The Long Dark - Buyer's Guide

Explore a harsh, frozen wilderness in 'The Long Dark' - a survival game with a beautiful world and atmosphere, but lacks gameplay and development progress. Should you play it?
Fan-art of The Long Dark

Enter a stark, haunting world where survival is a constant struggle. In ‘The Long Dark’, you must use your wits to scavenge for food, shelter, and warmth as you navigate a frozen wilderness ravaged by a geomagnetic disaster. With no zombies to worry about, only the merciless elements and your own mortality threaten your every move. Will you survive the harsh environment and uncover the secrets of the mysterious flash that plunged the world into darkness?

Should I play The Long Dark in 2024?

The good

The sheer beauty and immersion of “The Long Dark” are undeniable. The game offers a unique and hauntingly beautiful open-world survival experience that captivates players with its art style, atmosphere, and painstaking attention to detail. The sandbox survival mode stands out, allowing players to set their own difficulty and objectives, making each playthrough a unique and personal adventure. Many players find the exploration mechanics and survival strategies deeply satisfying, with hundreds of hours of gameplay revealing new secrets and challenges.

The bad

The most persistent criticism revolves around the incomplete story mode, WINTERMUTE. Many players are frustrated with the developers’ prioritization of DLC content over completing the main story, which has been promised and delayed for several years. Some have expressed displeasure about the developers’ handling of community feedback and their interactions on social media. The delay of Episode 5 has left a sour taste for those invested in the narrative aspect of the game.

Verdict

Should you still buy or play “The Long Dark” in 2024? Absolutely! 🌨️ While the criticisms regarding the incomplete story mode are valid, they do not overshadow the immense value and joy found in the game’s sandbox survival mode. If you’re looking for a challenging, deeply engaging survival game with stunning visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack, “The Long Dark” remains one of the best in its genre. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait if the story mode is what you’re after. However, for the survival enthusiasts, it’s a must-have experience that you can get lost in for hundreds of hours. 🔥🏕️



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In-game Screenshot

Screenshot of The Long Dark

Top image is not real in-game screenshots. Fan-art made by Gamer.se. Some game metadata is coming from RAWG