Darkwood

It's great game. It was definitely well invested time. I love graphics, 2D view from top. It was a perfect design choice. In-game mechanics are intuitive. However, sometimes the responsiveness from the character could be better. But, I assume it's by design. No bugs at all, no random hangups. I play on Linux machine with 4k display and Radeon 6600. Game was smooth all the time, even in larger locations or with more enemies. In terms of plot, the game is unique. I like it's gore ending. I like the gore through gameplay. I also love the fact that selected timeframe show late communism time. I can concur, since I was born not long before the plot events. In general, on of the best titles I have played for long time.

Holy fuck, i almost died in front of the screen! Make sure to play the intro too! So far, its very tense and frightening, the setting is very mysterious. If you enjoy lone survival, mystery and horror, you really should pick this one up! The graphic style only makes it more frightening for me, the pixel-art is done well.

The game has some sides to it that are often seen as negative sides. I just want to describe them a bit before going on with other stuff. 1. Dying is rarely further than a few mistakes away. 2. At times it can be frustrating to die far from your hut right before night fall, where you will respawn, only to have to wait until after the night to go pick up your backpack. Perhaps you don't even know what time it is (since your watch is in the backpack) and have to choose between getting the bag straight away (as if it is long until night time) or wait in the safe space (as if it's almost night). 3. Struggling with time, reaching and exploring a slightly remote area, only to realize you have to get back to your cabin before night fall. 4. Difficult combat system. None of these things should necessarily be seen as a negative thing though. If you play the game in a way that suits it, you won't have to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when night falls, or die needlessly swarmed by enemies you run into as you are fleeing another. The game is a very unusual kind of game and the sooner you start playing it it's way, the more you will enjoy it. Just plan your exploration a bit in advance and be careful. For example, one day explore minor areas and gather loot, random lore items and stuff to secure your hideout with. After that, go to that larger location to explore the plot. Survive with the help of the loot you just found instead of dying. The game offers great atmosphere, an incredible world, great story, characters, art and characters. The strange events that occur and the places you stumble upon makes exploration really rewarding and draws you into the world and it's weird story. Overall a game to play slowly and not play in order to reach the goal. If you reach the goal too quickly, you will miss a lot of characters, plot etc. Overall a great game and one of the best horror games I've played. Don't miss out on it just because you've read some of the usual complaints.

I’ve never been a fan of horror games, because lets face it - they are scary ;’( I was really keen on the top down perspective and unique style so I bought it. This game is atmospherically brilliant and terrifying. Darkwood is as deep as its forests, dense with lore and mystery. Darkwood’s core gameplay is exploring your surroundings in the day time, looting and crafting, drinking in set pieces, characters and story all the while. Contrasting with your nighttime activities, hunkering in your base, defending it from gruesome beings (or hiding and running for your life which was my preference) until morning. Accompanying you all the way is this ominous soundscape, soaked in dread, paralysing you at times, amazing, it can’t be described really, only experienced. The gorgeous story elements and gory set pieces are wonders to behold, and even though I was having heart palpitations and adrenaline rushes probably through most of the game, it’s one of the most memorable and high quality game experiences I’ve ever had. I’m so looking forward to dipping back in after my first play through as there’s so much I missed and multiple alternative branching storylines to follow up on. The story is so ambiguous I will be completely enraptured with it for many more play throughs. Thank you so much Dev’s, this is art!

This is in my top five horror games of the 2010s, standing strong alongside RE7, Alien: Isolation, Amnesia TDD and Outlast. It has a mountain of atmosphere blanketing it, crushing the player. I'm a brave guy, but I was often quite hesitant to head into the woods and delve deep into the horrors within. I got a digital copy of this one on a whim and it blew me away so much, I had to get a DRM-free GOG copy. I can't recommend it enough, as long as you have a modicum of patience and don't expect an action-packed military shooter or something stupid like that.