Descending The Woods
- July 12, 2024
- AIONWARE LTD
Get on Steam"Descending The Woods" is a survival horror game with cozy farming sim elements, set in an open world filled with paranormal activities. You must manage a farm surrounded by a cursed woodland, rescue and care for animals, and seek out cursed objects to lift the woods' curse. The woods have three layers, each with unique biomes and dangers, and you'll be stalked by relentless ghosts. Make farms in the woods your home base as you explore and survive.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique and intriguing concept that combines horror elements with farming and pet management, adding depth to the gameplay.
- The atmosphere is well-crafted, creating a spooky environment that keeps players on edge, especially during nighttime exploration.
- The developer is actively working on updates and patches, showing commitment to improving the game and addressing player feedback.
- The game is currently plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, making it feel unpolished and at times unplayable, especially in multiplayer mode.
- There is a lack of essential features such as a save system, which can lead to frustrating experiences for players who want to take breaks.
- The controls and inventory management are not intuitive, leading to a steep learning curve that can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- gameplay20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique blend of unexpected mechanics, such as farming and pet management, which enhance the experience without overshadowing the horror elements. While the game runs smoothly and is best enjoyed with friends, it is marred by bugs that can significantly impact gameplay. Seamless tutorials are integrated to help players navigate the diverse mechanics, but they can become intrusive if not completed.
“There's a ton of mechanics that you wouldn't expect from a horror game, such as farming and pet management.”
“Although minor, these mechanics add an extra layer to the game without being too tedious or the main focus.”
“As for the game itself; it runs smoothly (albeit there are bugs), the gameplay is fun (best experienced with friends) and although I only have an hour played at the time of writing; I played the demo a fair bit prior to release.”
“The basic game mechanics that even demos have, this game doesn't.”
“There are fewer mechanics in this game that work than there are ones that don't.”
“While the tutorials are critical for this game to know and understand the wide variety of mechanics, if you do not complete them individually, then they will continue to pop up in front of you.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game, particularly farming and resource management, to be a mixed experience. While these mechanics add depth and variety to the horror gameplay, they can also feel tedious, especially when playing solo, and require significant effort and learning to master. Overall, the farming elements are seen as a unique but sometimes overwhelming addition to the game.
“Farming takes a ridiculous amount of water, and barricades serve no purpose.”
“It's definitely very tedious solo though.”
“Farming is designed acceptably, but has a sharp learning curve.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is consistently praised for its spooky and tense qualities, particularly in the forest setting, which evokes feelings of unease and encourages players to remain vigilant. Reviewers appreciate the contrast between the comforting nearby farm and the oppressive ambiance of the woods, creating a compelling and immersive experience. Overall, the atmospheric design effectively enhances the game's emotional depth and sense of foreboding.
“Love the atmosphere; it looks like our winter where we are.”
“The atmosphere of the forest is very depressing; the nearby area can farm and raise animals, which is very comfortable, but the environment becomes tense at night.”
“The atmosphere is done well; it's spooky and makes you look over your shoulder.”
“What I can say is I do like the atmosphere, especially in the woods.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Optimization in the game is inconsistent, with users reporting a mix of smooth performance and notable bugs, which is common for early access titles. While the gameplay is enjoyable, especially in multiplayer, the presence of bugs can detract from the overall experience.
“As for the game itself; it runs smoothly (albeit there are bugs), the gameplay is fun (best experienced with friends) and although I only have an hour played at the time of writing; I played the demo a fair bit prior to release.”
“Optimization is still hit or miss sometimes, and a fair share of bugs, typical of early access.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in Night 1+ is characterized as a vibrant and expressive element, with users highlighting its ability to resonate deeply and evoke a strong sense of cultural identity. The soundtrack is described as engaging and memorable, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
“Night 1+ is a 'let me sing you the song of my people'.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs that cause pets to get stuck, invisible entities, and players being randomly disconnected with difficulty rejoining. Additionally, the lack of enemy variety and uninteresting models contribute to an overall frustrating experience.
“The game is incredibly buggy; pets often get stuck in walls, and crops are carried around without being stored. Additionally, entities can become invisible, and players are randomly thrown out of the game, unable to rejoin unless invited back.”
“There is a lack of enemy variety, and the character models are uninteresting. The game suffers from numerous bugs that significantly impact gameplay.”
