DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger vs Tales of Spark
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Tales of Spark wins 9 of 12 head-to-head metrics. Tales of Spark is $2.25 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger | Tales of Spark |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Wait for Sale × Maybe | 40 | 60 |
| Quality | 52 | 61 |
| Value | 49 | 70 |
| Popularity | 13 | 44 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $11.27 | $9.02 |
| Steam Review Score | 100% positive | 75.3% positive |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger
Side by side over time
DarkMatter: The Strange MessengerTales of Spark
Details and requirements
| Item | DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger | Tales of Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | December 12, 2023 | February 4, 2024 |
| Developers | Studio215 | Ice and Fire Isle Studio |
| Publishers | Studio215 | Ice and Fire Isle Studio |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| OS (minimum) | Windows 10 64bit | Windows7/Windows8/Windows10 |
| Processor (minimum) | i5+ | Intel Core i5-11600K, 3.9 GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 3.7 GHz |
| Memory (minimum) | 16 GB RAM | 6 GB RAM |
| Storage (minimum) | 5 GB available space | 6 GB available space |
| Sound Card (minimum) | YES | — |
| Graphics (minimum) | — | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060, 6 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580, 6 GB |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger or Tales of Spark?
Tales of Spark won the comparison against DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is DarkMatter: The Strange Messenger worth buying over Tales of Spark?
Based on the metrics, Tales of Spark won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. Tales of Spark currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 04:30 PM UTC