Darkwood Review

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 มิ.ย. 2024
  • Darkwood is a gem of a survival horror game that has largely flown under the radar after its release from early access. This review covers the elements I think make it so terrifying.
    Support the channel at: / mandaloregaming or www.paypal.me/MandaloreGaming
    I take video suggestions at mandaloremovies@gmail.com
    Twitter: / lord_mandalore
    #Darkwood #DarkwoodReview #DarkwoodPC #DarkwoodGame #HorrorGame #DarkwoodGameplay
    00:00 - Intro
    00:45 - Game Premise
    2:14 - Visuals
    3:56 - Gameplay Mechanics
    8:46 - Music & Sound Design
    10:24 - Story
    11:36 - Story (SPOILERS)
    14:11 - Conclusions
  • เกม

ความคิดเห็น • 1.8K

  • @MandaloreGaming
    @MandaloreGaming  6 ปีที่แล้ว +811

    Darkwood on GOG - gog.la/NotAsScaryAsFinnishWoods
    THE LIST - docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_K3ziSxT9zcUUGCddS4sF1uNJTWHSbOwB1CQX2Rx4Uo
    I'd strongly recommend giving Darkwood a try. It was hard not to show off too much of the game!

    • @thewisewolf768
      @thewisewolf768 6 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      I'll be sure to. This was the first video I actually skipped spoilers.
      Always a pleasure to watch your content. Keep up the great work.

    • @ahumanshitpost
      @ahumanshitpost 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Don't mean to be pushy, but would you consider reviewing Harvester? It's a really dark FMV adventure game that is considered a hidden gem by many. I would be interested to hear your opinion on it.

    • @Requiem782
      @Requiem782 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      do a hollow knight review

    • @IntrusiveThot420
      @IntrusiveThot420 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Whoa, have MULTIPLE people recommended AI War: Fleet Command? God damn, I hope that one gets some love. It certainly deserves it.

    • @MandaloreGaming
      @MandaloreGaming  6 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      A channel I like called ARealHuman did a really good Harvester video. Unfortunately that game might be too story focused for me to do a review on since it would be talking about plot most of the video.

  • @Radimkiller
    @Radimkiller 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4806

    "Eastern European attempts to walk to the store."

    • @adenowirus
      @adenowirus 6 ปีที่แล้ว +416

      - Do you have...
      - No.
      - In that case, do you have...
      - No.
      - So maybe you have...
      - No.
      - So what do you have?
      - We have year 1980!

    • @IgKravenchenko
      @IgKravenchenko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +174

      *HARDBASS AND HAZMAT SUIT*

    • @Scrubwave
      @Scrubwave 5 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      Z Tyłu Sklepu

    • @karolkwiecjasz9356
      @karolkwiecjasz9356 5 ปีที่แล้ว +75

      Time to trade in for ham with toilet paper on the street then.

    • @mikoajfab5417
      @mikoajfab5417 5 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      *W SKLEPIE U ARTURA.*

  • @CreakySkelly
    @CreakySkelly 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6032

    Also, the devs gave out a free torrent of it, only asking that you buy it if you like it, so keep that in mind if you are interested.
    And support the devs if you do like it, of course

    • @beesinpyjamas9617
      @beesinpyjamas9617 5 ปีที่แล้ว +762

      The polar opposite of EA.

    • @brettpid6416
      @brettpid6416 5 ปีที่แล้ว +235

      yep cause buying on reseller sites is worse than just loading it
      not sure why but I guess supporting key resellers with money is worse than supporting scene groups with mere downloads from a dev perspective

    • @brettpid6416
      @brettpid6416 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      and mine

    • @AkumaADemoncus
      @AkumaADemoncus 5 ปีที่แล้ว +335

      The reason why it's a problem is if a shady reseller purchased keys using a stolen credit card. The developer gets a chargeback, loses their sale and they also get charged for that chargeback. So it ends up being even worse than piracy.
      Now I don't know how often this happens with resellers as I am sure that in most cases, the keys are just bought when the game has a heavy discount and is then sold at a profit when the game goes back to a regular or higher price.

    • @SabbyNeko
      @SabbyNeko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +242

      That's actually where I saw the game. Dev even was commenting in the Pirate Bay page. That alone got a symbolic purchase out of me, really had no idea if I'd even play it.
      Turned out to be one of the best games I've ever played.

  • @ButchBirdie
    @ButchBirdie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2835

    Darkwood is just a constant feeling of "well, something just happened. I don't know what, why, or how, but it's got twelve hands and is running towards me at warp speeds and speaking backwards so I think it's time to leave"

    • @onyourleft9273
      @onyourleft9273 3 ปีที่แล้ว +130

      That’s......oddly accurately

    • @Dis_Dis
      @Dis_Dis 3 ปีที่แล้ว +72

      Oddly specific

    • @evrfreez
      @evrfreez 3 ปีที่แล้ว +90

      Monday mornings at the office, amirite?

    • @onyourleft9273
      @onyourleft9273 3 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      @@evrfreez What you work at the scp foundation or something?

    • @memestogo7318
      @memestogo7318 3 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Ah i remember the first time i entered the swamp village. 2 of those mofos sprung up and i immediately NOPED and whipped out my shogun

  • @KeramatZMode
    @KeramatZMode 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3817

    Magical Kalashnikov on a magical wolfman.
    Hire me disney.

    • @matt6273
      @matt6273 5 ปีที่แล้ว +151

      What with the talk of Stalker and all, I’m imagining a Bandit with a wizard hat running around yelling “CHEEKIUS-BREEKIUS”

    • @oliverallen5324
      @oliverallen5324 5 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      @@matt6273all in a slav squat

    • @SSchithFoo
      @SSchithFoo 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I dont get it

    • @alexhong1117
      @alexhong1117 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      SSchithFoo western spy

    • @PresidentFunnyValentine
      @PresidentFunnyValentine 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @The South or just watch a few of Boris' video.

  • @EnclaveTrooper1
    @EnclaveTrooper1 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4345

    "You can't avoid conflict if conflict is breaking down your window." I wish more people acknowledged it.

    • @ManFromTheFizz
      @ManFromTheFizz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Totally

    • @wayfarinstranger9962
      @wayfarinstranger9962 3 ปีที่แล้ว +201

      Yeah I have a hard time understanding fight or flight. One time this guy covered in leather walked into my gym and I ended up fucking him in the ass after we fought.

    • @user-pj1ec5om5g
      @user-pj1ec5om5g 3 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      Wayfarin Stranger aniki...

    • @curseyehamewho
      @curseyehamewho 3 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      @Mandeep singh it's just manly bro

    • @l.b6906
      @l.b6906 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Wtf is going on, how does that have anything to do with wat he said

  • @Airay552
    @Airay552 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3619

    I live in Lapland Finland and can confirm that our forests are full of dangerous woodcutters.

    • @Andriej69
      @Andriej69 6 ปีที่แล้ว +442

      In reality polish forest's biggest danger are drunk hunters notorious for confusing anyone and anything with a boar

    • @az12223
      @az12223 6 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      Airay552 i feel you man i am on The swedish side!

    • @vincentmuyo
      @vincentmuyo 6 ปีที่แล้ว +73

      As a Swedish sometimes woodcutter, I think I should feel slightly offended.

    • @OttoVonGarfield
      @OttoVonGarfield 6 ปีที่แล้ว +171

      Don't forget all the werewolves and people-eating trees. I'm surprised the Finnish government hasn't done something by now.

    • @NodDisciple1
      @NodDisciple1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      max larsen What about Mustakrakish The Lake Troll?

  • @tyrant351
    @tyrant351 ปีที่แล้ว +262

    I think the reverse stamina thing of “slow attack uses less stamina” is actually genius. It’s more exhausting to swing shit fast than it is to swing it slow and try to preempt it. Splitting logs doesn’t just use inertia after all, it needs FORCE.

  • @slimeprivilege
    @slimeprivilege 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1324

    "polish apartments don't get this bad'
    i think Ross would say otherwise...

    • @adenowirus
      @adenowirus 6 ปีที่แล้ว +186

      "Neighbor below us hired an inspector for their apartment, he drilled a hole in their wall and water started coming out" - Ross Scott, June 20th 2018

    • @sobrev1viente
      @sobrev1viente 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Mexicans apartments do.

    • @Morec0
      @Morec0 5 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      There is no Ross - only Mold Man.

    • @planescaped
      @planescaped 5 ปีที่แล้ว +50

      Mandalore and Ross Scott really remind me of each other more than Mandalore and Sseth.

    • @predator3299
      @predator3299 4 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      Ross has been consumed by the mold.

  • @coneberry6905
    @coneberry6905 2 ปีที่แล้ว +483

    13:28 Oh i know this one!(spoilers)
    The dreams affect the real world, cause they're not dreams, but hallucinations you get from injecting yourself with mushroom essence. It's why you only "dream" after getting a skill. In prologue the doctor injects you with it and you hallucinate that the house gets attacked by chompers, while it's actually being attacked by villagers. The burnt doctors bag you find in a village bonfire also supports this.
    The protagonist is a soldier on an expedition to the forest. Before the story begins the protagonist and his squad gets ambushed by the local savages, beaten and tied to trees(you can find the tied up bodies in the swamp). Protag. somehow manages to escape, but with his visor broken, it's just a useless burden, so he finds a scarecrow and switches clothes with it(you can find the hazmat suit on a scarecrow rack in swamp). He almost makes it to the doctors house, but collapses.
    The plague makes copies of its inhabitants, but it doesn't differentiate between organic and inorganic materials. The most notable example is the trader, who is actually a copy of the protagonist while he still had his hazmat suit on and before being affected and turned agressive. He also has a journal and key 21, but they're white thus associated with the plague.

    • @poopsiepup1192
      @poopsiepup1192 2 ปีที่แล้ว +65

      Where did you find the lore for this game? I beat it a year ago and saw some cool stuff on a 4chan dump back then but could never find it again. The trader being a copy of the protag floored me.

    • @anudev2921
      @anudev2921 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      @@poopsiepup1192 there is a detailed steam post about this

    • @markusharroldhailey6688
      @markusharroldhailey6688 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Dude i never knew about this, im glad i rewatched this video and explore the Comment section again

  • @prowokator
    @prowokator 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2387

    The art style you were looking for is pretty much what Zdzislaw Beksinski did with his paintings. Have fun looking at those things (seriously worth googling for)

    • @andrewrobertson3894
      @andrewrobertson3894 5 ปีที่แล้ว +190

      You weren't kidding. Thanks for the recommendation.

    • @prowokator
      @prowokator 5 ปีที่แล้ว +131

      @@andrewrobertson3894 you're welcome! Truly amazing paintings, a shame he didn't name them so googling for a certain piece is rather tricky :D

    • @andrewrobertson3894
      @andrewrobertson3894 5 ปีที่แล้ว +57

      @@prowokator Ha, you're right about all the untitled work. If he was really painting (his?) dreams , I'm interested to find out about his history. Even his more abstract stuff feels almost sinister, not that I know anything about art lol. Well, except for knowing what I like.

    • @prowokator
      @prowokator 5 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      @@andrewrobertson3894 I think the 2nd world war left a mark in his young mind for sure, if I recall correctly hus wikipedia page has more infornation on his background and life. Spoiler alert, it didn't end in a peaceful way :( Knowing what you like is enough :) He does have rather unique way of using colour and brushes in general, I love it! Great to hear I got someone interested of him! :)

    • @planescaped
      @planescaped 5 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      Yeah, Darkwood has a very Beksinski art style about it.
      I really liked the game.

  • @josh7435
    @josh7435 6 ปีที่แล้ว +420

    "Hey, look what I bought at Wolfman Target!"

  • @shadowcatkill69
    @shadowcatkill69 6 ปีที่แล้ว +638

    Some elements do feel like STALKER, true, but it felt waaaayyyy more like Pathologic to me. The sound design, the eldritch horror, the doctor, the "we're closed off from the outside world !" plotline (stalker has that too but if i recall correctly you can get out of the Zone at any time, unlike darkwood and pathologic)...

    • @leon30517
      @leon30517 6 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      Shadowcat PATHOLOGIC YES

    • @rudolph2937
      @rudolph2937 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I know i'm late, but you can't leave the zone in stalker

    • @SapFeaRon
      @SapFeaRon 4 ปีที่แล้ว +48

      @@rudolph2937 You can in canon ending in COP. Actually aside from plot nothing prevents you from leaving the zone lore wise..

    • @rudolph2937
      @rudolph2937 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@SapFeaRon I never said that its phisically impossible leave the zone, thats stupid. I just said that you can't leave the zone in-game the way op described

    • @mr.strugglesnuggle6668
      @mr.strugglesnuggle6668 4 ปีที่แล้ว +67

      @@rudolph2937 You didn't understand what OP meant. Imagine putting yourself in the shoes of a stalker wandering the zone filled with horrors and mutants. You came there voluntarily in hopes of getting rich quick. No one is forcing you to stay and you can give up at any time and go back home
      Well, when the military isn't paranoid and you can't get smuggled out anyways

  • @Jimbo55151
    @Jimbo55151 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4246

    God Eastern Europe just needs a big ole hug doesn't it?

    • @BitterCynical
      @BitterCynical 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1063

      Keep your touchy feely to yourself unless you want a painful end by broken bottle.

    • @konsyjes
      @konsyjes 6 ปีที่แล้ว +216

      i think america needs a bigger hug. We just dont like to admit it.

    • @oldaccount9190
      @oldaccount9190 6 ปีที่แล้ว +109

      ikr xD im easter european, i have such dark ideas even way darker then this game

    • @adenowirus
      @adenowirus 6 ปีที่แล้ว +282

      We consider ourselves to be part of "Central Europe".

    • @valibrave
      @valibrave 6 ปีที่แล้ว +68

      That sounded gay and sissy af

  • @vaultdweller94
    @vaultdweller94 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1961

    mandalore a day keeps the noose away

    • @AVWUVU
      @AVWUVU 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Vault But not for long, only 15:20 left

    • @fakenews6133
      @fakenews6133 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      But he only uploads every few weeks

    • @Turtleproof
      @Turtleproof 6 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      Wrong, wrong, wrong, the noose remains close, but, "Not today, old friend." It keeps the noose at bay.

    • @chiefmaggot360
      @chiefmaggot360 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Fa Kenews ...so you rewatch -_-

    • @DinnerForkTongue
      @DinnerForkTongue 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      edgy

  • @cubablue602
    @cubablue602 ปีที่แล้ว +95

    The sound of a snapping twig outside at night has never made me feel like this. First playthrough and those first few nights are genuinely terrifying. Terrific horror game with terrific sound and terrific music.

  • @TheLManS
    @TheLManS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    I remember when I first saw this review having never heard of Darkwood before, I stopped after three minutes and bought the game immediately on Steam. Now, almost a year later, several playtroughs, over 40 hours in-game and every achievement, I still think fondly of this game. Thanks, Mandalore!

  • @Bandstand
    @Bandstand 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1921

    I binged all your reviews about a week ago. Why are your videos so addicting? I don't even play video games.

    • @kafkabigmon
      @kafkabigmon 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Oh hey Im subbed to you

    • @seekyunbounded9273
      @seekyunbounded9273 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Do you know about ross scots game dungeon? You rinse it on accursed farms channel, it scratches me in similar away

    • @Thomas_Angelo
      @Thomas_Angelo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Play this game and you'll be a gamer.

    • @kdawg2468
      @kdawg2468 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Same dude, idk what it is about Mandaloregaming but I can't get enough of his videos

    • @bagfootbandit8745
      @bagfootbandit8745 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I'm on a re-watch binge three years after this comment o/
      Mandalore, you're great entertainment in addition to great reviews. My wallet will never recover

  • @goliver9991
    @goliver9991 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1473

    oh damn, scary game with no intentional jumpscares ? im sold, thanks papa Mandalore

    • @blackknightz5036
      @blackknightz5036 6 ปีที่แล้ว +74

      in my point of view any game that have intentionally jumpscares automatically became cheap

    • @DinnerForkTongue
      @DinnerForkTongue 6 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Black Knightz
      Silent Hill 2 has a single jumpscare over halfway through. Good to know you consider it cheap.

    • @C0C0L0QUIN
      @C0C0L0QUIN 5 ปีที่แล้ว +46

      @@DinnerForkTongue Amnesia the Dark Descent also has exactly one. Having one is ok. It can actually help you release some tension, which is good for pacing. The problem becomes when its the main "weapon" of a game to scare you. Darkwood, Silent Hill or Amnesia use ambience and context to keep a lingering sensation of something not being right that lasts beyond particular set pieces of an ugly thing going "boo".
      Five Nights and Freddy won't make you more scared of darkness or animatronics than you were before playing, but Darkwood or Amnesia will certainly have an effect for some time even when you are not playing.

    • @DinnerForkTongue
      @DinnerForkTongue 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@C0C0L0QUIN
      I know and agree, I was just taking the piss out of people that generalise.

    • @mattmurray6125
      @mattmurray6125 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Minim it’s called the banshee

  • @IamSpacedad
    @IamSpacedad 6 ปีที่แล้ว +304

    It's interesting how they didn't set out to make jump scares in this game. Instead any jump scare moments arise organically from the game's systems and ambience.

  • @Hazard0ss
    @Hazard0ss 3 ปีที่แล้ว +74

    The relief you feel in this game when a night is over matches that of beating a dark souls boss after 50 tries. It's so great.

  • @vincentvandogh2294
    @vincentvandogh2294 6 ปีที่แล้ว +150

    I at first also got the "True Ending" by accident, but during my second playthrough, I noticed that the game gives you hints through the dream sequences that "lying down" and "going to bed" is the choice that the Being is trying to lure you into.

    • @Bananenbauer123
      @Bananenbauer123 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Holy, I'm reading this 6 years later and I remember laying down in the grave next to the laughing corpse.. that's kinda blowing my mind rn.

  • @MrGeremyTibbles
    @MrGeremyTibbles 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1985

    I'm still kind of shocked that Darkwood does me a big frighten despite it being top down

    • @MandaloreGaming
      @MandaloreGaming  6 ปีที่แล้ว +640

      Exactly! I thought I was in for a bad time and it sold me in less than 10 minutes.

    • @royal2852
      @royal2852 6 ปีที่แล้ว +245

      That's what good sound design gets ya.

    • @nks406
      @nks406 6 ปีที่แล้ว +226

      I thought it would be a good for me as my first horror game because i can be scared by anything, and a top down game cant be that scary. Then i went underground to check out that door....

    • @jurassic420
      @jurassic420 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Geremy Tibbles shook

    • @chrisossu2070
      @chrisossu2070 6 ปีที่แล้ว +275

      And ironically it was made by devs who confessed to being too afraid to play other horror games. I guess not having much prior exposure meant they could approach the genre from a fresh perspective.

  • @LiveLNXgaming
    @LiveLNXgaming 2 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Darkwood captures the Lovecraft feeling I wanted better than anything else I have played. It was so good.

  • @martinnolhaf3151
    @martinnolhaf3151 5 ปีที่แล้ว +283

    "This is a cursed polish forest, that's almost as scary as a normal finnish forest" xD

    • @orionion
      @orionion 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Is that an isolated joke or is that some kind of a reference to something?

    • @martinnolhaf3151
      @martinnolhaf3151 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@orionion as a reI think. Also finland is a country with only a few people and big forests. Would you be comfortable there??

    • @szymondrozdzinski7777
      @szymondrozdzinski7777 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@martinnolhaf3151 in poland you have an region that called "Podlasie" search this in google or youtube

    • @makandalp
      @makandalp ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@martinnolhaf3151 yes, forests are amazing and they are the source of all life.

  • @LeporidaeLadyHunter
    @LeporidaeLadyHunter 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1107

    The most infuriating part of these reviews is that I want to watch the spoiler sections just to hear you talk about the games more.

    • @aFewBitsShort
      @aFewBitsShort 4 ปีที่แล้ว +61

      I watched it. I shouldn't have watched it.

    • @TheJommy34
      @TheJommy34 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@aFewBitsShort Same

    • @Sorain1
      @Sorain1 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Watch without spoilers. Play Game. Watch again, WITH spoilers.

  • @piggosalternateaccount4917
    @piggosalternateaccount4917 6 ปีที่แล้ว +594

    Great review, i was blown away by Darkwood and i'm so glad its released.
    Honestly, it feels sorta like those really good top down flash games you'd find on flash game websites 2009-2013 ish. The type that as a kid you'd go "wow this is great" and i'm so glad that style has resurged in this format.

    • @dud5606
      @dud5606 6 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      The Autismo Piggo There was one that was quite similar where you played as a Van Helsing type dude and went through different stages killing all the werewolves and shit. Really impressed me when I was a young kid, unfortunately I forgot its name :(

    • @piggosalternateaccount4917
      @piggosalternateaccount4917 6 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck i remember that one
      Its such a shame theres so many, but at the same time i'm glad they're still being made. Its like music, even when you find a killer track you know theres millions out there you'd love as well.

    • @Sassy_Witch
      @Sassy_Witch 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      there was one who went in a similiar way. Something about dark beasts afraid of the "big light in the sky"

    • @AsianTheDomination
      @AsianTheDomination 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      i used to play the shit out of endless war 3.

    • @thebeyblademaniac
      @thebeyblademaniac 6 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      That thing about the flash game stuff really speaks to me.
      Playing the game feels like playing one of those old hidden gem flash games on a random game site back in the 2000s days.

  • @skeletonwizard708
    @skeletonwizard708 6 ปีที่แล้ว +159

    Ever since my first night in Minecraft, this has been the Survival Horror game I've wanted. Thanks for the recommendation Mandalore!

  • @LockingMyPant
    @LockingMyPant 6 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    the defend them self with magic...magic kalashnikov i chuckle almost spit my food

  • @Craft2299
    @Craft2299 6 ปีที่แล้ว +367

    Darkwood is way scary the first time. Second playtrough, a flipping breeze. Something to do with player confidence growing as he progresses the game. Thank you for shedding some... light to darkwood. I honestly feel like the game deserves more attention. A horror game, pretty much like a fairytale, that is also GTA2 :P

    • @gamerlost526
      @gamerlost526 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Yeah, when you get used to the eldritch horrors and avoid them you can get more confident, but it doesn't make it any less dangerous, IMO.

    • @SabbyNeko
      @SabbyNeko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      Honestly, this is true for most horror games. Fear of the unknown has a shelf life.

    • @Gigaa666
      @Gigaa666 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Thats why i rarely play/read/watch something the second time. It was the same for me with S.T.A.L.K.E.R, the first time when you know nothing of story and world is just perfect. Second playthrough is not that magical any more.

    • @CrizzyEyes
      @CrizzyEyes 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      It was the same way for me with RE2make. Terrifying the first time, and then still fun but less scary when you play as Claire because you know the layout of most of the areas. Good horror plays on suspense and not just surprise. You know something out there is going to hurt you, you just don't know how, when, and sometimes not even what.

    • @hubbabubba5177
      @hubbabubba5177 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Gigaa666 try anomaly. It hits the magical feat of a living world. The ai is so good, you'll get horror jump scares and panic, just from the random ai interactions.

  • @SkeletonContainer
    @SkeletonContainer 6 ปีที่แล้ว +330

    E.Y.E, Shogo,Republic Commando and now this. Good thing you only upload every two weeks otherwise I wouldn't have money to eat.

    • @Axra727
      @Axra727 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Gordonsnake 2000

  • @candymandan
    @candymandan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    I'm a gigantic wuss when it comes to horror movies/games. I really appreciate in-depth reviews like this that can let me experience the story and dread of a game like this, without having to put myself through the misery of playing it. It's exciting to be scared, but I wouldn't "be able" to put myself through it on my own.

  • @Sharahdogmeat
    @Sharahdogmeat 6 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    also look up Zdzisław Beksiński, his art I feel is a huge inspiration for this game

    • @adenowirus
      @adenowirus 6 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I've got strong Beksiński vibes while playing Primordia.

  • @jordangober7316
    @jordangober7316 6 ปีที่แล้ว +119

    the game is also free on pirate bay, the developers uploaded it there.

    • @FourSevenTwenty
      @FourSevenTwenty 6 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Führer des Benutzers I just downloaded it and beat it 3 days ago. It’s legit.

    • @iiwi758
      @iiwi758 6 ปีที่แล้ว +232

      As weird as it might appear, it is legit. This is what they said:
      "If you don’t have the money and want to play the game, we have a safe torrent on the Pirate Bay of the latest version of Darkwood (1.0 hotfix 3), completely DRM-free. There’s no catch, no added pirate hats for characters or anything like that. We have just one request: if you like Darkwood and want us to continue making games, consider buying it in the future, maybe on a sale, through Steam, GOG or Humble Store. But please, please, don’t buy it through any key reselling site. By doing that, you’re just feeding the cancer that is leeching off this industry."

    • @FoddyFogHorn
      @FoddyFogHorn 6 ปีที่แล้ว +79

      Woah. Those guys are amazing.

    • @jeffvella9765
      @jeffvella9765 5 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@iiwi758 wow, I'm sold.

  • @thehandsomearrow4516
    @thehandsomearrow4516 6 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    "Er yeah it's j ust a couple rocks for this full magazine of ammo... But I gave you a couple lanterns the other day"
    *Click-click* "Noice"

    • @Nalhy
      @Nalhy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The Handsome Arrow COMMUNISM the game

  • @gssarin2765
    @gssarin2765 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    A year late, but rather than "bioarboribus" as trees are alive, maybe "anthroarboreal" or "zooarboribus."

  • @icantbelieveitsnotbutter9371
    @icantbelieveitsnotbutter9371 3 ปีที่แล้ว +79

    3:20 The genre is magical realism, and a lot of theme/style influence comes from the works of the Polish painter Zdzislaw Beksinski. His work centers on themes of nihilism, war, and destruction, and has recurring imagery of bodies melting and morphing into one another, decaying and rotting, and lots of mushrooms. All of these influences can be seen in this game.

    • @headphonic8
      @headphonic8 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      This isn't magical realism. There is no realism in this game. It's just fantasy horror.

    • @anusaukko6792
      @anusaukko6792 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@headphonic8 Considering this is the average polish persons route to the store, I'd say its pretty realistic.

  • @JPLboy12
    @JPLboy12 6 ปีที่แล้ว +73

    Mandalore, you are one of the few game reviewers I actually enjoy listening to! Keep up the great videos! I don't know if you have gotten a request for this or not but check out a game called Exanima! Just be warned though, the controls are really funky at first and will take you many hours just to get comfortable, but the gameplay and tense encounters make it one of the most rewarding games I've played! Just a tip though, play the arena mode first so you can get good at the controls before taking on the story mode!

  • @raycearcher5794
    @raycearcher5794 6 ปีที่แล้ว +58

    My favorite Eastern European jerkaround ending is still Cryostasis. How do you top a game where your ally is the ghost of a nuclear reactor and your enemies are monsters made of furniture and guilt? Why, by playing a hybrid of star castle and lights out against Kronus, OF COURSE.

  • @surnamnam7604
    @surnamnam7604 5 ปีที่แล้ว +193

    Bioarboribus sounds cool but trees are part of the "bio" so here's my attempt on something that mixes animal with vegetal:
    Zooanthemum
    IPA: /'zʊæθɪməm/
    Noun,
    Biological construct that displays the characteristics of both vegetal and animal organisms.
    Example: I am Groot.
    Etymology: zoo- ancient greek prefix for animal and -anthemum, ancient greek suffix for flower.

    • @emeraldblack842
      @emeraldblack842 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I want this in the dictionary now.

    • @Whatsuppbuddies
      @Whatsuppbuddies 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Digicraftmon the Crystal Gem half bear

  • @pabloescolar_
    @pabloescolar_ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I didn't realize this while playing but damn the sound design is freaking amazing, moving furniture around and renovating your house has never been so scary

  • @WeekendWarrior1
    @WeekendWarrior1 6 ปีที่แล้ว +225

    4:18
    Dat Fallout Classic Ambient Muzak.
    Patrician Core Taste, Mandalore

    • @leninthebeaniesouhacker.2459
      @leninthebeaniesouhacker.2459 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah, i also hear it, although it starts earlier at 4:12

    • @rifath8152
      @rifath8152 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Weekend Warrior Yep, Vats of Goo.

    • @JJ3E
      @JJ3E 5 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Recognized it immediately. Mark Morgan's Fallout soundtracks have been deeply embedded into my mind.

    • @Kamjay27
      @Kamjay27 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I knew I heard it somewhere before, but I couldn't think of where
      Thanks

    • @plugshirt1684
      @plugshirt1684 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      I would never forget that godly soundtrack

  • @jameslover7368
    @jameslover7368 6 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I found this review, loved it, and binged the rest of your content over the weekend. You're absolutely fantastic.

  • @onelethargicguy_7608
    @onelethargicguy_7608 4 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    I started this game on hard and the spook factor when up like 10x for me because I know if i die only 3 times my save data will be deleted. That made the monsters a lot more scary because dying actually had a major consequence. I ended up beating the game on hard as well with only 1 life remaining. Spooky shit man.

  • @ubermaster134
    @ubermaster134 6 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Great video 5:14 Finland mentioned!

    • @gestaltengine6369
      @gestaltengine6369 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Explain pls?

    • @bumba7220
      @bumba7220 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@gestaltengine6369 Finnish inside joke

    • @SuperLordGaming
      @SuperLordGaming 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Torilla tavataan!

    • @pihlajafox
      @pihlajafox 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gestaltengine6369 don't worry, I don't understand it either, and I'm from Finland

  • @Piotwor
    @Piotwor 6 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Something about the creepiness of Darkwood really gets to me, much more than anything in Silent Hills or other horror games. I'm not sure if it's the presentation, or the familiarity of the setting. It all just feels so much more... grounded, I suppose?

  • @therealCG62
    @therealCG62 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thanks for selling me on this. I'd seen the game before, but the marketing put me off of it (YOULL NEVER BELIEVE TOPDOWN CAN BE SCARY! WATCH THIS REACTION VIDEO!), and had you not made this I probably would have missed out on this gem.
    The exact moment the game itself won me over? Night 2. I'm huddled in a corner praying for sunrise, hearing movement outside... And then someone knocks on my door. Not frantically, not trying to break in, just slow, methodical knocking. Something about it horrified me, and I was hooked.

  • @dannyleeracing
    @dannyleeracing 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I bought Darkwood because of this review and I absolutely loved it. I love your review temperament. I'd say style, but you don't make it all about you, so yeah, that's awesome.

  • @deadwaste1
    @deadwaste1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Your review convinced me to try this out, I have now about 120 hours on it...

  • @TooMuchSascha
    @TooMuchSascha 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Your video got me to buy this game, but the first time I realized something special was on my hands was when I hid in my house for a routine night, and some kind of howling noise (A dog? A person?) that normally only played at sunset continued on into the dark of the night. Then about 30 feet from my house, a light appeared. Through the window slats I couldn't make it out but I could tell there was a light near my home. I didn't dare leave the safety of my house. I sat in the corner with a lantern and a nailboard at the ready repeatedly telling myself not to investigate the light.

  • @gibshit4118
    @gibshit4118 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    “Imagine Giger but he’s a little bit less Swiss”, you’re too funny

  • @ThatLadinPlaid
    @ThatLadinPlaid 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I've been binging your reviews, even ones on games I had no intention of playing. They're so well crafted, written and paced. I hope you continue to make more in the future.

  • @SvengelskaBlondie
    @SvengelskaBlondie 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    13:55 It truly does, having it explained makes it go from mystical to mundane.

  • @InsanityAtNight
    @InsanityAtNight 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My god your channel is amazing. Been watching since your 13 review. Love it!

  • @T0mN7
    @T0mN7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I remember surviving for many days by just blocking everything and staying away from windows... I'd hear things outside but nothing would happen. That went on for a while, until one night I decided I wanted to "see" what was lurking outside. What I hadn't taken into consideration is that I too would be seen. They tore down the barricades in seconds, and swarmed me even faster. 10/10 would have a heart attack again.

  • @Thesavagesouls
    @Thesavagesouls 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    *A quote from Alan Wake*
    Stephen King once wrote that “Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there’s little fun to be had in explanations; they’re antithetical to the poetry of fear.” In a horror story, the victim keeps asking "Why?" But there can be no explanation, and there shouldn’t be one. The unanswered mystery is what stays with us the longest, and it’s what we’ll remember in the end.

  • @coveherbert6035
    @coveherbert6035 6 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    "Sounds like Snoopy's back from his walk. Hey, look what I bought from Wolf Man Target." I'm so glad I found this channel

  • @shinysparkles92
    @shinysparkles92 6 ปีที่แล้ว +291

    ♂OW♂MY♂SHOULDER♂

  • @ArcaneAzmadi
    @ArcaneAzmadi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It's a tiny detail, but I think they made a brilliant decision in making your quick attack cost more stamina than your slow, wind-up power attack. This emphasises the utility of a quick interrupting hit, rather than just breaking them into "light attack" and "heavy attack" where heavy is basically just equal to 2-3 lights.

  • @n-signia1087
    @n-signia1087 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    3:16 Darkwood is like Giger and more of a lesser known guy called Strzylkowski. Less steel and flesh so much as wood and chitin. I think people will like his work.

  • @rotcandidate9823
    @rotcandidate9823 6 ปีที่แล้ว +127

    this game kinda reminds me of this war of mine, not because of the art or imagery, just because of how goddamn bleak it is

    • @BlackWolf9988
      @BlackWolf9988 5 ปีที่แล้ว +35

      Welcome to eastern europe

    • @HungPham-qq6me
      @HungPham-qq6me 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Well in this war of mine you can run a booze empire, I doubt you can do that here...

    • @thefutureisnowoldman7653
      @thefutureisnowoldman7653 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@HungPham-qq6me Eh you kinda of can

  • @SpecShadow
    @SpecShadow 6 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Stop dragging me - Sofa
    Aiming remind me Deus Ex - damage is barely changed with weapon proficiency but aiming time is different if you trained barely or much more . Just like in real life.
    10:43 Dodge Viper 126p rlz, still got that little beast

  • @sebastianvelcro
    @sebastianvelcro 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    When I watch Mandalore videos it feels like I am briefly without terror.

  • @Gormathius
    @Gormathius 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    10:33 Titles like these actually come up IRL too: The doughnut man. I'm sure everyone has someone like this in their life, a person who does or provides something specific and so you just know them as the thing you associate them with.

  • @fistfullofsalt6311
    @fistfullofsalt6311 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The thing about the lore of this game is it was to my understanding that it was left up to the players imagination with some subtle hints here and there, the biggest theory that I had about 'the being' was that it could communicate through radio waves, always speaking to the protagonist through the radio in one way or another, and when you get to the radio station you see the guy in the bed, whether he was alive or dead was unknown to us, but he had root like veins pulsating from his body that led out into the forest as if it was that man's mind connected to this entire plague that was affecting everyone in it. That was my own personal theory about the game, and I think when you leave these idea up to the player it can be truly terrifying. The idea that all of it was a dream of someone else and you were just living in it unknowingly and unwillingly. True horror. Love these games when no one is truly right or wrong about the games story. This game deserves all of it's praise.

  • @UnexpectedGamer7
    @UnexpectedGamer7 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I bought Darkwood because of this video. Just finished it and loved every bit of it! Such a fantastic game with an amazing atmosphere.

  • @vitalixy3578
    @vitalixy3578 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I seriously have to thank you Mandalore. I discovered this game a few years ago because of you and am about to start my 4th playthrough for this October. This is by far the best horror game I've played and overall one of my all time favorite games.

  • @dd4nt388
    @dd4nt388 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just love your reviews! Wish it was more often, but it would ruin the very well written and researched content! Thank you for your work!

  • @OttoVonGarfield
    @OttoVonGarfield 6 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I hope somebody picks up that phone... BECAUSE I FUCKIIIING CALLED IT!!!

    • @francesco8000
      @francesco8000 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Frieza did it.

    • @chaosherald8879
      @chaosherald8879 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought it would be Kholat, but... meh.

  • @ellisartwist
    @ellisartwist 6 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    Isn't bioarboribus is little redundant? Isn't a tree alive by default?

    • @konsyjes
      @konsyjes 6 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      maybe animarboric or denrozoic

    • @ellisartwist
      @ellisartwist 6 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      blantanttrashaccount fgd I thought the joke was just that the word was made up because he couldn't adequately describe it.

    • @konsyjes
      @konsyjes 6 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      there was no joke

    • @guilhermesfk
      @guilhermesfk 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Maybe Androarboric would be a better fit. But not as funny so...

    • @dusksentry5836
      @dusksentry5836 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      What about necroboribus

  • @HulaHoopzz
    @HulaHoopzz 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great channel glad I found it! I love your reviews and your calming voice keep up the good work man!

  • @nicholasviall2881
    @nicholasviall2881 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Man, your stuff is always great. Good work!

  • @paulcloete4384
    @paulcloete4384 6 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Please oh please review Arcanum! Its an amazing top down RPG back from 2001, published by Sierra and is one of their best titles.

    • @Vedlom
      @Vedlom 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's on the list.

    • @paulcloete4384
      @paulcloete4384 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      No its not... I looked and couldn't find it.

    • @heyyitsultima
      @heyyitsultima 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      I've adored this game for years just because of it's artwork. I've never actually played past the initial 30 minute mark because I hadn't dedicated the time to it. Maybe now that I don't have so many games to burn through, I should check it out...

    • @paulcloete4384
      @paulcloete4384 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dude you totally should, its absolutely worth it.

    • @seb24789
      @seb24789 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      BTW. where there ever some patches for it? Like making guns not useless?

  • @OmnipotentGoggles
    @OmnipotentGoggles 6 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    10/10 Sufficiently bioarboribus.

  • @1996Grudge
    @1996Grudge 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Your reviews are so damn good. Why you have only 80k subs is beyond me...

  • @thebestnameeva
    @thebestnameeva 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I hadn't heard about this game before your review, thank you so much for introducing it to me. I finished it today and it was fantastic

  • @doctoradventure413
    @doctoradventure413 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'd love to see another horror game in this style from these devs

  • @usfultriks
    @usfultriks 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Dismissed this as another of 'those' indie games when I saw on steam, but there's really more to it. I think I'll buy it soon thanks to you. Great review as always.
    Also, would love to see a video on the Harebrained Shadowrun games from you.

    • @mishatarkus
      @mishatarkus 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Can I ask what's your personal opinion on them?
      I find Returns is borderline a bad game but Dragonfall and Hong Kong were pretty good. I do find the writing gets way too political at times, but that's kind of a problem carried over from the tabletop.

    • @usfultriks
      @usfultriks 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Returns definitely has a mobile game feel to it and is really the worst of the three in pretty much every way. (One good thing about it is that you can play it in Dragonfall engine.)
      Dragonfall, however, improved on every aspect of Returns. Interesting characters, a decent story and a really good soundtrack.
      Some argue that Hong Kong is not as good as Dragonfall, but I think it's just a matter of preference, because it only introduced small changes to the combat and things like that, but the characters are more fleshed out and the story is finally not as 'grandiose' as in the previous two games.
      Also, it's nice that you can get 2-3 ending or even more and I think here they mean something in a sense.
      I agree about the politics part, but I think that this just comes with the setting. I didn't mind it that much.
      A bit unrelated, but just yesterday they showed screenshots from their new game on twitter and it looked pretty good, but I'd rather have a new Shadowrun to be honest.
      I didn't really like turn based games before and I'm still not a big fan, but I think if you like the setting they are the best you can get aside from the SNES version.
      All in all, nothing groundbreaking in my opinion, but they're worth playing for the characters and the setting if nothing else, and it's nice that the three games are not connected aside from a few minor references.

  • @joshuasears4566
    @joshuasears4566 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just watching you play this scared the crap out of me. I like that you review a lot of smaller developer games that I might not have thought about playing otherwise.

  • @TheEvilShepard
    @TheEvilShepard 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just found this channel, been watching through the videos. This is great. Good job and thanks for quality content.

  • @Penguinsfishing
    @Penguinsfishing 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Fallout music in a Darkwood review. Excellent

  • @nepnep3623
    @nepnep3623 6 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Fallout 1 music in the background nice

  • @stuffedmannequin
    @stuffedmannequin 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bought this game during the winter sale because of this review. Absolutely in love with it. Thank you for bringing it exposure.

  • @n0isyturtle
    @n0isyturtle 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Super looking forward to Acid Wizard's next game

  • @kajetansokolnicki5714
    @kajetansokolnicki5714 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    "There are roots growing under all the furniture - Polish apartments don't get THIS bad"... They do.

  • @Foxfady
    @Foxfady ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Free on epic yall

  • @marcfuentes5579
    @marcfuentes5579 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I do like the vibe that Mandalore is like a really knowledgeable friend telling you about this game he’s playing and adding in a funny here and there. Very comfortable

  • @Yt-jc5sj
    @Yt-jc5sj 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really like your reviews. I was already decided to play Darkwood but still wanted to watch your video. I even watch the reviews of games I own but haven't had time to try: they are informative and very concise when it comes to gameplay: I actually feel like I'm getting good tips on how to get started on the games. It's something many reviewers lack imo

  • @Griff00
    @Griff00 6 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Mandalore you ever try out Silent Storm or Pathologic? They might be games you'd wanna check out.

    • @nikbond188
      @nikbond188 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Agreed. Silent Storm is probably on of the best Turn based strategies on the market

    • @Griff00
      @Griff00 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      The characters and destruction physics in it are fucking fantastic.

    • @Dudebrotheguy
      @Dudebrotheguy 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Stop commenting you had me at turn based strategy

  • @dax7574
    @dax7574 5 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Saw your review.
    Avoided spoiler part of the video
    got the game.
    Played it calmly and enjoying every moment of it and....
    Man, thank you! A lot! It's been realy long since I enjoyed a game so much. I got here right after finnishing it properly and now I'ma watch your spoiler part as the cherry on top.
    Again, thank you for the awesome review that got me to buy this gem.

  • @josszarnick2393
    @josszarnick2393 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    I appreciate these videos, helps me find games I wouldn’t play normally. Thanks mang

  • @melcknis
    @melcknis 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I found your channel recently because of den reviews and I remember seeing this game on TH-cam but for the love of me could not find it so thank you for reviewing games that most don't.

  • @Turtleproof
    @Turtleproof 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    2:15 someone reacting to something in-game to something ghastly is one of my favorite things. I watched this review before I got Darkwood and this scene STILL rattled me.

  • @TheJubbert
    @TheJubbert 6 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    10:22 that scared the shit out of me and then i laughed

  • @T0ly113
    @T0ly113 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, as usual! I just looked at your list and was so happy to see boiling point on it! Probably my favorite game as a child. A few other favorites are Clonk Rage, Antichamber and Superhot.

  • @captainzobi
    @captainzobi 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I cant believe i can recall the credits of your video being the menu theme to a bugs life on ps1

  • @mangu2320
    @mangu2320 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Summary of darkwood: drunk polish person tries to get to the store

    • @vermojonson8835
      @vermojonson8835 ปีที่แล้ว

      oh to be a simple polish worker, spending the days beating monstrosities and crazy homeless people to death

  • @TheJestersDoor
    @TheJestersDoor 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is probably the greatest horror game ever made

  • @tnh723
    @tnh723 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for this video. Longtime fan here from yesrs ago. Now you famous Lord Mando!

  • @Nikkivaldheks
    @Nikkivaldheks 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your videos are something else, i have been watching so much the past week.