Piece of Cake Studios has officially announced that its acclaimed cooperative survival horror game, Dark Hours, will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles on April 22. Priced at $14.99, this console release brings the complete, terrifying heist experience to a new audience, featuring all content from its successful PC version, which has already sold over 500,000 units. For players who have been waiting to test their nerve and teamwork on the big screen, this marks the definitive arrival of a unique blend of strategic robbery and monster-infested survival.
What is Dark Hours?
Dark Hours is a four-player cooperative survival horror game that masterfully combines the tension of a high-stakes heist with the dread of a monster hunt. The premise is simple yet effective: you and your crew plan the perfect robbery, but upon entering the target location, the power fails, and you discover you are not alone. A deadly creature now stalks the halls, turning your mission from theft to survival. The game challenges you to adapt your plan on the fly, balancing the objectives of stealing valuable loot with the primal need to escape a relentless predator. It’s a game about quick thinking, resource management, and the often-fragile bonds of teamwork under extreme pressure.
The Core Gameplay Loop
The gameplay of Dark Hours is built on a high-risk, high-reward cycle of planning, execution, and escape. Each session begins with your team selecting a contract, which dictates the primary objective, such as stealing a specific artifact or destroying evidence. You then choose your loadout from a vast arsenal of over 50 heist items, each with a specific tactical purpose. Once inside, you must navigate one of 60 detailed maps, complete objectives, avoid traps, and manage the ever-present threat of one of eight unique monsters. Success requires a careful mix of stealth, coordination, and sometimes, sacrificing a teammate to ensure the rest get out with the goods.
Deep Dive into the Console Release Content
The April 22 release is not a simple port; it is the full, feature-rich experience that PC players have enjoyed, now optimized for console play. This includes all updates and content from the game’s Early Access period on Steam, which began in October 2024, through its full PC release in October 2025. Console players will receive the complete package from day one, ensuring they have access to the same depth of gameplay that has captivated hundreds of thousands of players.
Environments and Maps
Dark Hours offers five distinct, high-value environments, each with its own layout, security challenges, and atmospheric horror. These are not simple backdrops but complex, multi-level spaces designed for both heist strategy and survival panic. The Auction Houses are filled with priceless relics and tight security corridors. Casinos are sprawling, glittering mazes of slot machines and vaults. Museums present open halls and delicate exhibits that can become deadly obstacles. Nuclear Power Plants are industrial labyrinths with environmental hazards. Finally, the Cruise Ships provide a claustrophobic, multi-deck setting. With 60 maps across these environments, no two heists will ever feel exactly the same.
The Monsters of Dark Hours
Each of the eight monsters in Dark Hours is a unique threat with specific behaviors, abilities, and weaknesses. This design forces players to learn and adapt their strategies for each creature, rather than relying on a single tactic. For example, one monster might be blind but have acute hearing, making stealthy movement crucial. Another might be attracted to electronic signals, requiring players to carefully manage their use of hacking tools. The console release includes all these creatures, each requiring a different approach to outwit and survive. This variety is a core pillar of the game’s replayability, as teams must constantly adjust their plans based on which monster they are facing.
Heist Items and Loadout Strategy
Strategic item selection is the difference between a clean escape and a bloody end. The console version features the full suite of over 50 tools, which can be broadly categorized. Hacking and Remote-Control Devices allow you to manipulate security systems from a distance. EMP Holy and Ice Grenades can temporarily disable electronics or create environmental barriers. Entity Scanners and GPS Trackers are crucial for situational awareness, helping you track the monster’s movements. Instant Cameras can be used to scout ahead or document clues. Choosing the right combination for the environment, objective, and suspected monster is a critical first step that can determine the entire mission’s outcome.
Essential Items for Beginners
For new players stepping into the dark for the first time, focusing on a few key items can dramatically increase survival chances. A Flare Gun is invaluable for creating a temporary safe zone or distracting a monster. EMP Grenades are essential for disabling security grids or electronic locks quickly. Entity Scanners provide early warnings, and a basic Heist Kit with lockpicks and wire cutters is a must for any environment. Starting with a balanced loadout that includes one tool for security, one for distraction, and one for information gathering will provide a solid foundation for learning the game’s deeper mechanics.
Missions, Factions, and Progression
Beyond simple survival, Dark Hours features a robust progression system tied to its criminal underworld. Players can choose from over 12 distinct mission objectives, which require different approaches and item priorities. The game also includes three mafia factions. Building your reputation with each faction unlocks exclusive items and customizations, adding a layer of long-term strategy. Do you pledge loyalty to one group for powerful rewards, or play the field to gain a wider arsenal? This system, combined with over 100 cosmetic items, provides clear goals and a satisfying sense of growth across dozens of terrifying heists.
Game Modes and Difficulty
Dark Hours offers a variety of ways to experience its unique horror, ensuring both cooperative and competitive players find a challenge that suits them. The core experience is the cooperative survival mode for up to four players. However, the game expands beyond that with additional ways to play, each designed to test different skills and provide fresh experiences.
Four Levels of Terror
The game features four difficulty levels, allowing players to tailor the intensity. The standard modes offer a balanced challenge of security systems and monster aggression. The ultimate test, however, is Nightmare Mode. This mode is designed for seasoned crews, drastically increasing the monster’s intelligence, speed, and lethality while limiting resources. It is the definitive challenge for teams who think they have mastered the art of the heist under pressure.
Competitive and Alternative Play
For those seeking a different kind of thrill, Dark Hours includes a player-versus-player-versus-environment mode. Here, two teams of robbers compete against each other inside the same monster-infested location. The goal is to complete your objectives and escape before the other team, adding a layer of intense rivalry to the horror. Additionally, three fun extra game modes provide a break from the tension: Golden Rabbit, Curling, and Red Light Green Light. These modes offer lighter, objective-based gameplay that can be a great way to earn in-game currency or just have a chaotic laugh with friends.
Key Features and Strategic Depth
Beyond the basic premise, Dark Hours is built on a foundation of interconnected systems that reward planning, communication, and on-the-fly adaptation. The game’s design philosophy of “Plan. Break. Steal.” and “Cooperate. Survive. Escape.” is not just marketing; it is reflected in every mechanic.
Dynamic Cooperative Gameplay
The true horror of Dark Hours emerges from the dynamic between the players and the monster. The cooperative gameplay is not just about being together; it’s about managing shared resources, splitting up to cover more ground, and making sacrifices. The monster’s AI reacts to sound, light, and player activity, meaning a poorly timed hack or a dropped item can bring the creature right to your hiding spot. Teams must decide whether to stick together for safety or divide tasks to finish faster, all while the monster’s patrol patterns and sensory abilities change the risk calculus with every move.
Reputation and Faction Strategy
Aligning with the game’s three mafia factions is not a cosmetic choice. Each faction offers a unique set of unlockable gear that can fundamentally alter a team’s approach. One faction might specialize in stealth and hacking tools, while another provides heavy-duty breaching equipment. The strategic decision lies in whether to focus on one faction for its high-tier items or to spread reputation to gain a broader, more adaptable toolkit. This system adds a meta-layer of planning, as your long-term faction allegiance directly impacts your available strategies in each map.
From PC to Console: The Journey of Dark Hours
The path to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series release has been a steady evolution. Dark Hours first entered Steam Early Access on October 24, 2024, allowing the developers to refine the experience based on community feedback. The full PC release followed on October 23, 2025, marking the culmination of that process. The console version arriving in April 2026 is the complete, polished game, benefiting from over a year of live updates and player data. This transition from PC to console is a significant milestone, bringing the game’s unique cooperative horror to the living room and expanding its community with full cross-play support, ensuring friends can team up regardless of their platform.
Building on Success
Surpassing 500,000 units sold on PC is a clear indicator of the game’s strong core concept and execution. This success provided Piece of Cake Studios with the resources and player insights to ensure the console port is a definitive experience. The inclusion of all content from the PC version, plus the inherent social nature of console gaming, positions Dark Hours to become a staple of online party games, offering a perfect mix of strategy, panic, and dark humor.
Tips for Surviving Your First Heist
Jumping into Dark Hours can be overwhelming. The combination of pressure from the clock, the monster, and your own teammates requires a solid foundation. Here are practical strategies to help your crew make it out alive, or at least richer, on your first attempts.
Communication is Your Best Tool
Before you even pick a lock, establish a communication plan. Designate callouts for monster sightings, item locations, and objective status. Use the in-game ping system for silent coordination. The most common mistake for new teams is talking over each other during a critical moment, which can lead to missed warnings and a swift end.
Know Your Role and Items
Early on, assign roles based on the items each player carries. The player with the Entity Scanner should be the primary lookout, calling out the monster’s position. The player with EMP Grenades should be the designated door-opener or trap-disabler. The player with the Flare Gun should be the designated distraction expert. This simple division of labor prevents everyone from trying to do everything at once and failing.
When to Run and When to Hide
Understanding the monster’s sensory abilities is key. If the monster is blind but has acute hearing, crouch-walk and avoid breaking glass. If it’s attracted to electronics, only use your hacking device when absolutely necessary and from a safe distance. Always have an escape route planned before starting a noisy objective. Sometimes, leaving a teammate behind is the only way to secure the loot and escape, a brutal but often necessary lesson in the world of Dark Hours.
With its unique fusion of heist strategy and survival horror, Dark Hours offers a distinct and thrilling experience that stands out in the multiplayer landscape. The console release on April 22 brings this complete package to a wider audience, delivering all the tense cooperative gameplay, strategic depth, and monster-fueled panic that has defined its success. Whether you’re meticulously planning a silent robbery or desperately running from a creature in the dark, the game promises a memorable test of nerve and teamwork, making it a compelling addition to any horror fan’s library this spring.
