a single, emotional sitting.

","background_raw","https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/3587610/9afa9b3da569b00c2f0e7d4ffe2129de886c6f6a/page_bg_raw.jpg?t=1755284768","package_groups",[183],{"_16":184,"_185":186,"_200":201,"_202":194,"_27":194,"_203":107,"_204":205,"_206":207},"default","subs",[187],{"_188":76,"_189":190,"_191":52,"_192":107,"_193":194,"_195":58,"_196":197,"_198":199},"packageid","option_text","The Dark Queen of Mortholme - 5,89€ 4,71€","is_free_license","percent_savings","option_description","","can_get_free_license","percent_savings_text","-20% ","price_in_cents_with_discount",471,"title","Buy The Dark Queen of Mortholme","save_text","display_type","selection_text","Select a purchase option","is_recurring_subscription","false","price_overview",{"_210":199,"_211":212,"_213":214,"_215":216,"_217":218,"_219":220},"final","initial",589,"currency","EUR","final_formatted","4,71€","discount_percent",20,"initial_formatted","5,89€","capsule_imagev5","https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/3587610/e39cc1cb434031183cd005a84b43db06cd22fd53/capsule_184x69.jpg?t=1755284768","pc_requirements",{"_225":226,"_227":228},"minimum","Minimum:

OS *: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: 128 MB
Storage: 200 MB available space

","recommended","Recommended:

OS *: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11
Processor: 2GHZ+
Memory: 3 GB RAM
Graphics: 512 MB
Storage: 200 MB available space

","recommendations",{"_143":231},140,"mac_requirements",{"_225":234,"_227":235},"Minimum:

OS: Mac OS X
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Storage: 200 MB available space

","Recommended:

OS: Mac OS X
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Storage: 200 MB available space

","short_description","You are the final boss, the Dark Queen of Mortholme, unrivaled in power. A hero invades and is easily crushed. Yet, they keep returning. A short-form indie game about an unusual bond, perspectives, and the beauty of change.","controller_support","full","linux_requirements",{"_225":242,"_227":243},"Minimum:

OS: It should run fine on any Linux OS that can run something like Undertale.
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Storage: 200 MB available space

","Recommended:

OS: It should run fine on any Linux OS that can run something like Undertale.
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Storage: 200 MB available space

","content_descriptors",{"_246":247,"_248":-5},"ids",[],"notes","supported_languages","English*, Italian*, Spanish - Spain*, Portuguese - Brazil*, Russian*, Spanish - Latin America*, Galician*, French*, Portuguese - Portugal*, Turkish*
*languages with full audio support","detailed_description","is_public","latest_result",{"_25":255,"_14":15,"_256":257,"_258":259,"_260":261,"_290":291,"_324":325,"_357":358,"_372":373,"_395":396,"_412":413,"_496":497,"_548":549,"_556":557,"_558":559,"_585":48,"_252":48},"28fa2f33-ed54-4197-9b6e-c6920dfa9d2f","created_at","2025-08-17T13:55:33.732135","updated_at","2025-08-17T14:03:59.997","positiveSummary",[262,273,279,285],{"_263":264,"_265":266,"_267":268,"_269":270,"_271":272},"point","Innovative Concept & Engaging Narrative","weight",0.9872585449014338,"importance",0.95,"clusterSize",355,"explanation","Players highly praise the game's innovative concept of playing as the final boss, offering a fresh and unique perspective on traditional boss battles. The well-written, emotional, and thought-provoking narrative, combined with beautiful pixel art and fitting music, creates a deeply impactful and memorable experience that is considered excellent value for its price.",{"_263":274,"_265":275,"_267":276,"_269":277,"_271":278},"Rich Dialogue & Character Evolution",0.39399184843968627,0.88,107,"The game features exceptionally well-written and profound dialogues that evolve with character progression, leading to multiple meaningful endings. This strong narrative and character development foster an unexpected bond between the hero and the boss, enhancing replayability and emotional depth.",{"_263":280,"_265":281,"_267":282,"_269":283,"_271":284},"Hero Progression & Boss Decline",0.05118987134558691,0.6,8,"The game effectively portrays the hero's progression and the boss's gradual decline, with changing defeat animations that highlight the evolving relationship. This mechanic makes players feel the inevitability of the hero's victory and the boss's eventual defeat.",{"_263":286,"_265":287,"_267":288,"_269":124,"_271":289},"Clean Pixel Art Graphics",0.02908146159491778,0.5,"The game's pixel art is consistently described as clean, neat, and well-crafted, contributing positively to the overall visual appeal and atmosphere of the game.","negativeSummary",[292,297,303,308,314,319],{"_263":293,"_265":294,"_267":268,"_269":295,"_271":296},"Overpriced for Short Length",0.6659231418922349,210,"Players consistently report that the game is extremely short, often completable in under an hour, including all achievements and endings. This brevity leads to a strong sentiment that the game is significantly overpriced for the amount of content it offers, with many feeling it should be a free demo or priced much lower.",{"_263":298,"_265":299,"_267":300,"_269":301,"_271":302},"Clunky & Scripted Combat",0.18736528348144926,0.8,41,"Combat mechanics are widely criticized for being clunky, slow, and overly scripted. Players feel a lack of control, with attacks often delayed or ineffective, making the gameplay feel monotonous and unsatisfying rather than skill-based.",{"_263":304,"_265":305,"_267":306,"_269":90,"_271":307},"Unfair & Cheating AI",0.11361096686245731,0.7,"The AI of the hero character is perceived as unfair and 'cheating.' Players report that the hero perfectly dodges attacks, has inconsistent hitboxes, and can avoid damage even when directly hit, leading to frustration and a sense of rigged gameplay.",{"_263":309,"_265":310,"_267":311,"_269":312,"_271":313},"Disempowering Boss Experience",0.10355218133436218,0.75,19,"Despite playing as the 'final boss,' players feel disempowered and that their defeat is inevitable. The game's design makes the player character feel weak and limited, undermining the premise of being an overpowered entity.",{"_263":315,"_265":316,"_267":282,"_269":317,"_271":318},"Limited & Unsatisfying Endings",0.09404179859655425,18,"Players are disappointed by the limited number of endings and the lack of impact their choices have on the outcome. There's a desire for more varied conclusions, particularly one where the Dark Queen survives or has a different relationship with the hero.",{"_263":320,"_265":321,"_267":322,"_269":124,"_271":323},"Inconsistent Hero Behavior",0.027503548280941606,0.4,"The hero's actions and motivations are unclear, with instances where the hero seemingly allows themselves to be hit or dies for plot progression. This makes the hero's eventual victory feel unearned and the narrative inconsistent.","gameplaySummary",[326,331,335,340,345,348,352],{"_263":327,"_265":328,"_267":268,"_269":329,"_271":330},"Unique Boss Role Reversal",0.2826934451456869,67,"The game uniquely casts the player as the final boss, specifically the 'Dark Queen,' who faces a persistent, learning hero. This role reversal provides a fresh perspective on the boss experience, highlighting the hero's relentless progression and the boss's eventual vulnerability, creating an emotionally tense atmosphere.",{"_263":332,"_265":333,"_267":300,"_269":218,"_271":334},"Story-Driven with Dialogue Choices",0.10936383442532098,"The game heavily emphasizes its narrative and dialogue choices, functioning more like an interactive story or visual novel than a traditional combat game. Player decisions in dialogue and combat influence the story's direction and lead to multiple endings.",{"_263":336,"_265":337,"_267":311,"_269":338,"_271":339},"Multiple Endings Available",0.0733634904165148,12,"The game features multiple endings, with reviewers confirming at least three distinct outcomes. These endings are influenced by player actions and dialogue choices, encouraging replayability to experience all narrative branches.",{"_263":341,"_265":342,"_267":288,"_269":343,"_271":344},"Simple, Scripted Gameplay",0.06210345331523943,11,"Reviewers note that the gameplay is simple and largely scripted, with easy difficulty. The boss's attack patterns are pre-programmed, and the hero learns these techniques, suggesting a focus on narrative progression over complex combat mechanics.",{"_263":346,"_265":281,"_267":282,"_269":283,"_271":347},"Minimalist Pixel Art Style","The game is characterized by its minimalist design, featuring pixel art graphics and a 2D reverse Souls-like or roguelike aesthetic. This contributes to its indie and experimental feel.",{"_263":349,"_265":350,"_267":322,"_269":136,"_271":351},"Desire for More Combat Variety",0.041847282715952366,"Players expressed a desire for more varied combat options for the boss, such as additional moves (grab, fireball), a second health bar, and customization. They also wished for the hero to exhibit more advanced combat behaviors like parrying.",{"_263":353,"_265":354,"_267":355,"_269":120,"_271":356},"Includes Pacifist Achievement",0.0206276612107062,0.3,"The game includes a unique pacifist achievement, rewarding players for not attacking the hero. This suggests an alternative approach to gameplay beyond direct combat.","performanceSummary",[359,363,367],{"_263":360,"_265":361,"_267":311,"_269":87,"_271":362},"Low system requirements",0.019136677931873618,"Players appreciate the game's minimal system requirements and small installation size, making it accessible on a wide range of hardware. This contributes to a positive initial experience for many users.",{"_263":364,"_265":365,"_267":282,"_269":113,"_271":366},"Excellent Steam Deck performance",0.01076134482795072,"The game reportedly runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck, indicating good optimization for portable play. This is a significant positive for players who prefer handheld gaming.",{"_263":368,"_265":369,"_267":370,"_269":113,"_271":371},"Isolated audio issue",0.0068758870702354015,0.1,"One user experienced an audio issue, but acknowledged it was likely a personal setup problem rather than a game bug. This suggests the issue is isolated and not a widespread game defect.","recommendationSummary",[374,380,385,390],{"_263":375,"_265":376,"_267":377,"_269":378,"_271":379},"Mixed Purchase Recommendation",0.3878491692837083,0.85,106,"Player sentiment on purchasing the game is mixed, often tied to its price point and perceived value. Many recommend buying it on sale or if the price is not a concern, while others suggest it's not worth the full price or even a discount. Some players also mention refunding the game after completion, which indicates a short playtime.",{"_263":381,"_265":382,"_267":311,"_269":383,"_271":384},"Support Developer Sentiment",0.34897753913901336,96,"A significant portion of players express a desire to support the developers, often citing the game's unique experience or potential for future content. This support is sometimes linked to the game's low price, viewing the purchase as a contribution rather than a full-fledged game investment.",{"_263":386,"_265":387,"_267":300,"_269":388,"_271":389},"Recommended for Specific Audiences",0.282842712474619,71,"The game is frequently recommended for specific player preferences, such as those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences, dark fantasy, indie games, or short, cozy adventures. It's also noted for its unique concept and ability to make players reflect.",{"_263":391,"_265":392,"_267":306,"_269":393,"_271":394},"Desire for More Content/Sequels",0.2500971008078262,63,"Players frequently express a desire for more content, including updates with new endings, additional gameplay, or a direct sequel. This suggests that while the current experience is appreciated, its brevity leaves players wanting more.","miscSummary",[397,400,404,408],{"_263":398,"_265":333,"_267":300,"_269":218,"_271":399},"Very short playtime","Players frequently mention the game's short playtime, often completing it within 20-40 minutes, which is within the refund window. While some acknowledge the developer's transparency or support the indie studio, the brevity is a recurring theme.",{"_263":401,"_265":402,"_267":311,"_269":343,"_271":403},"Wish to play as hero",0.06872876893492846,"A significant number of players expressed interest in playing as the hero character, or in a mode that reverses roles, allowing them to experience the game from a different perspective, potentially in a PvP or 'Souls-like' boss fight scenario.",{"_263":405,"_265":406,"_267":355,"_269":124,"_271":407},"Empathy for the Queen",0.025594935672793456,"Some players expressed empathy for the Queen character, noting her tragic realization of futility and lack of freedom, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.",{"_263":409,"_265":410,"_267":370,"_269":87,"_271":411},"Music is adequate",0.01156381757810063,"Feedback on the music was minimal and generally neutral, indicating it was acceptable but not particularly memorable or impactful.","emotionsSummary",[414,418,423,428,433,438,443,447,452,457,462,466,469,473,476,479,483,487,490,493],{"_263":415,"_265":416,"_267":416,"_269":231,"_271":417},"Satisfaction",0.24691358024691357,"Players felt satisfied due to the game's unique concept, engaging story, and overall high quality, often citing its value for money and the fresh perspective of playing as a boss. The game's ability to meet or exceed expectations and provide a meaningful, enjoyable experience also contributed significantly to this emotion.",{"_263":419,"_265":420,"_267":420,"_269":421,"_271":422},"Disappointment",0.21693121693121692,123,"Disappointment primarily stemmed from the game's short length, perceived lack of content, and high price relative to playtime. Players also expressed dissatisfaction with the limited depth, repetitive gameplay, and unfulfilled potential of the core concept, often feeling it was more akin to a demo than a full game.",{"_263":424,"_265":425,"_267":425,"_269":426,"_271":427},"Frustration",0.09347442680776014,53,"Frustration was frequently caused by the game's combat mechanics, particularly the scripted nature of fights, the hero's ability to avoid attacks, and a perceived lack of player agency. Issues with controls, repetitive gameplay, and the game's price point for its limited content also contributed to this feeling.",{"_263":429,"_265":430,"_267":430,"_269":431,"_271":432},"Appreciation",0.06878306878306878,39,"Players expressed appreciation for the game's unique concept, particularly the novel perspective of playing as a boss, and the quality of its dialogue, music, and pixel art. The evident effort from indie developers and the game's thought-provoking nature also garnered significant praise.",{"_263":434,"_265":435,"_267":435,"_269":436,"_271":437},"Desire",0.04409171075837742,25,"The emotion of desire was driven by a strong wish for more content, including additional endings, narrative paths, and gameplay features. Players wanted to see the game's concept expanded with more depth, lore, and character interactions.",{"_263":439,"_265":440,"_267":440,"_269":441,"_271":442},"Excitement",0.042328042328042326,24,"Excitement was generated by the game's innovative concept, especially the unique twist of playing as a boss in a Souls-like setting. Players were thrilled by the fresh perspective, engaging gameplay loop, and the anticipation of its release or future developments.",{"_263":444,"_265":445,"_267":445,"_269":317,"_271":446},"Hope",0.031746031746031744,"Hope was primarily focused on the game's future, with players wishing for expansions, DLC, or sequels that would add more content, improve existing mechanics, and further develop the unique concept. There was a strong desire for the developers to continue building upon the game's foundation.",{"_263":448,"_265":449,"_267":449,"_269":450,"_271":451},"Joy",0.024691358024691357,14,"Joy was experienced through the game's fun and unique qualities, its engaging atmosphere, and the emotional impact of its narrative. Playing as the antagonist and the overall stress-free, enjoyable experience contributed to this positive emotion.",{"_263":453,"_265":454,"_267":454,"_269":455,"_271":456},"Enjoyment",0.02292768959435626,13,"Enjoyment arose from the game's overall quality, its delightful and humorous script, and the fun experience it provided. The engaging animations and the general pleasantness of playing the game were key factors.",{"_263":458,"_265":459,"_267":459,"_269":460,"_271":461},"Admiration",0.01763668430335097,10,"Admiration was felt for the game's brilliant concept, its ability to make players think, and its innovative approach to overturning video game conventions. The quality of its metanarrative, art, and writing also led to players considering it a masterpiece.",{"_263":463,"_265":464,"_267":464,"_269":283,"_271":465},"Anger",0.014109347442680775,"Anger was primarily directed at the game's perceived poor overall quality and an unjustified price, leading some players to feel scammed or that their money was stolen. This emotion was often expressed with strong, negative language.",{"_263":467,"_265":464,"_267":464,"_269":283,"_271":468},"Interest","Interest was sparked by the game's unique proposition, particularly the novel perspective of playing as the boss, and its engaging dialogues. The core idea and character development were key elements that captured players' attention.",{"_263":470,"_265":471,"_267":471,"_269":136,"_271":472},"Thoughtfulness",0.012345679012345678,"Thoughtfulness was evoked by the game's philosophical and existential themes, its thought-provoking narrative, and its premise of playing as the villain. The game prompted players to reflect on concepts like growth, stagnation, and the nature of conflict.",{"_263":474,"_265":471,"_267":471,"_269":136,"_271":475},"Acceptance","Acceptance was related to players acknowledging the game's short length and simplicity as appropriate for its nature or price point. Some reviewers found the core elements acceptable despite limitations, especially when considering its affordability.",{"_263":477,"_265":471,"_267":471,"_269":136,"_271":478},"Neutrality","Neutrality stemmed from the game's short duration and minimal content, often in relation to its price-to-playtime ratio. This emotion indicated a lack of strong positive or negative feelings, suggesting the game was neither particularly impressive nor disappointing for some.",{"_263":480,"_265":481,"_267":481,"_269":128,"_271":482},"Love",0.008818342151675485,"Love for the game was driven by its overall experience, compelling story, and unique concept. Players felt a deep affection for the game, often citing its theme and the enjoyment it provided.",{"_263":484,"_265":485,"_267":485,"_269":124,"_271":486},"Boredom",0.007054673721340388,"Boredom was caused by the game's repetitive combat and its scripted, short nature. Players found the gameplay monotonous and lacking in variety, leading to a disengaged experience.",{"_263":488,"_265":485,"_267":485,"_269":124,"_271":489},"Reflection","Reflection was prompted by the game's profound impact, its thought-provoking themes, and its philosophical depth. The game encouraged players to ponder life lessons and deeper meanings within its narrative.",{"_263":491,"_265":485,"_267":485,"_269":124,"_271":492},"Empathy","Empathy was felt for the characters, particularly the Queen and the hero, due to the game's unique perspective on bosses and its ability to convey their experiences. Players connected emotionally with the struggles and motivations presented.",{"_263":494,"_265":485,"_267":485,"_269":124,"_271":495},"Amusement","Amusement arose from the game's unique premise, particularly its humorous take on Souls-like mechanics and the dialogues that explored the perspective of an endlessly defeated boss. The novel angle provided an entertaining experience.","gameInfo",{"_498":499,"_506":507,"_515":516},"usage",{"_500":501,"_502":503,"_504":505},"totalTokens",6188,"promptTokens",5546,"completionTokens",642,"gameCategories",[508,509,510,511,512,513,514],"Antagonist Perspective","Single-player Story","Multiple Endings","Choice-based Narrative","Real-time Combat","Interactive Fiction","Character Progression","mostRequestedFeatures",[517,521,525,529,532,536,540,544],{"_263":518,"_267":519,"_271":520},"More Game Content",0.67,"Players consistently desire more gameplay, story, and overall content, including additional endings, narrative paths, and expanded lore, to justify the game's price and extend playtime beyond its current very short duration.",{"_263":522,"_267":523,"_271":524},"Improved Combat Mechanics",0.19,"Players find the current combat clunky, slow, and overly scripted, desiring more player control, less monotony, and a more skill-based experience.",{"_263":526,"_267":527,"_271":528},"Fairer Hero AI and Consistent Hitboxes",0.11,"Players are frustrated by the hero's perceived 'cheating' AI, including perfect dodges and inconsistent hitboxes, desiring a more balanced and predictable opponent.",{"_263":530,"_267":370,"_271":531},"Increased Player Agency and Power as the Boss","Players feel disempowered and limited despite playing as the final boss, desiring a stronger sense of control and the ability to feel like an overpowered entity as per the game's premise.",{"_263":533,"_267":534,"_271":535},"More Varied and Impactful Endings",0.09,"Players are disappointed by the limited number of endings and the perceived lack of impact from their choices, desiring more diverse conclusions, particularly one where the Dark Queen survives or has a different relationship with the hero.",{"_263":537,"_267":538,"_271":539},"Hero Perspective Playable Mode",0.07,"Players expressed interest in a mode where they could play as the hero character, or a role-reversal scenario, to experience the game from a different perspective, potentially as a 'Souls-like' boss fight.",{"_263":541,"_267":542,"_271":543},"More Boss Combat Variety",0.04,"Players specifically request additional attack moves (e.g., grab, fireball), a second health bar, and customization options for the Dark Queen's abilities.",{"_263":545,"_267":546,"_271":547},"Consistent Hero Behavior and Motivations",0.03,"Players desire clearer and more consistent actions and motivations for the hero, as current instances make the hero's victory feel unearned and the narrative inconsistent.","summary",[550,551,552,553,554,555],"Innovative concept and engaging narrative","Rich dialogue and character evolution","Unique boss role reversal gameplay","Overpriced for very short length","Clunky and scripted combat","Mixed purchase recommendation","result_at","2025-08-17T13:56:29.164","result_stats",{"_560":561,"_562":563,"_576":577,"_578":579,"_580":581,"_582":107,"_583":561,"_584":120},"totalReviews",410,"featureCounts",{"_564":565,"_566":231,"_567":568,"_569":570,"_571":572,"_573":124,"_574":575},"emotions",567,"miscPoints","gameplayPoints",224,"negativePoints",531,"positivePoints",687,"performancePoints","recommendationPoints",152,"totalNegative",101,"totalPositive",209,"totalHelpfulReviews",310,"totalProtestReviews","totalFilteredReviews","totalProhibitedReviews","has_podcast","results",[588],{"_556":589},["D",1755438989164],"image","https://shared.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/3587610/library_600x900.jpg","image_fallback","gamesCount","page","search",[597,599,601,603,605,607,609],{"_25":598,"_16":508},"b5f9d8fe-eab8-4e29-a557-0054ad5ebcbd",{"_25":600,"_16":514},"93cf5fc0-f36a-4f23-befd-8546587b20a1",{"_25":602,"_16":511},"3a3a5736-52b5-4919-912f-93377d89cac4",{"_25":604,"_16":513},"7bba9ec3-1128-48cf-b21e-006af55f3185",{"_25":606,"_16":510},"18162bff-5888-46e9-bba5-3f8e08e6bdcb",{"_25":608,"_16":512},"1c2c7ae6-e475-4a18-aaf4-791701c23ffb",{"_25":610,"_16":509},"4010a81e-9693-4679-a2cc-3db9b0ff2945","initialCategories",[613],{"_25":598,"_16":508},"actionData","errors"]

All Games1

The Dark Queen of Mortholme