The Long Dark

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 484 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 279 out of 484
  2. Mixed: 92 out of 484
  3. Negative: 113 out of 484

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  1. Boras
    Aug 3, 2017
    10
    WINTERMUTE UPDATE: ok, 3 years of waiting for the story mode. The story is fine, at least it seems. What has been done is remarkable. But....
    but....bugs, glitches, wolves popping out of nothing, invisible wolves, wolves running madly, stupid checkpoints, story vicious circles that force you to start over again...and above all, Italian language (a feature promised in early access)    WINTERMUTE UPDATE: ok, 3 years of waiting for the story mode. The story is fine, at least it seems. What has been done is remarkable. But....
    but....bugs, glitches, wolves popping out of nothing, invisible wolves, wolves running madly, stupid checkpoints, story vicious circles that force you to start over again...and above all, Italian language (a feature promised in early access) suddenly disappeared.

    I love this game, seriously, but this way of managing the game is by an amateur at best
    VOTE 3 to Hinterland, what the hell are you doing?

    ********
    I played this game for 50 hours so far... and yet there is so much to be explored! the Game has huge potential, but now it is crucial to see toward which direction it will go.
    I have two different approaches to this game:

    1) Pure Survival Experience: in this aspect, the game is wonderful, no objective, no ultimate explanation of what happened, no ending. It's just you, alone, in the wilderness.
    Walking quietly in the snow, you look for animal tracks, collecting herbs and mushrooms, you hear, you see, you feel the environment.
    and while playing you start thinking: "it's getting late, better turn back and my way home, a shelter, a cave, anything to protect you from wind and snow...and you light a campfire, the night is dark and cold, wolves are howling, minutes, hours passing, pure relaxation.

    2) Survival with a scope: after some days of survival and exploration, you start feeling there is something wrong in there, too many corpses, all human activity ceased, what happened here? Surviving isn't enough, you start feeling the urge to explore and understand, you have a scope, there is an end to the game (apart from dying of course).

    In the end, what can I say, I love Sandbox mode, no clue, no objective, just you and nature. Very mature and relaxing.
    On the other side, what will be the Story mode? will it be another among countless catastrophic survival game that ends to be meaningless and lose their appeal after few game hours?

    I hope the developers keep improving the first aspect of the game, Nature, its mechanics, the environment, everything that is moving around you. Story maybe an intriguing part of the game, but definitely, this game is great for the atmosphere and the amazing details of the environment, wind, tracks, sounds, calories, cold, dehydration...

    I hope the game will improve more and more on this side    … Expand
  2. Isca
    Nov 26, 2015
    10
    A truly amazing gaming experience.

    With an emphasis on atmosphere and exploration, Hinterland have beautifully crafted a brilliant game, although at the moment still in beta, and with just a sandbox mode (Nov 2015). It is essentially a game of balance. You need to gather resources, and be able to defend yourself at all times, from wolves, bears, the extreme cold, starvation,    A truly amazing gaming experience.

    With an emphasis on atmosphere and exploration, Hinterland have beautifully crafted a brilliant game, although at the moment still in beta, and with just a sandbox mode (Nov 2015).

    It is essentially a game of balance. You need to gather resources, and be able to defend yourself at all times, from wolves, bears, the extreme cold, starvation, dehydration, fatigue, dysentery, infection and falls.

    It taps into the innermost fears most have, fear of the dark, the unknown, vulnerability, loneliness and, of course, death. It does so in the most innocuous ways, leaving you always thinking 2 steps ahead/behind, and always looking over your shoulder. But make no mistake, unless you get mauled by a bear while resting in your sleeping bag, this isn't a jump-scare fest. The scares are slow burning, realistic and ever-present.

    In sandbox mode, there are currently limited areas to explore, but any new game takes quite a while to succumb to the inevitable, long dark. My record life span is 177 (in-game) days ... but I am working on that. I normally put aside two weeks to play, a few hours each evening.

    What I love most about this game is the crisply defined atmosphere. The weather sound effects in particular are amazing, whether indoors or outdoors, it always feels real. The soundscape makes up for the lack of variety in visible fauna, as they are always there... in the background.

    There are some downsides and bugs, which will undoubtedly be fixed/improved in time, but the game, even in beta is incredibly stable, or fixed very quickly by the developers when problems are raised.

    This review will need to be deleted when the full game is released, because it will probably be a completely different experience than it is at present, with a story, characters and an end game. It could well be the best game of 2016, and will no doubt win huge acclaim and awards.

    For now, this is one of the best games I have played in a long time. In an age where gamers are ever increasingly taken for mugs, (day 1 DLC anyone?) this is a refreshing change, and a hugely entertaining experience.    … Expand
  3. GhostSniper189
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    The Long Dark, so far, is an amazing survival game. Survival games have been all about zombies or similar creatures, never the pure realistic struggle against nature. That's where The Long Dark comes in. It's not a friendly game despite it's soft art style, you will starve to death, freeze to death or die to exhaustion (not to mention wolves). It uses this kind of cell shading graphics yetThe Long Dark, so far, is an amazing survival game. Survival games have been all about zombies or similar creatures, never the pure realistic struggle against nature. That's where The Long Dark comes in. It's not a friendly game despite it's soft art style, you will starve to death, freeze to death or die to exhaustion (not to mention wolves). It uses this kind of cell shading graphics yet it impresses for how much it feels real. The sense of clinging to life is always present when you constantly find new places, train tracks, trailers, a dam, makes you hold on to hope, for a better day tomorrow. It may sound easy, but believe me - it's not. There are a lot of different ways of dying and you never know what will kill you this time, so the game itself makes you feel nervous...… Expand
  4. Nemomagic
    Jan 9, 2016
    10
    This is absolutely amazing. Like Alice in rabbit's hole i felt inside. Game made my heart beat, like a gong! It awakens your nature inside and force you to made your critical decisions and mistakes. One to one, tet-a-tet with mother Nature is unbelievable experience! No zombies at all, no multiplayer and all it's negative, it's just your life, choose: be alive or be dead. Despite fact thatThis is absolutely amazing. Like Alice in rabbit's hole i felt inside. Game made my heart beat, like a gong! It awakens your nature inside and force you to made your critical decisions and mistakes. One to one, tet-a-tet with mother Nature is unbelievable experience! No zombies at all, no multiplayer and all it's negative, it's just your life, choose: be alive or be dead. Despite fact that this is alfa, i didn't find any (!) bugs. Graphic is special, very stylish, I love it!. If you like nature - this game is definitely for you. I am siberian, so winter is my passion and this miracle gives me possibilities to live in my passion in many ways!
    I am sad only about one thing - that I can not put you 20 score here!    … Expand
  5. Juunas_Fin
    Oct 9, 2015
    10
    The Long Dark, legendary game. Awesome graphics, if someone says "well they are a bit cartoon stylish" well so is borderlands and it does not make the game bad by any means. Environment, 3 large maps which are connected by secret routes and each of which contains some sort of hidden place "Easter egg". Starting difficulty is a great thing, you can choose your starting items and nature'sThe Long Dark, legendary game. Awesome graphics, if someone says "well they are a bit cartoon stylish" well so is borderlands and it does not make the game bad by any means. Environment, 3 large maps which are connected by secret routes and each of which contains some sort of hidden place "Easter egg". Starting difficulty is a great thing, you can choose your starting items and nature's behavior by setting the difficulty you wish to have. Cold nights, warm days is bonus factor and the chance of snowstorm or fog- Awesome.
    Best survival game in a long time, can't wait for story game play!
    [My way of composing may look interesting but check my name and you will understand]    … Expand
  6. Frank70
    Feb 12, 2016
    10
    The time i died ...After about 250 days of surviving ( for a bad strike of misfortunes ), was the most painful death of all my video games life . If they nail the story mode it will be an awesome game . And please i will like a The Long Dark 2 with The Vanishing of Ethan Carter graphic !!
  7. alonesniper
    Jun 5, 2016
    10
    just keep calm and play the best early access that ever made !
    the long dark is just great and it getting better every update.
    it's not about zombie or nuclear war or ....
    just you and mother nature !!!!!
  8. Zapador
    Oct 8, 2016
    10
    Is this a computer game or a work of art?
    Whatever it is, it is so in a brilliant way. The experience is truly immersive, the scenic views are like beautiful paintings and the atmosphere takes you in all the way.
    The Long Dark is by far the best survival game out there even though it features no zombies.
  9. Nebukarr
    Aug 23, 2017
    10
    Append: A few weeks ago, a tremendous story mode was released. The first chapters play in the well-tested surroundings of the sandbox mode, but you will face interesting characters and a very exciting plot. With this, I can overlook some minor bugs and UI issues at the moment. Because I think, The Long Dark will be a very sound and professional product in the end.

    The Long Dark is    Append: A few weeks ago, a tremendous story mode was released. The first chapters play in the well-tested surroundings of the sandbox mode, but you will face interesting characters and a very exciting plot. With this, I can overlook some minor bugs and UI issues at the moment. Because I think, The Long Dark will be a very sound and professional product in the end.

    The Long Dark is already on a very, very high level - even in early access.
    Why? Because of the incredible amount of realistic details, such as

    + The weight you can wear depends on the fatigue of your character
    + If you walk up the wind, you are slower and need more endurance
    + The wind force has an influence on your felt temperature
    + After a snowstorm, many new branches are available
    + If you eat salt cracker, you get thirsty

    But that's not all. Further arguments:

    + A convincing I am-completely-alone-atmosphere
    + Well thought-out regions with many interesting areas
    + Food is scarce, ammunition even scarcer (collect arrows!)
    + Skill-system (you'll get better in making fire etc.)
    + Highly incentive ( "Do I survive the next day?")

    The graphics have their own comic-like style. Thanks to Unity Engine, it is very low on hardware resources.
    However, the setting is very impressing. If you are sitting in a hut and the winter wind blows outside, the fireplace flickers inside ... these are moments that only a few games can give you! I also like how the character expresses his emotions. He will integrate into what is happening, for example, when he groans from exhaustion.

    Conclusion: A very high-quality survival simulator with very realistic requirements. Although there are only bears and wolves as opponents, the game has quite its creepy moments.    … Expand
  10. Oh_Green
    Apr 9, 2017
    10
    Like one of THE best survival games ever. And it's even interesting before the story mode is completed. Played it at my friend's pc. But eventually decided to purchase for myself. Lot's of love)
  11. michaelyork777
    Aug 8, 2017
    10
    I cannot really find fault with this game at all, the full release is out, and there are a few bugs which
    the developers are promptly handling. This is not only a consummate survival game, it is a Life Lesson Game, this game will expose your greed, force you to plan in advance, and challenge your critical thinking skills. The artwork is magnificent, the music scores are perfect, and the    I cannot really find fault with this game at all, the full release is out, and there are a few bugs which
    the developers are promptly handling. This is not only a consummate survival game, it is a Life Lesson Game, this game will expose your greed, force you to plan in advance, and challenge your critical thinking skills. The artwork is magnificent, the music scores are perfect, and the game mechanics are outstanding. I have over 2000 hours in the game, and I only want to play more,
    in a time where most games are about kill em all and let God sort it out, this game is pensively personal, quietly moving, and increasingly difficult. When played on Interloper mode, the challenge to stay alive, with Permadeath always waiting to end all your hard labor, makes even the most trivial mistake a game ending defeat. With the Story Mode, RPG, element in place, Hinterland has given the new player a way to learn the subtleties of the game while giving experienced players the information that they have been wanting to know about for years. In my opinion this game is a
    Must Have!!    … Expand
  12. RafaelBarrera
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Best survival game I ever played. Amazing atmosphere. It's just an experience to play it.
  13. Zhepyr
    Jun 26, 2018
    10
    esto es hermoso solo puedo decir que pasar un día es todo un reto y lo mejor es que recibe actualizaciones muy seguido eso es bueno y es divertido y todo muy bien pensado.
  14. Hawfar
    Nov 9, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this game, i played about 200 hours and I can't stop, this game is very addictive, please we need the next chapter. this is a real survivor game.… Expand
  15. D4nilf
    Jun 29, 2020
    10
    Очень качественная игра про выживание. Интересная рисовка. Несколько режимов. Неплохой сюжет. Одна из самых атмосферных игр в которые я играл. Зимний холодок прямо чувствуется во время всего геймплея.
  16. grvk76
    Jan 22, 2019
    10
    Have been waiting for such a game a long long time. Played it since 0.275 thru its development til the final version. Survival sandbox is amazing, especially if you play it on Interloper level. after the virtual freedom of sand-boxing somewhat didn`t like much the story mode, but its not a reason to fault the game, especially after the Redux.
    one of the best developers team in terms of    Have been waiting for such a game a long long time. Played it since 0.275 thru its development til the final version. Survival sandbox is amazing, especially if you play it on Interloper level. after the virtual freedom of sand-boxing somewhat didn`t like much the story mode, but its not a reason to fault the game, especially after the Redux.
    one of the best developers team in terms of actually listening to the players and fixing faults. to redo the story mode after the original game release into improved Redux version - respect for that, and they still work actively on improvements. its survival mode i would rate 12/10 :))    … Expand
  17. Evandre
    Feb 6, 2019
    10
    An amazing survival game, that has a really singular art style which some like, some don't, but can't be denied it's soothing effect and cold beauty. The long dark is one of the few games that can offer either a real challenge or a casual playing session. Game mechanics are simple yet blend in perfectly in the game's atmosphere. Story mode's development is a bit slow, but the result isAn amazing survival game, that has a really singular art style which some like, some don't, but can't be denied it's soothing effect and cold beauty. The long dark is one of the few games that can offer either a real challenge or a casual playing session. Game mechanics are simple yet blend in perfectly in the game's atmosphere. Story mode's development is a bit slow, but the result is truly worth it. And the best part is that the game continues to get updates regularly.… Expand
  18. Psiraphim
    Mar 21, 2019
    10
    Отличная игры. Прекрасная атмосфера одиночества и слабости перед природой. Очень симпатичная картинка. Провел не мало времени просто путешествуя по огромному погибшему, питаясь последними консервами и шоколадками и философствуя о судьбах мира.Отличная игры. Прекрасная атмосфера одиночества и слабости перед природой. Очень симпатичная картинка. Провел не мало времени просто путешествуя по огромному погибшему, питаясь последними консервами и шоколадками и философствуя о судьбах мира.
  19. UltimateGamer28
    Apr 11, 2019
    10
    The Long Dark is best survival game ever i love this soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much
  20. MagioM
    Aug 6, 2020
    10
    I haven't enjoyed a game so much in a very long time. Art design is mesmerizing, music flawless and the fact we get continuous updates even in 2020 it means that somebody still cares about this work of art. I enjoy the events as well and it keeps bringing me back to the game. I enjoyed all my 150+ hours (so far ) of game time. Is my favorite survival game with you vs nature I ever played.I haven't enjoyed a game so much in a very long time. Art design is mesmerizing, music flawless and the fact we get continuous updates even in 2020 it means that somebody still cares about this work of art. I enjoy the events as well and it keeps bringing me back to the game. I enjoyed all my 150+ hours (so far ) of game time. Is my favorite survival game with you vs nature I ever played. I'm still waiting for more quests lines Hinterland :)… Expand
  21. bar0yka
    Nov 6, 2022
    10
    aşırı güzel bi atmosferi var canadanın soğuğunu yaz sıcağında bile hissettirebilen bir oyun ayrıca mekanikler de iyi seviyede sıkılmadan 50 saat gömülür.
  22. FlenzyFL
    Nov 16, 2021
    10
    "The Long Dark is a survival game, one of many some will say, but with its interesting story and a touch of mystery, we’ve got a very good game before us. H
  23. radzewdf23
    Jan 7, 2021
    10
    Amazing the game has a feeling of melancholy and it has a beautiful story that has nothin left to be desired
  24. HamsiliPilav
    May 8, 2021
    10
    Please don't just play the story mode. Sandbox is the part that the game becomes a masterpiece.
  25. dino2
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    one of the best games and survival games i have ever played. it is very realistic and deep. story mod is good too. now that episode 4 is out i would say that, it was mayby the best story mode episode yet.
    the maps are good deisgned and made. the graphics are good for the style.
    and the setting what happend in this game like why everything is cold is very cool( that was not a spoiler).    one of the best games and survival games i have ever played. it is very realistic and deep. story mod is good too. now that episode 4 is out i would say that, it was mayby the best story mode episode yet.
    the maps are good deisgned and made. the graphics are good for the style.
    and the setting what happend in this game like why everything is cold is very cool( that was not a spoiler).
    music in the game are very good and nice. the menus in game are cool setted up in the inventory and ur notebook and all those things. well thats it i think.    … Expand
  26. inmirt
    Jan 8, 2022
    10
    игра топ за свои деньги что только стоит режим выживания наиграл 62,2 чеса в стиме это мало ( НО так-же там есть сюжет еароч игра топ
  27. Snoop_68
    Jun 9, 2022
    10
    This is really complete, is a master of piece. You should try it now, because is the best **** that I have ever played. Thanks for reading.
  28. Castleee
    Jul 19, 2022
    10
    best survival game on the world.just a problem is the story is so slow.....
  29. Underfeels
    Jan 28, 2023
    10
    Great story, great surviving exp all the wildlife and being trapped by the snow it feels peaceful
  30. Quazder
    Aug 22, 2023
    10
    Ideal game for podcast listening. Very atmospheric. Also hard and you cant just kill everyone, and overall nice survival game
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Shacknews
    Oct 13, 2021
    90
    The Quiet Apocalypse isn’t without problems, but Hinterland's commitment to adding new content, while refining the experience over the years, has positioned The Long Dark at the top of the survival genre’s pecking order. The Long Dark is a must-play for anyone who is even remotely intrigued by it.
    Read full review
  2. Eurogamer Italy
    Oct 20, 2017
    70
    The Long Dark is a masterful survival game that manages to craft a rich and emotional experience but lacks in providing objectives and narrative hooks to keep the game interesting and meaningful.
    Read full review
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 12, 2017
    80
    The Long Dark is a survival game, one of many some will say, but with its interesting story and a touch of mystery, we’ve got a very good game before us.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »