Darkwood

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,847 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Darkwood Game Cover
Darkwood is a masterpiece of the horror genre and at once accessible to wannabe horror gamers and harrowing to fear junkies.
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"Darkwood" is a survival horror game with a top-down perspective, set in a randomly generated, ever-sinister forest. By day, explore to scavenge and craft, and by night barricade yourself in your hideout, avoiding or defending against the horrors that emerge. Your choices and interactions impact the world and story, and trusting others may lead to unexpected consequences.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,847 reviews
story800 positive mentions
grinding144 negative mentions
  • story2,262 mentions

    The story of Darkwood is widely praised for its depth, atmosphere, and unique narrative style, often described as a blend of psychological horror and folklore. Players appreciate the non-linear storytelling that requires exploration and interaction with the environment to piece together the plot, which is filled with intriguing characters and moral dilemmas. However, some reviewers note that the story can be cryptic and challenging to follow, with a gameplay loop that may detract from the narrative experience at times. Overall, it is considered a compelling and immersive journey that keeps players engaged and eager to uncover its mysteries.

    • “Even so, the overall story, environment, and characters were compelling enough to keep me going up to the bitter end.”
    • “Darkwood has a phenomenal horror atmosphere that doesn't rely on cheap jumpscares and a great story that will haunt your mind.”
    • “The story is enveloped in mystery that can go in different directions, and the dark sepia color scheme adds to the sense of fear.”
    • “Any sense of tension or dread you might feel gets washed away by the annoying gameplay systems, lack of direction, and general boredom you’ll feel running from one point of interest to another hoping it progresses the only interesting yet extremely vague part of the game - the story.”
    • “The story felt somewhat nonsensical and hard to follow, and the gameplay loop became dull quickly.”
    • “The story is also extremely bare-bones in terms of cosmic horror, though its presentation seems quite good.”
  • atmosphere2,087 mentions

    The atmosphere in Darkwood is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and tension throughout the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional sound design, haunting visuals, and the unique mechanics that enhance the feeling of vulnerability and fear of the unknown. Many agree that the game excels in building a chilling atmosphere without relying on cheap jump scares, making it a standout title in the survival horror genre.

    • “A masterclass in atmosphere, art, and sound.”
    • “The atmosphere is always placing pressure in your heart.”
    • “Darkwood has a stellar atmosphere, fantastic sound design, a soundtrack made by an evil genius, top tier survival horror gameplay, fascinating lore, tons of replayability and a level of immersion that is second to none.”
    • “The atmosphere is so thick that you could cut it with a machete.”
    • “The atmosphere is always charged with tension, as time passes even when crafting or sorting your inventory, keeping you perpetually on your toes.”
    • “The atmosphere, sound design, and the fear of anticipation all adds up to the tension and suspense.”
  • gameplay1,662 mentions

    The gameplay of Darkwood is characterized by a unique blend of survival mechanics and horror elements, featuring a day-night cycle where players scavenge for resources during the day and defend their hideouts at night. While the atmosphere, sound design, and art style are highly praised, many players find the gameplay loop can become repetitive and tedious over time, with some mechanics feeling clunky or frustrating. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience that rewards patience and strategic thinking, appealing to fans of survival horror despite its learning curve and occasional gameplay frustrations.

    • “The gameplay loop of exploration, scavenging, crafting, and hunkering down for the night becomes very satisfying, especially as you become more efficient at it.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly engaging and the world is beautifully crafted with unmatched atmosphere.”
    • “Darkwood is a triumph of atmospheric horror and survival gameplay.”
    • “However, its simplicity in character design and gameplay mechanics holds it back from being truly engaging in the long run.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is so tedious and boring that it makes it nearly impossible to appreciate the great atmosphere the game is trying to create.”
    • “The gameplay loop kills any horror there was in this game, making anything between you and loot being only an annoyance.”
  • graphics854 mentions

    The graphics of *Darkwood* are characterized by a unique, pixelated art style that effectively enhances the game's eerie atmosphere and horror elements. While some players initially find the visuals simplistic or reminiscent of older games, many appreciate how the art and sound design work together to create a deeply immersive and unsettling experience. The game's top-down perspective and limited field of vision contribute to a sense of vulnerability, making the visuals integral to its psychological horror.

    • “The visuals are astoundingly beautiful, creepy, and stylistic.”
    • “Darkwood's art style is grotesquely beautiful, enhancing the unsettling atmosphere with richly detailed environments and uniquely designed creatures.”
    • “The atmosphere, sound design, and visual effects work together to create a solid mechanism, like clocks.”
    • “The graphics are atrocious.”
    • “The graphics are blurry ultra-low res and awful.”
    • “The graphics, animation, and sound design also create a tangible atmosphere, which is easily the best part of the game.”
  • music570 mentions

    The music in Darkwood is widely praised for its ability to enhance the game's eerie atmosphere, with a haunting soundtrack that effectively builds tension and immerses players in the unsettling world. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of ambient sounds and music, which contribute to a sense of dread without relying on jump scares. While some note that the music can become repetitive in certain areas, the overall sound design is considered top-notch, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The game's sound design and soundtrack really pull some heavy weight here to create a level of tension and psychological stress I've never seen before.”
    • “The soundtrack further elevates the experience, with haunting melodies that punctuate moments of tension and action.”
    • “The music swells and recedes with the ebb and flow of tension, heightening the emotional impact of each moment.”
    • “The problem with this mechanic is that at some point you forget about the music, and you lose the connection with the horror atmosphere you had before, which is the core essence of this game.”
    • “The only time music plays in this game is when they want to unnerve you, more so through ambient sounds than anything else.”
    • “The music is eerie and haunting, creating an atmosphere of increasing paranoia.”
  • replayability169 mentions

    Darkwood is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its procedurally generated maps, multiple endings, and impactful player choices that affect the game's narrative and environment. Many players report spending over 100 hours exploring different paths and outcomes, although some feel that the replay value diminishes after the initial playthrough due to limited content changes. Overall, the combination of randomization and branching storylines makes Darkwood a compelling choice for those seeking a game with significant replay potential.

    • “Darkwood has a fair amount of replayability due to its procedurally generated world.”
    • “The game's story, with multiple outcomes based on your choices, adds depth and replayability.”
    • “With the completely randomized map every time you start a new game, the random encounters at night, and the plethora of decisions that affect interesting character arcs, this game is highly replayable and fully worth your time and money.”
    • “Personally, I found little replayability with this game despite the 'randomly' generated map, but it was an unforgettable first playthrough.”
    • “There's no replay value in this game unless you are doing achievement hunting.”
    • “Sadly, I give it an 8 because although the world you play in is randomly generated, it does not randomly generate the story/encounters, hindering its replay value.”
  • grinding158 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive tasks, resource farming, and slow progression. While some appreciate the atmosphere and challenge, the overwhelming sentiment is that the gameplay loop becomes monotonous and laborious, detracting from the overall experience. A few players noted that the survival mechanics can be engaging, but the grind often overshadows the enjoyment, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's pacing and design.

    • “A masterful horror game with a crushing atmosphere and no cheap jumpscares, coupled with a tense (but not tedious) survival gameplay.”
    • “Polished gameplay, survival aspects being not tedious and the story is a 10/10”
    • “A lot of grinding”
    • “The core gameplay loop is so tedious and boring that it makes it nearly impossible to appreciate the great atmosphere the game is trying to create.”
    • “I swear I spent a majority of the game running back and forth farming resources for hours and sitting in my base waiting for it to be dawn so I can run all the way back to the same house and finish looting it.”
    • “The atmosphere is marred by tedious and repetitive gameplay having you run around the map desperate to find anything interesting to do or see, only to be culled back to your hideout to play the waiting game.”
  • emotional67 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players experiencing a wide range of feelings from dread and sadness to nostalgia and empathy. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine emotional reactions through its immersive atmosphere, character stories, and haunting moments, making it a standout in the horror genre. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay pacing, the emotional depth and personal connections formed during the experience resonate strongly with players, often leaving them feeling deeply affected long after playing.

    • “This game was amazing, emotional ending, emotional everything... 11/10”
    • “Hopelessness, survival, sickness, struggle, and sacrifice lend for a deep emotional tone that is expertly uncovered as the player progresses.”
    • “I don't know where to begin, this is probably the only horror game I've played that actually made me feel emotions other than anxiety and fear; I felt genuinely bad for the characters that I wronged along the way.”
  • stability59 mentions

    The stability of Darkwood has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a generally smooth experience and minimal bugs, while others encountered significant glitches that hindered gameplay, particularly on macOS. Many users noted that while minor issues exist, the game is largely playable and enjoyable, especially on certain platforms like the Steam Deck and iMac. However, a number of players experienced game-breaking bugs and crashes, particularly in early access versions, leading to a consensus that while the game shows promise, it still requires further polishing to enhance stability.

    • “Never ran into any technical issues with the game, so my playthrough was bug-free.”
    • “The game itself runs very well - no glitches or bugs that I've encountered anyway.”
    • “It's also very polished, and by far the most bug-free and functional pre-release game I've seen.”
    • “It also has some glitches on macOS; in the final chapters, it’s almost impossible to progress due to visual bugs.”
    • “It's extremely buggy; prepare to face a bunch of game-breaking glitches like NPCs or objects not appearing, items that cannot be used until you restart the game, places that are impossible to get to (due to procedural map)...”
    • “Now I'm stuck here, wanting to play this game and it just freezes like 12 seconds into it every time.”
  • humor48 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and absurd elements, often juxtaposed with its grim atmosphere, creating a uniquely immersive experience. Players appreciate the wacky characters and unexpected comedic moments, which provide levity amidst the horror, while some find the humor to be both tragic and hilarious. Overall, the game's sly and ironic humor resonates well with fans of bizarre storytelling and adds a memorable layer to its narrative.

    • “The dark and gritty atmosphere broken with occasional humor allows for a fundamentally immersive and humbling experience.”
    • “The characters are both tragic and hilarious at the same time.”
    • “Atmospheric open world horror with a pinch of dark humor.”
    • “This is the most unfunny thing I could ever comment, and I regret ever making it.”
    • “Some parts are funny, but overall it misses the mark.”
  • character development36 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and uniqueness, with players highlighting the intricate backstories and distinctive designs of characters that enhance the overall atmosphere. The combination of immersive world-building and impactful interactions contributes to a rich narrative experience, although some feel that character growth is more reflective of the player's journey than the characters themselves. Overall, the grotesque yet beautiful character designs and their integration into the game's eerie ambiance are frequently noted as standout features.

    • “It has some amazing world building and character development; even the little details of the soundtrack are all just flawless in my opinion.”
    • “The storytelling and character design is another world in perspective to other games or even high-tier movies.”
    • “Every other scene or building you will explore in Darkwood contains plot, lore, and character development - all of which feed into an overarching narrative that many players will not experience in a first playthrough, or second.”
    • “However, its simplicity in character design and gameplay mechanics holds it back from being truly engaging in the long run.”
    • “The character development was more for the player (me), not the character.”
    • “Every other scene or building you will explore in Darkwood contains plot, lore, character development - all of which feed into an overarching narrative that many players will not experience in a first playthrough, or second.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it generally runs smoothly and performs well on various systems, some players have reported occasional stuttering, particularly in critical moments. Despite these issues, many reviewers noted that the game is less graphically intensive and performs better than similar titles, with some expressing optimism for future improvements. Early access players have found it relatively polished, though some optimization concerns, such as long load times and progression-blocking bugs, remain.

    • “It runs smoothly on my Ryzen 5 integrated video and has joystick support.”
    • “It has no technical or performance problems to report, and perfectly runs in 1440p, 144Hz from start to end.”
    • “Keeping an eye on this game as since the initial 1.0 alpha version it has come a very long way from then and the developers have introduced many more features to it, let alone improving overall performance and enjoyability.”
    • “Optimization could be a bit better, especially in the final chapter.”
    • “I bought this game thrice - the first time I refunded was because the constant micro-stuttering after around 5 hours of game time frustrated me and I decided to wait until further optimization.”
    • “The micro stuttering I encountered is not only frequent, but also often occurred at vital moments such as the beginning of mine or enemy's attack animation, leading to misjudgment of spacing and timing of dodging, which could be lethal.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing frustration over excessive advertising that disrupts gameplay, likening it to enduring long ads during a movie. However, others appreciate the game's reasonable price, suggesting that it reflects a genuine effort from the developers rather than a cash grab.

    • “The feeling can be compared to watching a 1-hour movie but being forced to watch 1 hour of ads in between.”
    • “Overbearing advertising.”
    • “If you can't make games, do something else and don't waste my time with suggestive advertising and artwork.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Darkwood

Play time

25hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
8-48hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 54 analyzed playthroughs

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