A ruined open world becomes a hunting ground for paranormal threats in this co-op survival horror experience, where death is never far away and your spiritual safety rests with an otherworldly feline guardian. After making a pact with Bwonsombdi, the Loa of the Dead, players search for a way to resist an encroaching Darkness that has swallowed civilization. The mood combines scavenging tension with occult investigation, turning familiar abandoned spaces into hostile places where every expedition can cost valuable supplies. Rather than focusing only on jump scares, On Dark Terms builds its horror around preparation, uncertainty, and the fear of entering the next dungeon under-equipped.

Play revolves around roaming the map for crafting materials, then turning those resources into consumables and Bio Fusion gear suited to dangerous investigations. Six main dungeon locations—including a mall, mansion, museum, library, office, and amusement park—serve as concentrated paranormal encounters where players destroy Dark Matter and study the evidence that appears afterward. Absorbing energy from that evidence fuels survival and progression, creating a loop of gathering, crafting, investigating, and returning stronger for tougher runs. Online co-op supports up to four players, making it possible to divide roles, cover more ground, and tackle the unknown as a group, though the setup also suits smaller teams looking for a more nerve-racking pace.

Its strongest hook is the blend of open-world survival systems with ghost-hunting structure: the objective is not merely to escape a haunted building, but to prepare for it through exploration and RPG-style resource management. Customization goes well beyond a player avatar, extending to gadgets, apartment details, icons, and the protective cat itself; a dedicated cat room unlocks additional décor and appearance options as levels rise. That unusual companion gives the bleak setting a welcome personal touch without softening its grim occult premise. Players who enjoy the investigation tension of Phasmophobia but want more crafting, exploration, and persistent character progression should find plenty to like, especially with friends.