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Darkwood

Darkwood

Darkwood - a new perspective on survival horror. Scavenge and explore a rich, ever-changing free-roam world by day, then hunker down in your hideout and pray for the morning light.

95%
Overwhelmingly Positive
DeveloperAcid Wizard Studio
PublishersAcid Wizard Studio, Hooded Horse
Release DateAug 17, 2017
-90%
$19.99$1.99
Peak Players1.3K
Metacritic80
Controllerfull
PlatformsWindows · macOS · Linux
Action
Adventure
RPG
Strategy
AI Review Summary

Darkwood is a masterclass in atmospheric survival horror, delivering a uniquely terrifying experience through its top-down perspective and deep environmental storytelling. While it is highly praised for its tension and resource management, some players find the restrictive stamina mechanics, punishing save system, and repetitive night cycles to be significant hurdles.

Pros

  • Exceptional atmosphere and tension that creates a truly frightening experience despite the top-down view.95%
  • Deeply immersive lore and a well-crafted, mysterious narrative that rewards exploration.85%
  • Challenging resource and time management mechanics that require careful planning and patience.80%
  • Innovative horror mechanics that change the player's outlook on the genre as a whole.75%
  • High replayability with potential for different playstyles and speedrunning.60%

Cons

  • Punishing save system that often forces players to resort to manual backups or 'Alt-F4' to avoid losing progress.85%
  • Restrictive stamina system that limits movement and can feel frustrating during exploration.75%
  • Repetitive gameplay loops involving significant backtracking and idle time during night defense cycles.70%
  • Steep difficulty curve with occasional 'insta-kill' events that can feel unfair or abrupt.65%
  • Obscure mechanics and a cryptic narrative that can leave some players feeling lost or confused.55%

Notable Mentions

  • Reviewers highlight a significant surge in interest following coverage by popular YouTubers.
  • The game's setting is noted for its bleak, authentic atmosphere inspired by the Polish People's Republic.
Confidence: 57%
Based on the 106 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Sep 3, 2026
Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak
395
Peak · last 90 days
413
All-time peak
1.3K

Price

Current price
$19.99$1.99-90%
Lowest tracked
$1.99since Jan 9, 2026

Review Sentiment

Last 30 days
86%
All-time positive
95%
Review Statistics
Total Reviews25.2K
Positive: 23.9K (95%)Negative: 1.3K (5%)

3%

Reviews from Steam Deck

0%

Dev Response Rate

26h

Avg Playtime at Review

74%

Credible Reviews