The Long Dark

i heard the game was good I still don't know ? so why leave a bad review, well IT WONT LOAD i have done everything i rolled back my drivers cause i knew the 40 cards were having trouble so i went back and the story mode still wont load i cant get past the intro before it crashes . i know its the game cause i tried some of my others and they worked just good so i cant let someone buy this game then have the same issue . ( if they do fix it i will try but i just cant rn )

Kudos to Hinterland, small independent studio that has delivered a truly genre defining, artistic masterpiece. Having, played over a thousand hours, I have to say it has been an exceptional journey in immersive gaming experience.
This game has ambience and depth with two modes, Wintermute, a story-based introduction to the game and mechanics; and survival mode with multiple difficulty levels to challenge your decision making and will. Survival Mode has an expansion DLC called Tales From the far Territory which is a must for hardened survivors that love the freedom to survive and explore the quiet apocalypse with an additional story line and content.
There are survival games and then there are survival game changers, the Long Dark sits in the latter of the genre and it will not disappoint.

i bought this only because it was 90% off and i was under the influence of the movie ARCTIC played by mads mikkelsen
the game is kinda boring for me after my 1 hrs record time / i was looking for dayz type of content only without zombies which i guess i kinda get it but again i feel this game is boring for me ( maybe i lost the will to play survival games ...
i dont like the Bethesda type of loading you click on some old factory door goes into loading opening some car door goes into loading .... i dont like it
the game is unfinished after more then 5 years of development ...
the game performance is really good under low end hardware thanks for that
oh and one other think does this game have jump? i could not find it in the key binding menu

over all i dont like this but i might change my mind in the future

At first it was hard but like after like 30 minutes of playing I understood pretty much everything. This is a fun game if you like survival and exploration.

This was a generally awful new player experience.
I went to play Wintermute because of it's more structured nature (So that I could learn how the game works) because there is no tutorial otherwise. I started dying of Dehydration, Burns, and Hypothermia. By the time I made it to a small town with some supplies I was within an inch of death.

That isn't the bad part, I actually don't mind games that throw you up shit creek without a paddle.

The game became unplayable when I reached extremely low HP, and started to get flung around at Mach-Fuck. It seems there is supposed to be a kind of 'stumble' or 'clumsiness' mechanic when you get low on health, but the force it applies to the player is way out of proportion.

TLDR: Not a good new player experience and it is ROUGH around the edges.

Shitty developers with dubious takes at best and greedy tendencies that only seemingly gets worse over time. The game STILL isn't finished all these years later and yet they have the audacity to claim they're still working on story mode as they pump the game full of mediocre overpriced dlc and a sequel ngl I regret ever buying this slop and no amount of jennifer hale can carry this train wreck of a studio.

Bought it on a steep discount. Couldn't get the game to run at all, which bummed me out. Tried all the developer's troubleshooting tips and still couldn't pass the first disclaimer screen. Even tried a tip allegedly from a dev on Reddit to no avail (from a few years ago which... didn't inspire me). Each consecutive crash was worse than the last, eventually turning my PC off entirely when attempting to launch. That was about it for me. Had to request a refund. No matter how little it cost me, I'm not into solving a problem that shouldn't exist.

Seems like people are really enjoying the game which is great. I just don't have time to fix a game that's been in development for the better part of a decade. Maybe a younger me would have been more determined.

It's been YEARS, and the story still isn't finished. Releasing DLC for an incomplete game and coming out of Early Access unfinished. Meanwhile, they already have a page for The Long Dark 2. I will never support this company again.

I have, what can only be described as an incredibly abusive relationship with The Long Dark.
The game never truly gets easier. You, as the player become bolder, take more risks, make less calculated choices, gamble with your life. All for the sake of just barely eking out a slightly better situation for the next day. Those small advantages compound. Safety for one day, provides for two, then three, then four, soon you have it for a week. Then you become comfortable, complacent in your daily routine as you roam about in areas you've visited a hundred times in your journey.
But this time, a blizzard hits, or a bear has wandered off its path. A pack of wolves that wasn't there before catches you by surprise and its all over.

You have to start again. You grit your teeth, slam your hand against the table and swear your done, that this will be the last time. Months go by, and the game promises you it'll be different. Surely not every run ends like that, it was a mistake. Soon enough, your back into the cycle, trying and failing again and again and again.

There is a good reason that something as simple as surviving 500 days is an achievement. There is a reason, that achievement is a reward.

No game, in my entire history, keeps you on that knife edge of staying alive like The Long Dark. It is an amazing game, and Hinterland has done an outstanding job.

Solid 10/10

Havn't played all of the chapter's. Only had gotten to Chapter 1, But so far its been amazing, equal story rich and survival and I love it. Definitly reccommend

This should have been a walking simulator. I'm in episode 4 and I don't know if I can finish this... The story might be great, memorable, legendary -- but the game is making me *hate* myself for even trying to play. I'm walking through a blizzard at night at 3 mph (that's, idk, around 5 "clicks" per hour... because I'm carrying something big -- it's a plot thing): I'm stuck holding down the "forward" key until I hit impassable terrain and then trying to guess the shortest route around it (the PC's maps are awful... but that's on purpose :jazz-hands:). I'm stuck in a seemingly endless series of phone calls with characters I couldn't care less about, but I have to ask them every. single. question. that's available. I can't just hang up and continue my current quest... because, fun story, the phone calls are supposed to alter my quest line. There is an insanely decreasing sense of agency as the episodes unfold... I don't know if I'll be able to finish.

I think my ultimate review will be: don't bother, go watch someone else struggle (or excel -- I'm not claiming to be a good gamer) on YouTube for free. This might lead to a great story, but the gameplay hates you, the setting hates you, the locals hate you and go out of their way to remind you that you're an outsider and owe them nothing. Don't bother.

Its a great survival game. Very rarely does an art style matter in game, in this one it does, it is beautiful and it really captures something I have yet to find in anything similar. Also all of my hours are on survival, I think i played 5 mins of the campaign.

I love collection stuff, solving puzzles and unfolding the story. I don't like killing things.

To everyone complaining about them making the second game before the first game is done. you should read the dev diaries more specifically oct 17 2024. episode 5 is gonna be done by the end of the year, also its called having two groups of people each working on separate things. enjoy the game its great

This is, in my opinion one of the greatest games ever made.
Games like this you will find once in a decade, if at all.
The 20 bucks i payed for it gives me far more gaming fun than i could expect from any of those big labels like detesta or any other.
Any survival and crafting game will have to measure itself with The Long Dark, though none of them
came equal.

Amazing game that is true to its indie integrity while providing an ever blossoming and immersive story. All of the updates made over the years have truly improved the game and made it a joy to play! The snow, wildlife, and even movement in the game is well thought out and dynamic. The Long Dark is one of my favorite games that I have ever played and is an experience I think everyone should undertake (watch out for bears)!

I'm absolute dogwater at this game and haven't made it past day ten but I'd like to say that this game has unironically helped me build a better relationship with my best friend and my parents

most defently get this game it's super fun. but there is one thing and that is that there is no multiplayer without mods. overall very fun game highly recommend it.

I've played this game for over 1k hours across multiple steam accounts and it is by *far* my favorite game ever. I've been playing since 2018 but watched other people like StacyPlays play the early access version way before then. This game is like my child, honestly

Absolutely wonderful game, lately in life I have been having terrible anxiety, been battling it with myself and loved ones around me, but nothing has helped me more than the game The Long Dark, it just bring me such peace and quiet, I havent even figured out why XD Highly recommend this game if you like survival and outdoors! 10/10 <3

I did enjoy this somewhat and it isn't a bad game or anything.
It just didn't click with me.

My main issues:

1. Its just too dark to be fun. Even Interiors (with windows) during the day are just too dark.
Yes I realize there's ZERO light pollution that far up north in the wilderness and it gets DARK as hell.
Having grown up in the mountains with NO Electricity, I know first-hand just how dark it gets.

2. It's VERY slow. the "loading bar" to do literally anything is just not fun.

3. It feels less of a survival game and more of an inventory management sim.

4. In the 4 hours I played I wasn't able to craft/find ANYTHING to defend myself with.
Wolves and Bears are freaking EVERYWHERE and they WILL eat you.

Rant start/
Lastly, turning off the "eating noises" in the options didn't do anything.
I'm not sure who eats that loudly but,
PLEASE chew with your mouth CLOSED you damned heathens.
\Rant over

My overall take away is that its just too Dark, Slow and Clumsy/Clunky.

Atmospheric & challenging, a great game to escape into for awhile. The endless cold will claim you, but trying to survive is great fun.

I love survival mode and have just played that, so I would give that a 9/10 for game play loop.

The story mode is still not finished after many years and I see why the community is frustrated especially since a whole DLC is released before the actual story mode is finished. This is why I am leaving my review negative.

I will still probably buy the second game but it is disappointing to see an unfinished story mode after many years of promises.

The Long Dark is a game unlike any other. I am, personally, not a "gamer" but when I play this game, I have a hard time putting it down. The Wintermute portion of the game has a story line and characters that are haunting and wonderful. When you finish the game, you find yourself wanting to go back and play more because you miss the personalities/relationships of the characters. It definitely takes you to another place and time. The survival portion of the game is amazing also but does not have the character development that Wintermute does. They do give you tasks and missions to accomplish that are mysterious and fun. Be ready to put some serious time into this game. It is a super long adventure that you will not soon forget. I have finished both parts of this game and in all honesty, I do still once in a while, go back and play both because it feels like a warm blanket with a mug of my favorite coffee every time I do. I will, for the rest of my life, be playing this game from time to time. It is that good.

I love this game. This survival game is the one that's lasted the longest for me, because its not about feeling powerful, nor is it full of base destruction. Your constant companion is nature itself. You are a wanderer, one of the last survivors of a cold apocalypse. The quiet soothing music as your feet crunch through the snow is the only sound you heOOHHHH MY GOD A BEEARrrrrr phew I made it. *crunch crunch crunch*

Great survival mode, absolutely horrendous story. Buy the survival mode standalone and maybe even the far territory DLC and you're good to enjoy the experience (and by experience I mean getting mauled by a bear for solid 10 seconds and getting chased by wolves for hours, have fun).

Scratches my survival itch real nice. I like the story and look forward to the last episode. I haven't played the DLC episodes yet. I played this game on XBOX when it first came out and they've done a lot to it. I've come back to it a lot over the years. There's a lot they can do like: maybe having the ability to build on the land, make a homestead version, change the weather even. For what it is right now, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and will play this game for expectedly a long time since I already have been.

Love and hate this game at same time, highly addictive.
https://youtu.be/FrIWf4hk1V0

i've been playing this game for years, and it really never gets old. if you love a challenge, or just some easy exploration, this is perfect for you!

My ultimate comfort game, it never gets old.
Each new run is unique, and survival is never easy (especially early game). There are a lot of things to do and explore to keep you busy until late game, and even then there are still threats to keep you on your toes.
Customization is great, so whether you want a chill game without much wildlife and want to focus on exploration, or want an unfairly punishing survival experience, there are game modes and custom games for you.
A game I will always come back to whenever I can.

"The Long Dark feels like being the last heartbeat in a frozen world — every step, every fire, every breath is borrowed time." ❄️🔥 it makes a hard choice between getting loot or doing the boogie down

Really enjoyed 100% this game on PS now that I made the switch to pc looking forward to doing it again. Great soundtrack and looking forward to the next game they release.

A game that gives me a delirious craving for roasted peaches every single time I play it. Engrossing. Incredible. Very spooky. I could lose myself to this game if I wasn't careful. brb I'm going to crack open a tin of apricots (don't have any peaches).

Slow pace cozy survival game very immersive. Knowledge is power u will die until u learn. The wiki is ur best friend.

Survive and immerse yourself in the world.

Winter theme for survival is the ideal for the genre. The peculiar graphics suits this game so well and increases the immersion in the world, which is already very atmospheric.
I can't help but praise the elements of survival, very on a high level, only 1 but, the game requires that it is very much played, I do not know whether this is good or bad, unfortunately I dont have such a time, so unfortunately the game I'm not fully feel the game.
Very lacking co-op, which would help this game is not so much to spend a lot of time to explore its world and full enjoyment.
I hope they add co-op, I think it's perfect for this game.

I recommend it!

very immersive experience. If you're too hot in the summer, don't turn on the AC, just play this game!

i have an intense love hate relationship with this game. to the point it feels like an abusive relationship where my husband beats my ass every couple of days but i refuse to leave him because he sets off fireworks every couple of days and i like looking at pretty lights in the sky. i recommend this game if you like walking around and trying not to freeze to death, which is basically just a north-eastern-united-states simulator but with a canadian flag slapped onto it ; if you live in a cold climate you might just whisper faintly to yourself 'this is just like getting groceries in winter!!'

the positives are that its relaxing, and meditative. the negatives are that most 'gamers' on this website will find this shit boring as all hell. there is litterally nothing to do but walk aimlessly. but im a masochist #gamergirl so my neurons are built different or something, which is why i have allowed myself to be abused by this game for a total of 40 fucking hours.
also i know how to deal with wolves and yet that doesnt make it any less annoying to be harassed by a pack of forty balto ass motherfuckers everytime you dare to step outside. theres no feat progression in custom mode, so the game essentially stops that in-game progression if you dare to turn down [or off] the death-machine-hatecrime-device-4000 'wolves.'

i recommend this game for a highly specific subset of the population, namely: weirdos and masochistic freaks who like being harassed as they walk around in the snow- but if ur like some adhd-enthralled, bayonetta-freak, furry-pilled nonhuman of the male gender who lives in connecticut , go on e621 or something. i hope it brings you some fucking peace. cuz god knows im not getting any

I would recommend this game for the story mode only. If it was just survival I would say don't buy it. Things are just to spread out in survival mode and I spent 5 real world hours exploring a region, trying to find some structures to take refuge in, but every building I found was burn down or blocked off.

I played episode 1 and enjoyed it a lot.

- get the game
- play and fall in love
- realize story isn't finished
- have a break for 2-3 years
- come back, play the story again to refresh
- find out there has been no update so far

I have so many hours in this game and enjoyed it so much, but if they truly care about their players, as the intro says, it wouldn't have been pushed back time and time again. Only if you're interested in survival mode or never-ending promises about the next update. Btw, don't forget to buy the DLC.

The Long Dark is a unique survival experience that captivates with its atmosphere and depth.
From the very first moments, you find yourself in a harsh and unforgiving winter world, where nature is your greatest enemy. There are no zombies, mutants, or other fantastical threats—only icy winds, hunger, predators, and solitude. This is what makes the game truly realistic and intense.
The graphics, though stylized, perfectly convey the beauty and danger of the northern wilderness. The soundtrack and sound design create a sense of complete isolation, making you feel every step in the snow.
The gameplay is mesmerizing: searching for food, building shelters, and managing resources—every action matters.
However, the game is not for everyone. It is meditative, challenging, and demanding, not about action but about calm, thoughtful survival. If you enjoy atmospheric and hardcore games, The Long Dark is a true masterpiece.

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☐ Eargasm
☑ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☑ Old Fashioned
☐ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 15% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☑ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☑ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☑ Lovely
☐ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☑ Long
☐ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☑ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☑ 9
☐ 10

Survive. Adapt. Perish. Repeat.

This game is... something else entirely. It's not your average survival game where you craft an empire out of sticks and stones or become some overpowered wilderness god. Nope, The Long Dark takes a simpler, much harsher route: you’re in the frozen wilderness, you’re alone, and you’re going to die. The only question is how long you’ll last.

First off, let’s talk about the vibe. This game doesn’t scare you with cheap tricks like random jump scares or monsters. It’s something much more primal — solitude. The silence. The wind. The creak of an empty cabin. It’s like the whole world is whispering, “You’re not supposed to be here.” And yeah, that gets under your skin. You’ll find yourself checking shadows for wolves or lighting a match just to ease the weight of the dark. It’s intense, but in the best way possible.

Then there’s the survival itself. You’re juggling everything—calories, thirst, warmth, fatigue — all while keeping track of time, weather, and the fact that wolves and bears don’t care about your to-do list. Every decision feels heavy. Do you risk crossing the ice to reach that cabin? Do you use your last match now or save it for later? It’s not just about staying alive; it’s about outsmarting a world that’s actively trying to kill you.

But here’s the thing: dying isn’t a failure in this game. It’s like a lesson. Every mistake you make teaches you something — don’t wander off without extra clothes, don’t ignore that storm brewing in the distance, don’t think a wolf will back down because you’re holding a flare. And when you finally nail a long run, when you’ve got a stash of food, a warm shelter, and maybe even a rifle — you feel like a legend.

Now, what about the gameplay modes? The Wintermute story mode? It’s fine, serves as a good intro, but the real magic is in Sandbox. That’s where you can truly lose yourself. Whether you’re in a chill mode where wildlife leaves you alone or cranking the difficulty to Interloper where every second is a fight for survival, it’s entirely up to you. And hey, the custom mode? Absolute lifesaver. Tweak it to fit your style and just dive in.

And let’s not forget the devs. These people love their game. They’re constantly adding new regions, mechanics, and even special events (like a Halloween monster mode — wild, right?). It’s rare to see a game that’s already so polished still getting this much love years after launch.

In the end, The Long Dark isn’t just a game. It’s an experience. It’s for people who don’t mind a challenge, who appreciate a game that respects their intelligence and throws them into a world where the only goal is to keep going. It’s brutal, haunting, and absolutely unforgettable.
10/10. Get it. Survive it. Or at least, try.

Well-balanced winter survival with fun looting and exploration mechanics, gorgeous stylized landscapes, and lovely background music. Hinterland really managed to capture the bleak feeling of winter. The immersion is great, and the virtual world is beautiful to look at. There's a lot of walking, but if you play on harder difficulties (I usually stick with Pilgrim) it'll be livened up by the threat of wildlife attacks, and even on easy you have to manage your temperature, stamina, and remaining daylight. There's a huge in-game world to explore, and it's getting bigger all the time; since I purchased the game there've been many updates with new regions, items, game mechanics, etc. (And all the maps are hand-crafted! No procedurally generated environments here). I've gotten my money's worth many times over.

Amazing game with a beautiful art style, amazing story, and a team that cares about the community. I have over 200 hours on console and they will only continue to grow as the game has endless possibilities for new adventures. Very excited about the release of BlackFrost: The Long Dark 2, can't wait to play with friends and sink more hours into this lovely game.

I like survival games, and was hoping I would like this one too considering the positive reviews. I found myself feeling irritated frequently however. The problem? Boredom induced from choices attempting to be "realistic". Is it slow to walk in boots in the snow? Yup, but I don't want to take forever getting places. Can snow on a slope be slippery? Yup, but I don't want to be very frequently falling and injuring myself trying to just explore. Can walking around be tiring? Yup, but after sleeping 9 hours overnight I don't want to barely be able to move as my stamina is red line depleted and I am huffing like an old train going uphill when it is barely noon. Are blizzards dangerous? Definitely, but I don't want to stare at the screen wasting a full day as I can't go outside or I will freeze to death and can't see. And even the sleeping or advance time mechanic is just a slow trudge. Are nights dark? Ya, but after the minimal lamp oil is gone I want to be able to move in my base and do things and not just waste time. Those skill books don't read themselves and crafting needs doing. But since you can't see, those get pushed to daylight hours instead of being out doing things. There are other things, but you get the idea. People play a game to have fun... Explore, do things, etc, not waste time getting places, waiting out the storm or night, avoiding going many places for fear of injury, bored going from here to there. And hunting is broken. Hard to one shot anything, and tracking it is usually pointless. Takes too long, trail disappears, you get injured trying to follow on terrain that barely slopes, and rarely find the animal making it a frustrating waste of time and waste of precious ammo. I tried playing the story mode hoping it would be better, however the first part of the main quest getting supplies for the Grey Mother would never complete allowing me to advance. Went to the gas station for food, got eh amount of food in the fridge, amount of wood in the bin, both showed full amounts and checks next to them, advanced time to next day, exited and entered her house... Nada. No coat reward as others posted about online. I even saw on the Devs forum someones post about having the exact same problem a long time ago, yet no solution or fix listed, no response from Dev, and issue clearly not fixed making the story mode impossible to advance and play for me. Too late to refund this game unfortunately.

The Long Dark is one of the most immersive survival games out there. Waking up in the cold, starving, with nothing but the wind (or wolves) howling around you—it’s tense, brutal, and incredibly rewarding. The best moments come when you’re wandering through the wilderness, low on supplies, wondering if you’ll actually make it to shelter before succumbing to the long dark. Every trip feels like an adventure, and the world’s quiet solitude is unmatched.

But man, this game has its frustrations. Inventory management is a mess—not so much the weight limit (the new travois helps), but just moving stuff between containers is clunky. Please, just add a hotkey to open a container instantly so I don’t have to sit through the spinner. I remember when the drawer animation was added in, yeah, it's cool, but please don't require me to watch it every time. Especially on containers I already know the contents of. This is actually such a problem for me that I always just drop all of my stuff on the floor so I can see everything at a glance.

Crafting is another pain point. Searching for recipes is a chore, and the game expects you to memorize everything instead of just showing what an item is used for. And then there's actually gathering the ingredients—half the time, it's a wild scavenger hunt where I’m running from stash to stash like a confused squirrel trying to remember where I buried my nuts.

The HUD is also needlessly vague. A little yellow exclamation mark when I have a status effect? Cool, but why not just show what it is? Instead of stopping every few minutes to press F and check, I could just see that I’m hypothermic and react accordingly.

Eventually, all these little annoyances add up, and I step away. But then, a few months later, I’m back—because no other game captures this kind of atmosphere. The loneliness, the quiet, the ever-present question of "Can I actually make it?" keeps pulling me in.

Recommended—but expect some jank.

Ive played the "wintermute" or the story 1-5 on xbox and I enjoyed it very much. Ive already played more of survival than wintermute though having 25 hrs as I write. Game is still very good, holds up well and is one of the better, more harsh survival games that doesnt rely on pvp. 9/10

Game is good. Has good mods too.

-opens game
-creates game
-finds hatchet
-finds steroids
-eats them
-gets eaten by a bear
10 our of 10 would get eaten again

Recently upped the difficulty. First game froze to death in blizzard. Second game bled out to wolf bite. Third game slowly starved to death while huddling over a fire in a cave. 10/10 would recommend.