The Long Dark

 Xbox One
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Game Informer
    Sep 6, 2017
    73
    With its stellar survival mechanics, The Long Dark makes for a brutal experience that requires patience and micromanaging to fully appreciate. However, it’s brought down by some bugs and a story mode that leaves much to be desired. It’s nonetheless a satisfying test of survival in a gorgeous setting – as long as you can brave the frigid cold.
  2. Generación Xbox
    Jan 14, 2019
    68
    The long dark have a very good game concept, and a great gameplay but many flaws let it down.
  3. Gaming Age
    Jan 2, 2018
    67
    I may be overcompensating the other way a little too hard when I say that it seems like a perfect fit for anyone who likes their games to be challenging. At the same time, tough, given what I saw between very frequent deaths, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a great match for anyone who doesn’t mind dying a bunch.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
38
#38 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 46
  3. Negative: 11 out of 46
  1. thereviewlawman
    Aug 19, 2017
    7
    THE LONG DARK gave me a mixed impression when i played it. I had to use my mind while playing so that to me offered something that is not allTHE LONG DARK gave me a mixed impression when i played it. I had to use my mind while playing so that to me offered something that is not all that common now. The graphics were in a unique style that i had never seen before. As I previously stated, thinking was an important aspect of the game determining whether or not you died or survived. I was always wary of wildlife knowing the sound of a wolf howl could save your life(I learned this the hard way). The game is unforgiving and surviving for more than a couple of hours when starting a game is challenging no matter what difficulty you are playing on.IN THE LONG DARK you will soon know how cruel mother nature can be. You may decide to look for a new home but as soon as are just of sight of your old safe house the wind picks up snow starts falling in droves and you hear the heart piercing howl of a wolf not far from your current position. Chances are you will succumb to the cold, be mauled by the wolf or manage to stumble back to your base and die of hypothermia as you attempt to light a fire. YOU HAVE FADED INTO THE LONG DARK is a phrase you will see or hear often. No matter your skill level i have often thought i was safe only to find how neck deep in peril i actually was.

    Here is a recount of one of my personal experiences. I am stocked up on food and supplies in a barn and i am ready to find a more long term sustainable home. I have no way to hunt but i have a hunting to harvest already dead carcasses. So i set out into the wild ready for anything, or so i thought. While I was so excited about long term survival I began to forget about short about short term survival. The wind was picking up and snow was falling more heavily and steadily. If I was paying more attention i would have noticed I was on the cusp of a blizzard yet I didn't so i played the price in blood. My breathing became more rasp and hoarse and i learned i now had hypothermia. I began to run in the direction of the barn i had set out from throwing all caution to the wind which was now giving me windchill. I almost decided to just give myself over to the elements but low and behold I caught sight of the barn only a hundred feet away. My heart now set on survival i began to shamble towards the barn safety within reach,when i heard the howl. I was now face to face with a wolf caught in a life or death struggle. I heaved the wolf off my and burst inside the barn which consisted of waiting at a loading screen. I was safe or so i thought my arm had been ripped open by the wolf and there was now a risk of infection. Later that day i went to bed with a fire roaring my arm bandaged and antibiotics swallowed.I woke in the middle of the night to find severe infection had set in and i had a very bad case of hypothermia. My vision was blurred and I knew without a shadow of a doubt I would soon be rapping on death's door. I was facing the end so I decided I would face death weapon in hand. I open the door to the outside stepped out and faced the wolf.

    While this game is fun it is more of a required video game taste. There are problems with THE LONG DARK but if you interested in survival i will recommend give this game a try.    … Full Review »
  2. anti_lov
    Nov 4, 2016
    9
    Highly immersive and stylistically slick, The Long Dark is equal parts rewarding, terrifyingly lonely, and challenging. At the onset ofHighly immersive and stylistically slick, The Long Dark is equal parts rewarding, terrifyingly lonely, and challenging. At the onset of entering one of multiple areas of its large frozen sandbox world, you will be pressed to scavenge in order to secure food, water, and warmth to make it through the long cold nights. With some luck and common sense, you'll begin to store up the supplies and tools you need to keep alive, and with some thoughtful planing, you can begin collecting and assembling items to make your task easier and more sustainable. You'll learn that living off the land is key.

    From my exp with the game, resources like wood (used for fire and tools) will not "regen" and reappear in the open world once found and used, which makes things realistic but will force you to keep moving, exploring, and not getting too settled in one place for too long. Once you have run out of wood for a fire source within reach of where you are, for example, you can be left with no choice but to move on to find another source of shelter and resources. Depending on your play style, you will love or hate this aspect of the game.

    All in all, I have survived around three weeks with my current play through, and while there is a learning curve that might keep some players away, once you get into the groove of the game it is quite a rush, in the lonely harsh open world kind of way, where each day you live feels like a mini victory in and of itself.

    Although the game is not narrative heavy, there is certainly a story unfolding in a subtle way, waiting to be discovered as you explore. No fancy cutscenes or voice acting...just clues to something bad that has happened leaving countless dead and an unforgiving world for you to survive in. Overall, enjoying my time and vibe of the game!    … Full Review »
  3. pajama_dad
    Aug 22, 2016
    10
    For a $20 dollar early access game you get a surprising amount of content that has been updated and polished at a pretty consistent rate. TheFor a $20 dollar early access game you get a surprising amount of content that has been updated and polished at a pretty consistent rate. The sandbox is exactly what you want in a survival game- punishing yet fun, beautiful and stylish in presentation, realistic in its systems without feeling cumbersome.… Full Review »
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