What are the pros of The Long Dark?

Highly immersive and atmospheric survival gameplay set in a harsh frozen wilderness.. Extensive replayability in Survival Mode supported by a massive world and randomized loot.. Refined mechanics and deep difficulty systems that fundamentally change how the game is played.. Exceptional longevity with many players returning for hundreds of hours over several years..

What are the cons of The Long Dark?

Game-breaking bugs and glitches can cause the loss of significant progress in long-term runs.. The episodic story mode, Wintermute, is often cited as being less engaging than the core survival experience.. Development progress is perceived as extremely slow, with long gaps between content updates and episodes.. Technical issues and engine migrations have occasionally disrupted the player experience and mod compatibility..

The Long Dark

THE LONG DARK is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies -- only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.

89%

Very Positive

DeveloperHinterland Studio Inc.

PublisherHinterland Studio Inc.

Release DateAug 1, 2017

$19.99

Peak Players15.0K

Controllerfull

PlatformsWindows · macOS · Linux

AI Review Summary

The Long Dark is a premier wilderness survival experience celebrated for its deep immersion and refined mechanics in its standalone Survival Mode. While the atmosphere and environmental challenges are highly praised, the game suffers from a divisive episodic story mode and technical bugs that can jeopardize long-term progress.

Pros

Highly immersive and atmospheric survival gameplay set in a harsh frozen wilderness.95%
Extensive replayability in Survival Mode supported by a massive world and randomized loot.90%
Refined mechanics and deep difficulty systems that fundamentally change how the game is played.85%
Exceptional longevity with many players returning for hundreds of hours over several years.80%

Cons

Game-breaking bugs and glitches can cause the loss of significant progress in long-term runs.90%
The episodic story mode, Wintermute, is often cited as being less engaging than the core survival experience.85%
Development progress is perceived as extremely slow, with long gaps between content updates and episodes.80%
Technical issues and engine migrations have occasionally disrupted the player experience and mod compatibility.60%

Notable Mentions

The game has maintained a dedicated player base since its early alpha state in 2014.
Survival Mode is the primary draw for the community, often overshadowing the narrative content.
High average playtime of over 160 hours indicates strong long-term engagement despite technical flaws.

Confidence: 83%

Based on the 152 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Jul 19, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

1.6K

Peak · last 90 days

3.9K

All-time peak

15.0K

Price

Current price

$19.99

Lowest tracked

$3.49since Dec 7, 2025

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

80%

All-time positive

89%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews123.4K

Positive: 109.8K (89%)Negative: 13.7K (11%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

168h

Avg Playtime at Review

81%

Credible Reviews