Darkwood

 Switch
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. Switch Player
    Jun 3, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is a gripping survival horror, but its presentation is too dark for comfort a lot of the time. Players should spend more time being scared than rummaging for resources.
  2. DualShockers
    Jun 2, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is a survival-horror game that does not rely on jump scares to get you encapsulated in its world.
  3. Gameblog.fr
    May 31, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is really not for everyone's hands. Unforgiving and far from being linear, it's above all aimed to gamers who are experienced in the survival genre. The sound design is neat and conveys a real feeling of despair and horror, even if the visuals and the game design in general lack of variety.
  5. FNintendo
    May 31, 2019
    70
    Darkwood has the merit of knowing how to scare its players and keeping them on their toes throughout the whole experience, accompanied by how it allows the player to take decisions during the game. The game suffers some harm from technical issues, however, and its visuals aren't the most stunning, which make it a less enjoyable experience than it could be, while nevertheless demonstrating why it is a decent survival horror title.
  6. NintendoWorldReport
    May 28, 2019
    70
    The unfortunate optimization problems as well as the general gameplay may leave somebody who’s not a fan of survival games disappointed, but people already well acquainted with the genre will probably find it a thrilling and spooky experience if they give it a shot. Darkwood is a game with potential, and I certainly hope the developers take any lessons learned from it and return with the killer horror title they’ve come close to creating.
  7. GameSpace
    Jun 4, 2019
    65
    Darkwood for the Nintendo Switch will certainly scratch the itch of a survival focused gamer. This takes the premise of games like Don't Starve, then takes itself much more seriously and makes it somewhat spookier. The harshness won't appeal to everyone, and the horror themes wear thin before too long, but for the right survivalist, or glutton for punishment, this may be exactly what you were looking for.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 39
  3. Negative: 7 out of 39
  1. Rtheom
    May 22, 2019
    4
    Don't pick this up on Switch yet. They haven't optimized it for the system (or something like that), so it sputters and chugs all over theDon't pick this up on Switch yet. They haven't optimized it for the system (or something like that), so it sputters and chugs all over the place. At some of the locations where you're switching from one area to the next, it can take as long as a minute to load. It makes the game virtually unplayable for any length of time and makes it nearly impossible to react to the monsters properly. Wait for them to get a few patched out before picking this up.… Full Review »
  2. Reed618
    May 26, 2021
    10
    I'm surprised the reviews aren't higher. This is honestly a horror masterpiece. There really aren't many games which actually make you jump atI'm surprised the reviews aren't higher. This is honestly a horror masterpiece. There really aren't many games which actually make you jump at shadows or feel like something is watching you but darkwood nails that feeling perfectly.

    It's essentially a survival game in which you gather resources and you can make some minor improvements to your hideout by barricading windows and doors or refueling the generator. Crafting weapons and other items is important too. Weapon degradation and ammo limitations generally encourage the player to avoid combat where possible.

    Overall the game is quite forgiving though. If you die you lose some of the items in your backpack but the spot where you died is marked on the map so you can often go there and retrieve them. I felt intimidated at first. But while the game is masterful in creating an oppressive atmosphere it's also encouraging. You have a journal telling you where you need to go and dying doesn't have any massive penalty. It's just scary which is ideal and I never feel like i'm losing progress.

    As you explore you'll encounter... some very odd things... and occasionally meet really unique and messed up individuals. Quests involve making morally ambiguous decisions and prove quite memorable. The atmosphere and style of this game is like no other.

    A lot of games have staged chase sequences and jump scares and monsters which are scary because they have messed up faces but darkwood just offers a small world full of terrors for you to explore. Some stuff you'll miss and some of it is random. If you're a horror fan then this is the definition of a must play game. I couldn't recommend it enough.    … Full Review »
  3. Meeleepit
    Oct 11, 2020
    7
    Super stoked about Darkwood. Never heard of this gem of a game. Found this on special in the switch E-store and decided to give it a bash andSuper stoked about Darkwood. Never heard of this gem of a game. Found this on special in the switch E-store and decided to give it a bash and i am literally **** myself around every corner. No jump scares in this title. Whoa, mind blown!… Full Review »
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