In the beginning, we’re flung back to a scene set centuries ago. A lady called Ameeha casts a spell to save her love, a large and muscly man (Prince Anantha), but she dies in the process.

Freeeee meeeee!
RRRAAAAARRRGH!

Skip to the present, or whatever counts as the present in this game. You play as Mary, on a boat with your husband James and your daughter Sophia. You’ve recently received a letter from your grandpa. Up until now, you had thought your grandparents to be dead, so you’ve set off on a quest to India to find them and reunite your family.

Cue disaster and tragedy. A demonic looking chap (the titular Darkarta) appears on a flying buffalo and steals your daughter from you, injuring your husband in the process. We soon find out that Darkarta is immortal, and he “is the curse of these isles”. He’s kidnapped your daughter because she has the purest soul, and that’s what he needs to create an elixir of life to restore his lost bride. I suspect at this point we’re not supposed to know that Darkarta is Prince Anantha, given that it’s an objective to find out who he is later in the game, but I can’t see what other conclusion you could reach given the opening cut scene and the fact he needs the elixir for his ‘lost bride’.

Anyway, you reach the island where your grandparents live, and it’s time to explore. I was already feeling that the story was fairly ridiculous, and then this happens…

Darkarta grandpa
Why hello there, sir.

Your grandfather, somewhat randomly, appears as a ghost. He gives you a lead as to where to go next, and off you go again.

The main person constantly standing in your way is a rather angry lady called Lasya, who possibly killed your parents and is being just an all-round pain in the bottom. Mary, via her journal, tells you that Lasya was wearing ‘traditional attire’. I could not help but giggle. For reference, a screenshot of Lasya is provided below.

Lasya, wearing traditional attire.
Look at her traditional attire.

Through a series of visions, Mary later sees that she may have been involved in this Anantha/Ameeha business from the beginning of the game after all, tricking Ameeha and attacking Anantha. However, that was in her former life as Nagin. That’s why Lasya has the hump with you. Even though it wasn’t you, but you in a former life. So, not you at all, really.

Confused yet? Well, the story gets more convoluted and silly as things progress. I caught myself rolling my eyes at certain points. I think one of the issues is the tone of the game; it seems to take it all very seriously. Unfortunately, if you’re starting off with a flying buffalo, a lighter and more tongue in cheek approach may be more appropriate.

The writing is quite clunky as well, with a few obvious errors (possibly translation hiccups). All in all, the story isn’t this game’s strong point.