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Route 2 of 3Darkness Route — Abstracting in the Dark
Stay in an unlit area long enough and you abstract. Darkness is the most reliable route in Experience Abstraction because it needs nothing from anyone else — just you and a shadow.
How darkness works
The map's lighting is fixed: bright social hubs, dim transitional corridors, and genuinely dark pockets. Standing in the dark builds abstraction progress continuously; stepping back into light interrupts it. The game publishes no exact countdown — the on-screen distortion is your progress indicator, and the longer you stay, the stronger it gets.
Using it on purpose
- Find a dark pocket — the locations guide lists the darkest reliable spots.
- Step fully into the unlit area. Half-lit edges are slower; commit to the darkest part.
- Stand still and wait for the distortion to peak.
- To go even faster, pick a dark spot away from the crowd and stack the isolation route on top.
Why darkness catches survivors
Almost every good hiding spot is dark — that is what makes it a hiding spot. Players being chased instinctively duck into shadows to break line of sight, and the game punishes exactly that instinct. If you are surviving, treat darkness as more dangerous than the abstracted players themselves: an abstracted player has to reach you, but the dark starts working on you the second you enter it.
Frequently asked
Does partial shade count as darkness?
Dim transitional areas appear to build progress slower than full darkness, if at all. For a deliberate abstraction, use the darkest spots on the map rather than dim corridors.
Can I outrun the darkness effect by moving through dark areas?
Passing briefly through dark zones during a chase is far less dangerous than lingering. The condition rewards sustained time in the dark, so keep moving toward lit areas.