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PatrickDark CutDark Cut and Dark Cut 2 are surgery games where you use the mouse to make incisions, stitch, scrub, saw, whatever is required to save the patient in each case scenario. These are not games for the faint of heart, both in terms of graphics and gameplay; therefore, they are recommended for mature audiences only.

The Dark Cut series is a gory, more intense Web alternative to Trauma Center for the DS and Wii, with a historical premise. The first Dark Cut takes place in medieval times, while the second takes place in the Civil War. The medical tools you use fit the respective period in sickly humorous ways: whiskey for the 19th century, rose water for the middle ages (and you thought your HMO was bad).

Gameplay consists of clicking the mouse over stars that mark key points on the patient, and sometimes tapping the arrow keys to saw (Dark Cut 1). Instructions are given for each case, but the stress of a patient whose vitals are constantly dropping, coupled with abrasive sound effects in the background, makes for a difficult experience. For example, bandaging (Dark Cut 2) involves taking the mouse cursor to the eyeball in the upper right corner and circling around it. Go through all the steps of the procedure without killing the patient and you pass.

Analysis: The two games are interesting to compare, such that the first one gets some things right that the second one breaks, and vice versa. For example, having to select tools from a tray in Dark Cut 2 is cumbersome, both from the click detection and by having to visually identify the particular tool. Since there's no health boosting item as in Trauma Center, this selection handicap seems unnecessary. Conversely, the first Dark Cut simply hands you the item you need and is therefore a much more playable experience. Dark Cut 2, on the other hand, is a massive improvement in terms of production values and overall aesthetics: you really feel like you're a civil war surgeon trying to focus on saving a man's life with bourbon anaesthetic, some gauze and a scalpel. You feel the dirt, sweat and blood and it succeeds as a phantasmic experience, beyond being merely fun; but, unfortunately, the interface gets in the way of the latter.

If you can handle the mire of pre-Modern health care, and the mire of taxing difficulty, the Dark Cut games will deliver a rare experience.

  • Currently 4.5/5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
New! Rating: 4.5/5 (31 votes cast)

Dark Cut (1 & 2) walkthrough now available!

Walkthrough Guide

Walkthrough for Dark Cut 2:

image
Surgery #1 (Minie Ball Puncture Wound)
image
  1. image
    Give the guy a few shots of Deathwish Whiskey - Premium Scotch Whiskey (45% alcohol in volume, Since 1699).
  2. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to clean the wound.
  3. image
    Purify the wound with the Medical Alcohol. Warning:
    image
    Pouring Medical Alcohol on his wound reduces his lifeline by 10.
  4. image
    Gently open the wound with the Forceps.
  5. image
    Carefully remove the bullet from the wound with the Forceps.
  6. image
    Use the Suture Needle to sew up the wound. Do it in a criss-cross pattern.
  7. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to clean the wound again.
  8. image
    Purify the wound with the Medical Alcohol again. Remember, pouring Medical Alcohol on the wound reduces his lifeline by 10.
  9. image
    Bandage his arm. You're done. How to do it:
    image
    A dial will appear in the top right corner of the screen. Hold down your mouse button on it and spin it in the counter-clockwise direction until you see his arm bandaged up.
Surgery #2 (Shrapnel To The Forehead)
image
  1. image
    Give the guy a few shots of Deathwish Whiskey to dull the pain.
  2. image
    Dry and clean the wound with the Sponging Rag.
  3. image
    Use the Scalpel to cut the major wound for extraction.
  4. image
    Use the Forceps to pry open the wound.
  5. image
    Open the second layer of skin with the Forceps.
  6. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to apply pressure to the wound and soak up the blood.
  7. image
    Remove the piece of shrapnel with the Forceps. Warning:
    image
    Do not remove the shrapnel by dragging it to the left. It is similar to taking the shrapnel piece and jamming it further into his skull. You will fail the surgery if you do this.
  8. image
    Place the shrapnel onto the tray.
  9. image
    Slide the skull fragment back into place with the Forceps.
  10. image
    Grab the skin graft with the Forceps.
  11. image
    Place the skin graft onto the exposed skull bone.
  12. image
    Use the Hot Iron to fuse the skin into place.
  13. image
    Use the cotton from the Bandages to pack the wound.
  14. image
    Grab the leather wrap with the Forceps.
  15. image
    Put the leather wrap over the wound.
  16. image
    Use the Suture Needle and sew the leather wrap into the flesh (in a clockwise direction).
  17. image
    Pour the Medical Alcohol onto the deeper cuts. Thankfully, this patient does not lose any points of his lifeline (tougher, probably?).
  18. image
    Pour wax from the beaker (Automatically changed from Medical Alcohol to Wax) onto the wounds. You're done.
Surgery #3 (Infection In The Leg)
image
  1. image
    As usual, drug up your patient with a few shots of good old Deathwish Whiskey.
  2. image
    Use the Snips to cut the old bandages off the patient's leg.
  3. image
    Use the Scalpel and cut open the patient's first 'boil'.
  4. image
    Use the Forceps to pinch the maggots inside his leg.
    image
    One of the maggots will spray onto the screen (your face). Yech.
  5. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to wipe the remains of the larvae.
  6. image
    Use the Scalpel to open the second boil.
    image
    Pus will spray onto the screen again, at which you will move a hand up to wipe it off, along with the maggot's guts earlier. If you notice closely enough, you'll see blood on your fingers
  7. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to wipe the excess pus off.
  8. image
    Use the Syringe to extract the remaining pus in the second boil.
  9. image
    Bandage the guy's leg. This is where it gets interesting:
    image
    Just as the second wrap of the bandage is done, you'll hear a soft whizzing sound...
  10. image
    Would you like to live? Yes
    image
    Then prove it.
    No
    image
    Surgery failed.
Surgery #4 (Self Rescue) - Then Prove It.
image
  1. image
    Dull your pain by drinking your Deathwish Whiskey.
  2. image
    I have a will to live.
    image
    Keep tapping the spacebar with your free hand. If you have only one hand, then use a foot and keep tapping the spacebar. Use your other hand to do the surgery.
  3. image
    Bandage your leg.
  4. image
    Use the Saw.
  5. image
    Click the Saw on your leg once, then let go of the mouse button. Keep moving the saw left to right (preferrably from one end of the screen to the other) until you watch yourself moving your amputated leg while screaming in agony. You're done.
Achievements:
image
  • Apprentice
    image
    Complete Surgery #1.
  • Brain Surgeon
    image
    Complete Surgery #2.
  • Infection
    image
    Complete Surgery #3.
  • Master Surgeon
    image
    Complete Surgery #4.
  • Take the Pain
    image
    Complete Surgery when patient's lifeline is under 5. Usually achievable in Surgery #4.
  • Good Sport
    image
    Hit 100% Will To Live once in Surgery #4.
  • Town Drunk
    image
    In any surgery, when patient's Drunkeness meter is full, keep giving Whiskey.
  • Easter Egg
    image
    On title screen, click on the number 2 in the title Dark Cut 2. What the spoiler is:
    image
    Author's very first complete flash animation made in 2002

Comments (may contain spoilers)

Reading your review, this sounds interesting. I just hope I can stand the gores *gulp*

In the first game, it seems to get stuck at the part where you

image
aim the stake on the vampire.
It just keeps rocking back and forth, with nothing telling you what to click on or what key to press. Am I missing something?

for the vampire

image
try using your space bar

Use the space bar to aim while it is in the dotted area.

I got stuck on the vampire staking too. After checking here, I then messed up on the axe, for some reason it didn't work and so ended my game. *frown*

The second one I kept running out of time. No matter how fast I moved.

Great games though.

For the second game

image
more whiskey! The more you give them, the slower the time drains.

I really liked the first one, but Dark Cut 2 was so loud sometimes, it was actually annoying to play.

I still like the imagination used with the injuries though.

Yeah, I found Dark Cut 2 to almost be impossibly too fast. Many times I had to play the first level about 10 times to get through it, mainly because of the cumbersome tool selection interface (sometimes tool wouldn't select, aiming improperly, etc). I think I gave up on that game by the second level.

Dark Cut 1 was far superior in terms of gameplay... If they could release a third game with the playability of the first and the graphics of the second, I'd be well pleased.

If Dark Cut 2 feels way too fast for you (as if the clock is ticking down too fast), here's a tip:

image
The countdown is not a clock but rather the patient's health. You'll notice that when you get the patient drunk at the beginning their..."drunk" meter goes up. As it drops, their vitals drop quicker and quicker (as they experience more pain). If only there was a way to slow things down... ;)
image
Give them more booze throughout the surgery! Usually the time you waste pouring the drink is worth the time you save.

there's a problem with the game links, links to a "page cannot be found"-esque Armor Games page


just thought i'd let you know ;]


[Edit: I'm not having the same trouble, SAM. All links are working as expected. -Jay]

Where is the

image
Beaker

in level 2?

I played the first a while ago, but not the second. No anesthetic, no real sterilization; these games don't even give the option of faith healing for extra assistance like they do in Trauma Center.

These games are scarier because they're set in the past and actually show all the bodily fluids leaking out. Maybe next there'll be a game that has Phoenix Wright in the time of witch trials. (I'd play that)

Dark Cut 1 is so much easier compared to 2. It took me forever to beat the second level. Level 3 was extremely easy. And now level four is the toughy :(

Hooba:

image
The beaker is the same thing as the alchohol

Now, how do you get the Achievements of Town Drunk or Easter Egg? I finished with all the others but those two.

Unable to get to either game?

Receiving this error: Ooops! We can't find that!

???

I've played both games, and they're both pretty awesome. A bug in Dark Cut 2 doesn't let me finish the game. In the level where

image
you have to cut off you own leg

The saw tool freezes. I can use other tools, but I have to use the saw to advance, and the saw is stuck in my leg. :(

For Town Drunk:

image
just keep giving them full glasses of wisky(FULL GLASSES)

Easter Egg:
image
To get this one, on the title page click the 2 in Dark Cut 2

Another problem in DC 2 is that the health is just a timer. If you do something wrong, no penalty.

Erbin, the same thing is happening to me, even after several reloads. I considered playing the whole thing through again on a different browser, but, considering the fourth level appears to be the last, I don't think it's worth it.

Incidentally, does anyone know what happens if you click the "No" option?

In Dark Cut 1, how do you use the saw? It says I should use the arrow keys, I press the arrow keys but nothing happened :(

Erbin: I thought it was a bug, too but I did it again and just kept on hacking away -- eventually it finishes. I refilled the space bar/will to live bar about 4 times (to the top), and sawed all in between. Also keep in mind the white arrow directions that you get; and after that, I just sawed frantically back and forth...lol...you'll know when you get it right.

Jojo - I think there's a bug with the link, because it won't work for me either.

But I think it's working on Armorgames.com, if you want to try there. Link

As for the comparisons between Dark Cut 1 and Dark Cut 2:

image
Pros for 1: Simple to play. Get to cut off a vampire's head. Nicely paced. Nice, subtle music. Extremely inventive levels! Cons for 1: Perhaps a bit too stringent on the "wrong" moves? Extremely hard to cut off the vampire's head. Graphics not as good as 2. Too short! Pros for 2: AMAZING graphics. Wonderful music. Cool plot twist near the end! No penalizing for wrong moves! And the achievements, while somewhat difficult to obtain, makes it a bit more fun. :) Inventive levels are also a plus. Cons for 2: Clumsy toolbar. Drunkeness meter, while a good idea, was not that helpful to gameplay, particularly when you had to waste ten seconds getting the patient completely drunk. A little hard to do some of the tasks (such as the syringe, which took me FOREVER!). (Nearly) impossible "will to live" spacebar thing, which I still haven't beaten. :(

These are all my opinion, however, so you can just ignore me. :)

Lizard - If you click "no" after level three, you just die and have to restart level three again. :)

(Sorry for double-posting, Jay, but it seems it cut off my comment to Lizard at the very top. :( Forgive me!)

There shouldn't be any more issues with the links. The reason for the problems earlier was due to Armor Games' switching over to a brand new site, layout and format, and many of their internal URLs have changed.

The games linked to above are now hosted here at Casual Gameplay.

We have no policy against double posting. Ooops, there I just did it, too(!) :o

No worries. ^_^

Finished Dark Cut 1, I can still bare the blood splatters. But the second, now this is different. It's as if I can feel the pain of alcohol burning my own wound, and it made my heart beat at double pace!

The saw isnt working.

If the saw isn't working, I recommend exiting the game window and reloading the game. Since the game automatically saves, you can pick to begin on the 4th level. It worked for me.

In the first game, I get stuck at the saw. It doesn't want to move. I have tried holding down the arrow keys and tapping them, it doesn't budge. Any help?

How do you get the good sport achievement? I have everything else.

that's weird, the version of Dark Cut released at newgrounds had absolutely no bugs, but now it's getting stuck on the saw at the first level?

For me, I got stuck when you had to press the space bar, as it did nothing!

I forgot to mention that it was Dark Cut 2 that had the space bar not work, not Dark Cut.

EMDF - I don't know why it would be any different, but I just grabbed the version from Newgrounds and replaced the one linked above with it. Let me know if that works any differently for you.

EMDF,
I have the same problem where my spacebar doesnt seem to do anything. Ive even tried other keys just in case and still nothing. very irritating.

EMDF and Dosadi,
I was having the same problem. I updated my Flash Player and the keyboard worked in Dark Cut and Dark Cut 2.

Of course, that was going to be my next suggestion. :p

(No really, it was. :o)

Jay, before I re-checked this page, I played (and completed) the one from newgrounds, so my guess is that it should work. I didn't know there was a new version of flash player out, but I'll update it tomorrow

I've having problems

image
using the saw on my leg
in DC2 It seemed to work at first by then just flops around at the bottom not hitting what I though should be it's mark at all. Any suggestions?

my only problem with this game are those banners on the side. i keep clicking accidentally on them!

The last part of dark cut 2 is impossible. There is absolutely no way i can bang that space key fast enough and do the other things too. Maybe i'm just not coordinated enough...

On level 3, when I try to cut off the dead flesh, it does not come off, no matter where I click. I have been using the "snips", so if I am using the wrong tool or anyone knows what I am doing wrong, that would be great.

I can't figure out how to use the mouse to make the hammer hit in dc1. any help?

Walkthrough for Dark Cut 2:

image
Surgery #1 (Minie Ball Puncture Wound)
image
  1. image
    Give the guy a few shots of Deathwish Whiskey - Premium Scotch Whiskey (45% alcohol in volume, Since 1699).
  2. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to clean the wound.
  3. image
    Purify the wound with the Medical Alcohol. Warning:
    image
    Pouring Medical Alcohol on his wound reduces his lifeline by 10.
  4. image
    Gently open the wound with the Forceps.
  5. image
    Carefully remove the bullet from the wound with the Forceps.
  6. image
    Use the Suture Needle to sew up the wound. Do it in a criss-cross pattern.
  7. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to clean the wound again.
  8. image
    Purify the wound with the Medical Alcohol again. Remember, pouring Medical Alcohol on the wound reduces his lifeline by 10.
  9. image
    Bandage his arm. You're done. How to do it:
    image
    A dial will appear in the top right corner of the screen. Hold down your mouse button on it and spin it in the counter-clockwise direction until you see his arm bandaged up.
Surgery #2 (Shrapnel To The Forehead)
image
  1. image
    Give the guy a few shots of Deathwish Whiskey to dull the pain.
  2. image
    Dry and clean the wound with the Sponging Rag.
  3. image
    Use the Scalpel to cut the major wound for extraction.
  4. image
    Use the Forceps to pry open the wound.
  5. image
    Open the second layer of skin with the Forceps.
  6. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to apply pressure to the wound and soak up the blood.
  7. image
    Remove the piece of shrapnel with the Forceps. Warning:
    image
    Do not remove the shrapnel by dragging it to the left. It is similar to taking the shrapnel piece and jamming it further into his skull. You will fail the surgery if you do this.
  8. image
    Place the shrapnel onto the tray.
  9. image
    Slide the skull fragment back into place with the Forceps.
  10. image
    Grab the skin graft with the Forceps.
  11. image
    Place the skin graft onto the exposed skull bone.
  12. image
    Use the Hot Iron to fuse the skin into place.
  13. image
    Use the cotton from the Bandages to pack the wound.
  14. image
    Grab the leather wrap with the Forceps.
  15. image
    Put the leather wrap over the wound.
  16. image
    Use the Suture Needle and sew the leather wrap into the flesh (in a clockwise direction).
  17. image
    Pour the Medical Alcohol onto the deeper cuts. Thankfully, this patient does not lose any points of his lifeline (tougher, probably?).
  18. image
    Pour wax from the beaker (Automatically changed from Medical Alcohol to Wax) onto the wounds. You're done.
Surgery #3 (Infection In The Leg)
image
  1. image
    As usual, drug up your patient with a few shots of good old Deathwish Whiskey.
  2. image
    Use the Snips to cut the old bandages off the patient's leg.
  3. image
    Use the Scalpel and cut open the patient's first 'boil'.
  4. image
    Use the Forceps to pinch the maggots inside his leg.
    image
    One of the maggots will spray onto the screen (your face). Yech.
  5. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to wipe the remains of the larvae.
  6. image
    Use the Scalpel to open the second boil.
    image
    Pus will spray onto the screen again, at which you will move a hand up to wipe it off, along with the maggot's guts earlier. If you notice closely enough, you'll see blood on your fingers
  7. image
    Use the Sponging Rag to wipe the excess pus off.
  8. image
    Use the Syringe to extract the remaining pus in the second boil.
  9. image
    Bandage the guy's leg. This is where it gets interesting:
    image
    Just as the second wrap of the bandage is done, you'll hear a soft whizzing sound...
  10. image
    Would you like to live? Yes
    image
    Then prove it.
    No
    image
    Surgery failed.
Surgery #4 (Self Rescue) - Then Prove It.
image
  1. image
    Dull your pain by drinking your Deathwish Whiskey.
  2. image
    I have a will to live.
    image
    Keep tapping the spacebar with your free hand. If you have only one hand, then use a foot and keep tapping the spacebar. Use your other hand to do the surgery.
  3. image
    Bandage your leg.
  4. image
    Use the Saw.
  5. image
    Click the Saw on your leg once, then let go of the mouse button. Keep moving the saw left to right (preferrably from one end of the screen to the other) until you watch yourself moving your amputated leg while screaming in agony. You're done.
Achievements:
image
  • Apprentice
    image
    Complete Surgery #1.
  • Brain Surgeon
    image
    Complete Surgery #2.
  • Infection
    image
    Complete Surgery #3.
  • Master Surgeon
    image
    Complete Surgery #4.
  • Take the Pain
    image
    Complete Surgery when patient's lifeline is under 5. Usually achievable in Surgery #4.
  • Good Sport
    image
    Hit 100% Will To Live once in Surgery #4.
  • Town Drunk
    image
    In any surgery, when patient's Drunkeness meter is full, keep giving Whiskey.
  • Easter Egg
    image
    On title screen, click on the number 2 in the title Dark Cut 2. What the spoiler is:
    image
    Author's very first complete flash animation made in 2002

Walkthrough for Dark Cut:

Surgery #1 (Getting the Captain Ready)

  1. image
    Cut off the tails on the arrow. Warning:
    image
    If you do not start at the beginning star, your patient's lifeline will decrease by 10.
  2. image
    Move the saw back and forth with your arrow keys (left and right). Be careful as running the saw off the entire arrow each time would result in the patient's lifeline being reduced by 5.
  3. image
    Clean the wound with the swab.
  4. image
    Get a solid hit for 3 times with the mallet. Best to hit at Hard. Warning:
    image
    Each time you hit the arrow, it reduces the patient's lifeline by 10.
  5. image
    Extract the arrow by alternating between your left and right arrow keys. Warning:
    image
    As the arrow is being removed, the patient's lifeline will slowly decrease by 1 each time.
  6. image
    Replant the human tissue. Warning:
    image
    If you miss the spot, your patient's lifeline will be reduced by 10.
  7. image
    Burn the flesh back on with the hot iron. You're done. Warning #1:
    image
    As you go through each star, patient's lifeline will decrease by 1.
    Warning #2:
    image
    If you do not start from the beginning star, your patient's lifeline will decrease by 10.
    Warning #3:
    image
    If you do not complete the entire loop with the hot iron, you will have to start the loop all over again. Watch your patient's lifeline.
Surgery #2 (Healing the Bubonic Plague)
  1. image
    Use the swab to scrub the boils.
  2. image
    Pour vinegar over the boils.
  3. image
    Pour Rose Water over the boils.
  4. image
    Split open all the boils. Warning:
    image
    Start from one end of the stars each time, or your patient's lifeline will decrease by 10.
  5. image
    Place the leeches on the boils (don't they look like squiggly black beans?). Warning:
    image
    If you miss the spot, your patient's lifeline will decrease by 10.
  6. image
    Extract the pus by alternating your left and right arrow keys. Warning:
    image
    If you click on your mouse instead of tapping your arrow keys, your patient's lifeline will decrease by 10.
  7. image
    Cut open the veins to clear passageways. Warning:
    image
    Cutting in the middle will reduce your patient's lifeline by 10. Also remember that you have to cut it entirely or you will have to start all over again.
  8. image
    Remove the leeches and place them on the tray.
  9. image
    Restitch the skin with a criss-cross pattern. Warning #1:
    image
    If you do not start at one end, your patient will suffer a penalty of 10 from his lifeline.
    Warning #2:
    image
    If you do not perform it in a criss-cross pattern, patient's lifeline will decrease by 10 and you will need to start the stitching over again.
  10. image
    Use the swab to scrub the entire infected area. You're done.
Surgery #3 (Side Job - Vampire Killer)
  1. image
    Place the religious symbol where it belongs.(why not just call it a CROSS?) Warning:
    image
    Penalty of 10 to your lifeline if you don't place it in properly.
  2. image
    Aim the stake. How to do it:
    image
    When it is upright, tap the spacebar.
  3. image
    Pound the stake in. Three times should do it. Warning:
    image
    If you miss at Hard, your lifeline will decrease by 10.
  4. image
    Split open the side of the vampire. Warning:
    image
    If you do not open it from one end to another, you will suffer a penalty of 10 from your lifeline.
  5. image
    Implant the garlic into the wound. Warning:
    image
    If you miss the spot, your lifeline will decrease by 10.
  6. image
    Stitch up the wound. Warning:
    image
    Stitching from another place other than the beginning, or not in a criss-cross pattern will make you suffer a penalty of 10 from your lifeline.
  7. image
    Mark the line to swing your axe onto. Don't worry, the line doesn't have to be straight. Just as long as it's over the stars. Warning:
    image
    Mark the line from one end to another, or you suffer a penalty of 10 from your lifeline.
  8. image
    Get a solid hit (Succeed on Hard 3 times). You're done. Warning:
    image
    If you miss at Hard, you will suffer a penalty of 10 from your lifeline.

Surgery 1 doesnt work


[Edit: Oh? How come? What exactly is the issue? -Jay]

God so easy number 2 i have every thing before i looked at this site dam easy make sure when you use the saw go right to the end of the saw to the begging

for dark cut 2, level 2, i can't slide the skull fragment back. i'm stuck there. i had the forceps and clickede on the star, clicked everywhere, clicked and held everywhere. i tried what i could. help.

i didn't have trouble with the skull fragment during previous attempts, it suddenly didn't want to move on my third attempt.

I wonder who did the music in Dark Cut 1? (Odd remark, I'm sure, but I liked it.)

How do u get the take the pain achievment? if i get that iv got all of them

......................................................

Does anyone know the melody in Dark Cut 1? Is it made for the game or I could find it somewhere? Can someone help? I think the music is good and mostly fit for such an atmosphere.

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