Darkwood

Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game from Acid Wizard Studio. It tells of a threatening forest region whose residents and secrets you explore without constant waypoint markers.

Its tension comes mainly from sounds, scarce materials and the uncertainty about what is moving outside your field of view.

Darkwood was released on August 17, 2017 as a full PC game. PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One followed in 2019.

The native versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S arrived in 2022 and differ technically from the older console versions.

Darkwood has been released for PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The PC version supports Windows, macOS and Linux.

The PS5 version offers, among other things, native 4K output, DualSense effects and the import of PS4 save games. The Xbox Series version also has technical improvements.

During the day, you search forests and buildings for supplies, tools and clues. You decide which risks you want to take and how far you move away from your next safe hideout.

The world combines fixed encounters with randomly arranged map areas and events.

For Windows, Steam lists minimum requirements of an Intel Core i3-2100 or AMD Phenom II X2 565, 4 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 460 with 1 GB or Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB. Recommended are a Core i5-2400 or AMD FX-4300 and 8 GB RAM.

The installation requires 10 GB of storage.

After nightfall, your shelter becomes your most important means of survival. You barricade entrances, set traps and use light, weapons and scarce supplies to survive the night.

Your defences must be prepared before the day ends: whoever wastes materials has fewer options in later nights.

Collected materials can be turned into tools, weapons, traps and equipment. Different items help with exploring or protecting your hideout.

Because not all materials are always available, stockpiling and choosing specific equipment play a major role.

Over the course of the game, you can unlock new traits through an unusual substance. These changes bring advantages and can also have unwanted side effects.

The progression system complements cautious exploration instead of guaranteeing a safe path through the forest.

The characters of the forest pursue their own interests. Dialogue and decisions help determine which relationships form and how parts of the story unfold.

Darkwood deliberately does not fully explain its world. Many connections become clear through exploration and encounters.

Instead of constant jump scares, Darkwood relies on an oppressive atmosphere. Limited visibility, unfamiliar sounds and the threat of the night create tension even when no enemy is in sight.

The game can still be distressing due to its violence and disturbing imagery.

Darkwood is designed entirely for single player. It has no co-op campaign mode.

The varying world structure and choices made along the way make a new playthrough feel different, even though key locations and story elements recur.

Darkwood is offered as a main game on several platforms. Separate packages also exist, such as the Special Edition on PS4 or bundles with other games.

Such bundles should not be equated with a new native platform version of the original game.

Darkwood offers German on-screen text on PC, PS5 and Nintendo Switch. On the Nintendo console, the Pro Controller is also supported.

The PlayStation 5 version additionally uses adaptive triggers and haptic feedback from the DualSense controller.