genuinely floored by the size of your channel. the production is so high quality and your narration is excellent i figured you had at least 100k. definitely earned my sub
No Other game gives the same level of satisfaction for simply surviving the day. Making it back to your shelter after a harrowing day in TLD is one of my favorite things in gaming.
What gets me is, even after finally returning to your shelter that doesn't guarantee safety. Do you have wood for a fire? Do you have food and/or water to consume? You can die in your shelter almost as easily as you can in the wild. Always be thinking, and preparing.
@@Kenjanz Unless your shelter is complete hole filed ruin then is hard to freeze to death in any house You would need to sleep naked for it to happen Starvation kills really slowly Unless you had a meeting with angry bear or you are already hypothermic then you got a plenty of time to find food The biggest problem is getting ill Then you are actually screwed
Living in Nova Scotia, I used to play this game during winter on my laptop. I would keep the window of my cabin open a smidge and cuddle up next to the woodstove, just to get the full experience... Even at the expense of my heating situation...
@Jeremy Tesch agreed. should've been full clad in winter clothing, mittens included, making it hard to press the buttons (for immersion). Of course, he also should've poured water on himself to really stimulate the cold weather. Smh, casuals am I right?
@Jeremy Tesch Because nature devastation is a crime and you are risking your only life in the wilds Not to mention shooting up endangered species The same reason why people play GTA instead of becoming real criminals Bushcraft is a cool thing but you need to a lot of common sense,you need to know your limits and you need a respect for nature It's wrong to be nature devastator and buglar like you are doing it in game
I can't state how much I love The Long Dark, but I think a lot of players misunderstand what makes it so great. What many people do is start on the Story Mode, get bored and never play it again. The Long Dark *is* the survival mode, and should be treated mainly as a freeroaming sandbox game with the addition of a story mode. The issue with the story mode is that you're tied in with having to complete set missions, when the pleasure of the game actually comes from choosing your own missions based on the needs of survival, and having the freedom to pick and choose your own base to set up in and stock up. There's such an indescribable feeling of satisfaction when you stock up a chosen base, neatly lining up all your resources like food, water and wood, then sheltering for a couple of days next to the fire as you listen to the wind whistling outside. It also feels amazing when you come close to death, only to cheat it. One game during a routine run for resources I was attacked by a bear, and with barely any life left and surviving off the effects of an emergency stim, I managed to crawl to a temporary shelter with moments to spare. It felt so satisfying coming so close to the end, only to gradually nurse myself back to health in a random hut with limited resources, and make my way back "home" after my ordeal. That kind of random situation felt more exciting and satisfying that most other games I've ever played. It's moments like that where you are part of a story you create, which makes TLD survival mode so good.
_when the pleasure of the game actually comes from choosing your own missions based on the needs of survival, and having the freedom to pick and choose your own base to set up in and stock up._ Totally agree! It's this style of adventure and building your own narrative that can cause you to lose countless hours of an evening, many evenings, to the Long Dark. I do think the story mode is a bit underrated for brand new survival players though, I personally found it a great way to 'learn the ropes', and was super excited to play the actual game (survival) once I was done.
The biggest mistakes the devs ever made was focusing so much time and resources on developing a story mode that 95% of the player base didn't care about. I love this game but it only keeps me entertained for a little bit at a time, I'll take a couple years break and come back, and barely anything has changed.
TLD has shown me not to fear the bears, wolves, or even the cold at this point. The real enemy is the most deadly entity in this Canadian wilderness....... that god damn killer Moose.
The moose is a walking department store. Use your bow or rifle from a position above the moose where you can get in more than one shot before the moose makes contact.
Ez supplies if you plan well and get in a good spot. Otherwise it’s a week of staying at home sewing and boiling water while you wait for your ribs to heal
The thing you didn't mention that I think is probably the best part about this game is how the creature needs (temperature, fatigue, thirst, hunger, and condition) are such well-implemented mechanics that they are so much more realistically impactful and immersive than any other survival game I have tried. In this game, I truly feel as though I am responding to the needs of a human body as it endures hardship, rather than just topping out the meters every once in a while as an afterthought so I can pay attention to the crafting tree or boss fights or multiplayer shenanigans that the developers of othergame consider to be a more interesting focus for their game. This game is more truly survival focused on survival than any other survival I have tried. It's the survivaliest of all the survivals to survival that ever survivaled.
The voice lines play a big part in that ignoring how much of a meme they all became. Along with actual consequences other then a lower condition bar for example keeping above starving gives extra carrying capacity and being low on fatigue greatly lowers movement.
@@errresh473 Not to mention it goes so much deeper. Being cold or tired, or out of stamina can effect your aim, which can cause problems like you missing an important shot. Or how you may not be able to climb or research or craft
Thanks, TLD is my favorite game as well. The only mistake the devs have made is the marketing of Story Mode. There was always great anticipation for this but then since 2014 there were some problems with getting the five episodes out. The community for this game is excellent and deserves it's own video.
My biggest regret with the video is not focusing more on Wintermute - it's such a great introduction to the mechanics of The Long Dark and has an enjoyable story - the ending of episode 3 was spectacular. I may do a video on Wintermute, it's not planned at the moment - but I agree it, and the community, could use their own 'Underrated' video. (thanks for watching / commenting btw!)
I mean to be fair they have a particular experience they want the story mode to be, remember when they completely changed the first two episodes and wiped saves due to how much of a narrative overhaul and world change it was? Takes guts to go back to existing content, and honestly assess it and then go to the extent of scrapping a lot of what you already had built and released, do the unpopular move of resetting players saves in the mode, in order to realize the devs vision for it. The heart that this game has had put into it is something to be admired and praised. One of a kind experience
Something I love about TLD is how it can surprise you even when you've got a couple hundred hours or more in. I was hunting the bear in timberwolf mountain, trying to lure it closer to the cabin by walking backward across the lake while it followed. As I did, I could feel my heartbeat starting to increase and it got to the point where it was pounding so hard it was hurting. I had to pause the game, lean back and say out loud "I'm playing a Game. Calm down." and physically sit there and wait for my pulse to settle before i went back in. And I was playing in a well lit interior in the middle of the day. And i think any game that can do that, in the first hour or the one hundredth hour, deserves high praise.
I started playing TLD right before Forlorn Muskeg was added, so I have several thousand hours in the game. The most compelling feature is one you did not mention, and may not be expected by most who haven't played. There are no do overs, it's Permadeath, and autosaves upon each bad decision you make LOL, which is what makes it even more compelling. There simply is no other game like this. My three go to games now are TLD, Valheim, and 7DTD.
The level of immersion is one of the greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses of this game. For me unless I have at least a few consecutive hours of uninterrupted time it just isn't worth starting a play session due to the time it takes to fully immerse one's mind into the long term strategy/planning and emotional trance-like state TLD all but requires to properly enjoy it. Hard to find the time somedays and I end up playing a far inferior game that I can enjoy in 30 minute intervals. It doesn't get much better than a free Saturday, a cold dark quiet room, a tumbler of whiskey, and a full day of The Long Dark.
This game has such a deep psychological feeling to it. It's an absolute escape from daily struggles in life. You, all by yourself, just keep going against all odds.
One of my FAVORITE parts of the game is the journal, where you get a space to write for each day. I love making journal entries with my experiences as if it were really happening. It helps me immerse myself and understand how I would think if I were really there.
Been following this game since it only had one zone to explore (Mystery Lake) and have always loved this game to pieces. Watching how it's grown is rewarding. It is easily in my top three games of all time and easily the best survival game I've ever played.
Heading down from Timberwolf Mountain, I enter the aspen grove that serves as a landmark indicating I'm close to home base. Blizzard conditions. I know the general direction I need to go to get to the Farmstead with my hundred pounds of gear scavenged from the plane crash. After trudging along in white-out conditions at a snail's pace for a half hour and no sight of the Farmstead, that sinking feeling has made a home in my heart. It's not that long of a walk even when overencumbered. I keep pressing forward. Hypothermia is looming over my head. Through the blowing snow I catch a glimpse of what looks like aspen trees. Then, footprints. My footprints. I had gone in a circle. I'm where I was 30 minutes ago but in worse shape. No game, has ever given me the feeling I had in that very moment.
First, when i looked at the game's videos i didn't like it i felt it's just a dumb survival game BUT when i downloaded it i enjoyed this game a lot and now its one of my top 1 survival games and its really underrated game
Thank you for this wonderful video! You narrate well and its beautifully put together. As a TLD content creator, I had an overview review video in the works, but your video really does the game justice! You did a great job summarizing the spirit of this game. Thank you for this.
@@CrumpetsBasement Can confirm. Only thing i have to say: a bit more time for the community would have been nice. Since December there is a thread philosophing about improving the endgamefor example. One of the best threads the forum has seen.
@@CrumpetsBasement i hope with honest you don't mean it negative 😇 When i read my posts later they appear always a bit angry to me which isn't supposed to be lol
Found you through reddit. As a regular tld player, this is one of the best introduction one can make about this game. To make things interesting, there's mods for this game too! My personal favourite being the pet fox mod. Great video, subbed!
Hey Bhavesh, thanks for the comment, it means a lot! And thanks for sharing Mod Support - I honestly had no idea, i'm still progressing in my current survival run, but I think i'll check out these for my next run. Thanks again for the comment, taking the time to watch, and subscribing - it means a lot!
@@realisticminecraftsteve4308 Food Pack is a great addition. I might be bias as I am the one who made the textures, but never less a solid mod. I would also keep your eyes open for the release of modded regions like Mountain Pass, which are well on their way.
Hey EGB! Hah, no problem at all - I don't really share my content that wide! Appreciate the kind words fella, hope you're doing well! Have a great New Year! :D
As a specifically a survival gamer, focusing on TLD, I find your review highly accurate. It absolutely is underrated. The scaricty creates such appreciation. Matches or a magnifying lense literally will save your life. And that mag lense is something you will trek across the map for. I personally never felt aimless, but I make my own goals. -tools -hunt -full fur outfit -bow & arrow Now I am on a quest to map the entirety of the island, "trying to escape'.
I love tld and I have some great and not so great memories of it. I remember my very first aurora, I was exploring the dam in the flickering lights and walked over a cable on the ground that was safe earlier but live now. It killed me... Another time I was struggling my way back to my main base with food poisoning, no food, no water, freezing and exhausted. Then an aurora started. Things were looking bleak and I remember thinking dieing under the aurora wouldn't be so bad
Pretty ace routine - I really like having a game I go back to at certain points of the year. I do this a lot with movies (December = Lord of The Rings marathon :D)
WOW. this video was amazing. I've been playing TLD for a few years now and this video you made captured almost every single aspect of what makes it so great. It seems just like the game, your channel may also be underrated!
I may finally buy this in steam. I've almost purchased this several times before and have always gotten cold feet thinking it may be just a boring walking simulator. Guess I'll have to find out.
Wow, this is a phenomenal video. TLD is my forever game, though as you mentioned it is not for everyone and I sometimes find it challenging to describe what it is that I love about the game to others who are not familiar with it. Now, however, I'll send your video! You are thoughtful, articulate, and comprehensive, plus the editing is excellent!
Hey Sacha - thanks for the comment, means a lot! Very glad I could capture the essence of the game for a veteran of the TLD - thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, means a lot. Have a wonderful weekend!
@@CrumpetsBasement You're welcome, you've earned my subscription. Another under-the-radar survival game is The Flame in the Flood-it is very different in style and gameplay than TLD or any of the other survival games you mentioned in your intro and won't be for everyone, but I feel that it is another hidden gem of a game. It also has a great soundtrack that fits the game perfectly. I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!
@@SachaSong-ow8zg Thanks Sacha, I vaguely recall hearing about The Flame in the Flood, but I can't say I know much about it - i'll check it out, thanks for the recommendation!
I got this game back in 2015-2016 when it was in early access and it's probably one of my favorite games to go back to when I need a break from everything else
I couldn't imagine anyone describing this game any better. This is everything that I love about this game but spoken way more eloquently than I could ever hope to.
Wow this video kept me so captivated! I almost cried it was so beautiful your explanation of the game! I’m so glad I got this game, you really made it sound like the best game ever made, and in some ways, it is.
Skyrim, at the start of the game, you find a small village and continue through the mountains. That first time when Whiterun appeared in the distance. Long dark has that same feeling. Lost near dead, wolves following, then a cabin in the distance.
All very good points and brilliantly narrated, respect :) I think I initially overlooked the game for (by the sound of it) the same reasons you did, but also as you said; the community is brilliant. I posted asking if people thought it was worth buying when I wasn't interested in the story mode, within days I had numerous large, friendly and informative responses from fans/veterans alike in the game's steam community. Bought the game barely a week ago and I've already spent about 30 hours irl surviving for 45 days in The Long Dark. Existing players are more than happy to give tips and advice, which makes the whole thing that bit more welcoming. Side note: The difficulty options deserve a good shout-out too. I'm enjoying playing on the harder settings (Which can be VERY hard) to push my limits, but there are excellently scaled lower difficulties and a custom option to tailor the experience however you want it. You can play it as a mostly non threatening exploration game, or one of the hardest survival challenges you've ever had...OR absolutely anything in between!
Hi from Belarus! Friend, you were the one who inspired me to write the story of your longtime character during the playthrough. You are cool, and in terms of aesthetics, you are great! God bless you. Sorry for my english)
Thank you Topa! And your English is much better than my Belarusian :) // Дзякуй Топа! І ваша англійская значна лепшая за маю беларускую :) (Google Translate!)
I got this game as a gift from my nephew. It stayed in my library un-played for a year and some months and when I did try an play it I started on Interloper and damn near uninstalled it. According to Steam, I'm just short of 3,000 hours in this game. It grows on you.
3000 hours, it defiitely grew on you! It's a wonderful game - i dont tend to play it as much anymore, but sometimes I get the 'itch' to go on an adventure.
Mate i have to say i came to check out GTFO and after watching that brilliant video i watched three more videos that you made without taking a break. And now i find my self watching this one even i ditched that game without giving it proper chance. But as im writing this im powering my pc ready to install it again... Thanks for that! You are unique content creator for sure and i hope and wish that many many more ppl find about you, because you my pal is the one whos underrated! You are my favorite crumpet from now on. Cheers!
Thanks Stiletto, really appreciate you taking the time to watch not one, but four of my videos! Very kind my dude. Hopefully you enjoy TLD, it's not for everyone, but you may find yourself engrossed in it this time around. Thanks again for the kind words my dude, it's very much appreciated.
Top quality review. The depth and tone of your delivery was compelling and really enjoyable. I was really surprised when you called your channel small, and it checked out. I doubt it'll be small for long. Quality work, thank you.
I misread the title and thought you said "overrated" and was ready to throw hands, good thing I read it again lol. Great video, gave me the impression you had at least 100k subs!
A long time ago I read a book about people who lived in cold climates. They had a saying: "If you can't get out of it - get into it." I think this applies both to the cold and to human solitude. We spend so much of our lives avoiding loneliness and solitude, trying to bundle away in some comfortable corner surrounded by our possessions and gadgets, that we are wholly unprepared when a winter storm knocks out the power or when one of the occasional Winters of the Soul hit - in the form of a loved one's death, sudden loss, or something else which hits us deeply. The Long Dark challenges players to "get into it." To face that solitude, loneliness, emptiness head-on. This game is a form of meditation on death, a surprisingly healthy thing as far as video games go.
I've just come back to the long dark in over a year, which is great because I have the prior knowledge of some of the world while there is so much more to explore
Well said, the production value is great and should easily deserve more of a following. I definitely recommend you should check out Green Hell if you haven't played it before, as a member of the survival gaming community that's one of my favorites, and is also very much underrated.
This was an awesome video! I just discovered TLD last year and have been addicted to it. I die constantly but get a little better each time. You did a great job of explaining just how I feel about the game, and what a unique experience it is.
one thing I might add, this game is perfect for people that listen to podcasts, it has enough substance its not mindless. but not too much to make you lose focus on the podcast
On the lower difficultys.. when playing stalker I have to constantly manage 3 different wolf packs trying to eat my ass along with doing mental 5d chess in order to predict where the bear is.
Amazing video, thank you for putting this together. I'm a sub of Accurize2 who has been playing this game for over 5 years, he was one of the original kickstarters and hasn't grown tired of playing. When this game is your thing, it is your thing for the long term ❤
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching and commenting. Accurize2 has the most recognizable TLD thumbnails on TH-cam, I can picture them perfectly hah.
This Game can make you feel, happy, angry or even scared and sad much more as many games with never intended, as a TLD player I can say that is a experience that never gone at all.
I've been playing The Long Dark since roughly 2015/2016 and it is my all-time favorite game. I recommend it to everyone I can, and I stay updated with the game via their Dev Diaries, emails. This game has such a lovely community because I have yet to find anyone toxic. New players are welcomed in with open arms and shown the ropes of how to play, but no so much to where you never learn anything new. The Dev's show so much care for the game and they actually listen to the community about concerns we have, things that would aid in gameplay or storytelling. I have yet to find a game community that actually listens to the players and makes the changes.
I don’t know why, but I love the sound of your voice. It’s…relaxing. I love the long dark too, I bought in on Xbox game preview program. I’ve been playing since there was on pleasant valley, mystery lake, and coastal highway. The game is one of the most interesting and terrifying games I’ve ever seen. Terrifying at times, such as certain caves, foggy nights, and especially when the aurora is out. Seriously, you be of the moments in gaming that stands out with me to this day is making my long trek back home to pleasant valley farmhouse after looting a region (can’t remember what region). The aurora came out after the sun set and the creepy music played as the aurora haunted the night sky. I’m walking through the woods and I see glowing yellow eyes in the dark from a big creature. A bear. I’m over encumbered. The bear, no matter how fast I tried to shuffle along, seemed to keep up pace with me. A distance threat, looming over my game and my characters life like an angel of death. I swear the thing followed me throughout half the map on my way home. Anxiety, primal fear of the hungry predator stalking me in the dark. I kept looking over my shoulder as I shuffled home, heart pounding thinking to myself…this is where it ends. And I had no flare gun to drive it off. I finally made it home while hearing howls in the dark from aurora buffed wolves. My breath shaking as I open the front door to my home and enter inside. Sanctuary. But even with one triumph in the saga of man versus the wrath of a vengeful Mother Nature. I knew I had more days and more uncertainty to deal with. Times like that will stick with me forever as a gamer. I treasure and fear them equally, but never defy them. Anyways, seriously give the game a try. You won’t regret it…or maybe…you might.
the story mode of the long dark is also really good, took me two weeks to beat the first 3 episodes and episode 4 is coming out soon. I don't play a whole lot of survival but i love the storyline in winter mute
The one huge problem for me is that it's no longer a survival game when playing story mode. You can even save your game at any point and that's why there is no challenge at all. Almost. It feels like a long walk in the park. That's how I feel. But yeah, the story is actually intriguing!
i really liked the storyline, but yea makes sense. it still was difficult for me though because just jumped right into it instead of survival mode first. especially episode 3 i really struggled with that one
They nailed the music/ambiance in this game. Might be my favorite. Totally puts you in a trance as it fluctuates depending on your current situation. It has hint of John Carpenter at times.
Yes i am editing my response to just add that you have this ability and way with words to make me want to play games like The long dark. As always well done friend, 10/10
tld's relationship with the modding community would be an interesting thing to look into as well. Hinterland have had rocky relationships with people modding their game, mostly over the idea that players could unintentionally ruin the game's balance and tone for themselves. One of the previous updates even included code that stopped the mod launcher that people had been using to create and implement mods, which was... an interesting choice. Recently, however, they've come around and the modding community is flourishing again. There's some seriously interesting mods around, and very little of them (bar a few, of course) break the intended experience as Hinterland feared. I've been a fan of this game for a few years now, and seeing the push and pull between devs who have a clearly-defined design philosophy and people who are very passionate about what tld offers has been really cool to follow. Also, if you're looking for more underrated games in saturated genres, check out Hunt: Showdown, which is my current gaming obsession. Pure gold. tl;dr game modding is cool, so is tld, support niche games
Great video and a very apt description of TLD. I'd add that the art style and beauty of this game makes it feel like you've just been dropped into a Bob Ross winter scape. Let's drop in a happy little tree here, and give him a friend. Now, let's do a big old tree. And what's Great Bear Island without a big, almighty mountain? Just drop this wolf in here and - haha, beat the devil out of it.
I went into The Long Dark blind. Hadn’t even heard of it but gamepass recommended it and it didn’t disappoint. I can definitely see how many wouldn’t enjoy it but those that do will love it. Personally this game and “the Flame in the Flood” are my favorite survival games.
Really liked this video and your previous content. I'm generally not a fan of survival games, I played about 10 hours of Subnautica and just found it boring, but one survival-ish game I really like is Kenshi. It's not a first person survival game like most are but an RTS-RPG. However, it retains most of the survival elements; you can starve, resources are scarce and injuries can linger and be fatal over time. You can play it solo like most games in the genre but you can recruit NPCs to make a squad of up to 30 and as soon as your squad is larger than 1 as long of any party members live the game continues. And with those 30 units (including recruitable dogs and pack animals) you can build a base and in time make yourself into a formidable fighting force but that really isn't going to be easy. Or you can focus on being a badass lone wolf, a trader of lots of other things. It's set in a truly original post-apocalyptic sci-fi samurai punk world where there are no guns but there are robots and lots of inventive, very dangerous creatures. You can, in time, become powerful enough to explore the most dangerous parts of the world, topple kingdoms or end slavery but there's no quests, whatever you do, it's your choice. But long before you're able to do any of that it's the one game I've played where going to the neighbouring town to buy a bag is genuinely dangerous and exciting.
Thanks ReVVAdAUL! I've heard of Kenshi / seen it on Twitch but never really dove into it - i'll go and take a look as what you said intrigues me, sounds very unique!
I'm currently doing the "As the dead sleep" challenge and discovered you can't heal by sleeping only when I was at 2% condition. I'm still alive and managed to heal just a little bit (with emergency stems). The game makes your will to survive be like it was real life actually.
one of the tensest gaming experiences ive ever had was just trying to get away from ONE bear in TLD. Took me 3 days and several near-deaths but I managed to kill it.
I fell in love with Subnautica the second I gave myself more than ten minutes at a time to play it. It was different from The Long Dark in a lot of ways, but still thoroughly enjoyable. It didn't have as many survival mechanics as Long Dark, but was still a solid fun and immersive journey in a futuristic sci-fi world. I beat that a year ago. I just started The Long Dark a month or so ago, and I'm frankly hooked. Now, after clearing Wintermute through episode, I can't wait for episode 5 to come out and tie up all the loose ends. I'm just getting my feet wet on Survival mode on Voyager difficulty...and I've had some rough starts. But that is where the real adventure unfolds, isn't it? No one else to help you, no quests, no readily navigable map, no manual saves, no nothing! Just you against mother nature, and she doesn't play around here! For the Souls veterans on this channel: "The true Long Dark begins here." :)
The thing that I like about this game, is that if you wish, you can go into every mechanic. Min-max everything. Make it complicated. Sometimes even make yourself a story. But at it's heart if you can build a fire, find shelter and food, you will survive. That's what will hook people.
Love TLD. Almost dying makes it so much more interesting. Last death was in Stalker Mode after 200 days, because I used a cave bed, instead of a bearskin bedroom, in PV and a blizzard hit during the night.
I discovered this game 3 days ago on game pass. I am totally hooked, I'm enjoying it so much that I am avoiding using guides and external maps, as I feel the exploration is a huge part of the game
Yeah totally agreed - exploring and finding your own way is 99% of the experience in my mind. Also, really cool it's on game pass - lets you try games like this that may not be for you without a big upfront cost.
You've convinced me. I enjoy the Stalker games for their atmosphere, and TLD's surroundings and art style look just absolutely marvelous. I think I'll like its atmosphere just as much. Loved the video!
Hey Silvesby, thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words, means a lot. I really hope you enjoy the TLD, I really do think it's a game people can get lost in, as long as they're OK not having enemies to kill or epic bases to build
@@CrumpetsBasement Just started the story mode yesterday, and I've already fallen in love with it! Also subbed, so I'm excited for your videos to come :))
The long dark is probably one of the best survival games I've played. I play the multiplayer mod made by Filigrani with my friend and we have a really fun time surviving together. Also cool video, enjoyed every second of it!
People forget that this is a game that starts out being you vs nature, but as you adapt to the game it evolves into being you vs the choices you make. Awareness becomes your most important survival tool. It is also one of the most beautiful games I have ever played visually and musically. Lastly it should be said, "Do not go gentle into that good night."
_"People forget that this is a game that starts out being you vs nature, but as you adapt to the game it evolves into being you vs the choices you make"._ Exactly this - and let me tell you, I make awful choices! :D
I never even looked at this game because the title put me off and I hate winter, however, I just saw a few minutes of a video from someone who showed a lot of gathered stuff, so I did a quick search because I'm a hoarder at heart 😋. Your video title intrigued me and gave me a real sense of what this game is. Thank you for that. The Steam sale has it for 66% off so there's no reason not to buy it. Hopefully, I've found a new favorite!
Thanks Meica - I know this sounds pretty obvious, but I was pretty blown away by the TLD reddit support, everyone was VERY nice. Thanks for your support, it's greatly appreciated.
Rogue-like survival games have always been something I loved for years. The Long Dark came along a little later and did a fantastic job nailing the niche that a lot of gamers like me wanted. It's great to see that the game is still alive years later. It really needed no extra story. Could have been fine as a survival game that just drops you in the wilderness. But they went the extra mile by giving a story to play through that can even add/explain some gameplay elements. It's a mark of a fantastic game when the story is a nice bonus. We're here mostly for the gameplay of the Long Dark, but the story is an additional bonus that doesn't take away from anything.
My very first play through I started in Mystery Lake and did well there, 3 bases including the Camp Cabin, prepper bunker and logger trailers, I decided to explore out a bit and made my way to the work camp in a different section of the map. This location was on the water. After exploring the area a bit I found myself barely surviving a sudden blizzard in a cave, I had barely any food, water and nothing to sleep on and I couldn't back track to the workers camp because of the wolves that repopulated near it, so I pressed on and found a cave that took me back to the area with basically just a railroad, after accidentally going the wrong way on the railroad I ended up in a section with a landslide blocking my path. I tried to make my way around it only to end up completely drained of energy and surviving off of catstalks and a few sodas. It ended when another blizzard came in, cold and and completely zapped of energy with now sprained ankles and wrists (so moving too slow for me to handle) I decided to drop everything including clothes and jump from a cliff... looking back on it, after 68 days of doing ok to finding myself in an impossible situation I believe this game makes you lose yourself in it.
Bought TLD last year (ive known the game since it came out) and i played about 40-50 hours and stopped and this year i started playing it again and i literally played like 50-60 hours in couple of days...the longest ive played a game without stopping is a shocking for me 14 hours without stopping....that was nuts because i did not get bored and could've played for hours more learning about regions and items. My favorite survival game that beats all before, i remember watching a youtube back when the game came out and feeling down cause i couldn't play it with my old PC but then when i bought a good PC in late 2017 i never thought or came across TLD ever, i played and tested all kinds of games but just in 2022 i bought it.
Yeah, I think with 'TLD' once it sinks it's teeth into you, it's really engrossing. I dont play it for ages, and then sudenly bam, im right back into it :D
I recommend "Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead". It's been in early access for a few years, but only due to the fact that it has so much content (which is constantly expanding). Though it may be a turn off to many to hear that it's a 2D turn-based roguelike, the gameplay can prove very rewarding if you're willing to savescum a little. Even now, when it's in a barely playable state, it's a game worth experiencing it, because almost no indie game, and certainly no AAA game will ever convey the atmosphere CDDA does.
This games has a special place in my heart, since 7 years. It's still the best survival game that I know about. Unfortunately, noone knows anything about it among my friends and the people I know im my country. Let's say, this game is somehow not so well known. Maybe the theme and feeling is not for everyone, not sure
I saw a new episode of the Wintermute mode came out today and I was looking for an up to date review of the TLD - this video is perfect. Looking forward to buying the game now and giving it a go, thanks!
I totally recommend you "The Unreal World". 100% It's a very old game with 2d basic graphics (even Link's Awakening on Game Boy in black and white looks better), but still in development, and it's almost the ultimate open world survival game.
genuinely floored by the size of your channel. the production is so high quality and your narration is excellent i figured you had at least 100k. definitely earned my sub
Hey Jack! I really appreciate the kind words my dude, very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to watch, sub and comment!
True, instasub
@@zanearnold1337 Very kind my man, thank you!
@@CrumpetsBasement is UNDERRATED.
@@zerro3172 I've got a lot to learn yet, but I appreciate the kind words - encourages me to keep going!
As a tld player i sometimes i get so immersed that i feel the cold.
omg SAME
I love playing in the winter with my window open, just adds to the immersion
I used to get chills. Had to put on a hoodie and even stop playing sometimes
Reletable
IKR I'll be sitting there walking through a blizzard and suddenly a shiver will go up my spine randomly XD
No Other game gives the same level of satisfaction for simply surviving the day. Making it back to your shelter after a harrowing day in TLD is one of my favorite things in gaming.
Yea and u Are never sure about Ur shelter. You gotta Always keep moving.
Yea. I almost died like 7 times in HRV but once I got back home to Milton it was the best feeling
@@BoTheJo Yea. HRV Is one of The worse places cuz these Is no human made shelter.
What gets me is, even after finally returning to your shelter that doesn't guarantee safety. Do you have wood for a fire? Do you have food and/or water to consume? You can die in your shelter almost as easily as you can in the wild. Always be thinking, and preparing.
@@Kenjanz Unless your shelter is complete hole filed ruin then is hard to freeze to death in any house
You would need to sleep naked for it to happen
Starvation kills really slowly
Unless you had a meeting with angry bear or you are already hypothermic then you got a plenty of time to find food
The biggest problem is getting ill
Then you are actually screwed
Living in Nova Scotia, I used to play this game during winter on my laptop. I would keep the window of my cabin open a smidge and cuddle up next to the woodstove, just to get the full experience... Even at the expense of my heating situation...
Oh wow, that's commitment!!
@Jeremy Tesch agreed. should've been full clad in winter clothing, mittens included, making it hard to press the buttons (for immersion). Of course, he also should've poured water on himself to really stimulate the cold weather. Smh, casuals am I right?
@Jeremy Tesch Because nature devastation is a crime and you are risking your only life in the wilds
Not to mention shooting up endangered species
The same reason why people play GTA instead of becoming real criminals
Bushcraft is a cool thing but you need to a lot of common sense,you need to know your limits and you need a respect for nature
It's wrong to be nature devastator and buglar like you are doing it in game
Antigonish here bud
New Waterford here.
I can't state how much I love The Long Dark, but I think a lot of players misunderstand what makes it so great. What many people do is start on the Story Mode, get bored and never play it again. The Long Dark *is* the survival mode, and should be treated mainly as a freeroaming sandbox game with the addition of a story mode. The issue with the story mode is that you're tied in with having to complete set missions, when the pleasure of the game actually comes from choosing your own missions based on the needs of survival, and having the freedom to pick and choose your own base to set up in and stock up.
There's such an indescribable feeling of satisfaction when you stock up a chosen base, neatly lining up all your resources like food, water and wood, then sheltering for a couple of days next to the fire as you listen to the wind whistling outside. It also feels amazing when you come close to death, only to cheat it. One game during a routine run for resources I was attacked by a bear, and with barely any life left and surviving off the effects of an emergency stim, I managed to crawl to a temporary shelter with moments to spare. It felt so satisfying coming so close to the end, only to gradually nurse myself back to health in a random hut with limited resources, and make my way back "home" after my ordeal. That kind of random situation felt more exciting and satisfying that most other games I've ever played. It's moments like that where you are part of a story you create, which makes TLD survival mode so good.
_when the pleasure of the game actually comes from choosing your own missions based on the needs of survival, and having the freedom to pick and choose your own base to set up in and stock up._
Totally agree! It's this style of adventure and building your own narrative that can cause you to lose countless hours of an evening, many evenings, to the Long Dark.
I do think the story mode is a bit underrated for brand new survival players though, I personally found it a great way to 'learn the ropes', and was super excited to play the actual game (survival) once I was done.
The biggest mistakes the devs ever made was focusing so much time and resources on developing a story mode that 95% of the player base didn't care about. I love this game but it only keeps me entertained for a little bit at a time, I'll take a couple years break and come back, and barely anything has changed.
TLD has shown me not to fear the bears, wolves, or even the cold at this point. The real enemy is the most deadly entity in this Canadian wilderness.......
that god damn killer Moose.
I never had any Moose problems prior to making this video, but since this video I swear the Moose just wait for me in the worst possible locations.
The moose is a walking department store. Use your bow or rifle from a position above the moose where you can get in more than one shot before the moose makes contact.
Ez supplies if you plan well and get in a good spot. Otherwise it’s a week of staying at home sewing and boiling water while you wait for your ribs to heal
Yeah. there's one spawn that I found with the only exit from the area being behind a moose. and there isnt even a gun there.
Moose are pretty scary and very pretty too, and I've learned one thing,.. throwing rocks at them doesn't work like it does on wolves
The thing you didn't mention that I think is probably the best part about this game is how the creature needs (temperature, fatigue, thirst, hunger, and condition) are such well-implemented mechanics that they are so much more realistically impactful and immersive than any other survival game I have tried. In this game, I truly feel as though I am responding to the needs of a human body as it endures hardship, rather than just topping out the meters every once in a while as an afterthought so I can pay attention to the crafting tree or boss fights or multiplayer shenanigans that the developers of othergame consider to be a more interesting focus for their game. This game is more truly survival focused on survival than any other survival I have tried. It's the survivaliest of all the survivals to survival that ever survivaled.
The voice lines play a big part in that ignoring how much of a meme they all became. Along with actual consequences other then a lower condition bar for example keeping above starving gives extra carrying capacity and being low on fatigue greatly lowers movement.
@@errresh473 Not to mention it goes so much deeper. Being cold or tired, or out of stamina can effect your aim, which can cause problems like you missing an important shot. Or how you may not be able to climb or research or craft
@@errresh473"I'm so hungry I can eat a tree" "can you eat trees, cause I'm gonna" are the best😂😂
As a usual player of tld, I think that u have definitely done it justice
Thanks Luk31! I was a bit apprehensive on this one, as I know how much dedicated players love the game - glad I did OK!
Thanks, TLD is my favorite game as well. The only mistake the devs have made is the marketing of Story Mode. There was always great anticipation for this but then since 2014 there were some problems with getting the five episodes out. The community for this game is excellent and deserves it's own video.
My biggest regret with the video is not focusing more on Wintermute - it's such a great introduction to the mechanics of The Long Dark and has an enjoyable story - the ending of episode 3 was spectacular.
I may do a video on Wintermute, it's not planned at the moment - but I agree it, and the community, could use their own 'Underrated' video.
(thanks for watching / commenting btw!)
I mean to be fair they have a particular experience they want the story mode to be, remember when they completely changed the first two episodes and wiped saves due to how much of a narrative overhaul and world change it was? Takes guts to go back to existing content, and honestly assess it and then go to the extent of scrapping a lot of what you already had built and released, do the unpopular move of resetting players saves in the mode, in order to realize the devs vision for it. The heart that this game has had put into it is something to be admired and praised. One of a kind experience
Something I love about TLD is how it can surprise you even when you've got a couple hundred hours or more in. I was hunting the bear in timberwolf mountain, trying to lure it closer to the cabin by walking backward across the lake while it followed. As I did, I could feel my heartbeat starting to increase and it got to the point where it was pounding so hard it was hurting. I had to pause the game, lean back and say out loud "I'm playing a Game. Calm down." and physically sit there and wait for my pulse to settle before i went back in. And I was playing in a well lit interior in the middle of the day. And i think any game that can do that, in the first hour or the one hundredth hour, deserves high praise.
I started playing TLD right before Forlorn Muskeg was added, so I have several thousand hours in the game. The most compelling feature is one you did not
mention, and may not be expected by most who haven't played. There are no do overs, it's Permadeath, and autosaves upon each bad decision you make LOL,
which is what makes it even more compelling. There simply is no other game like this. My three go to games now are TLD, Valheim, and 7DTD.
_"and autosaves upon each bad decision you make LOL"_
And I make so many.... :D
The level of immersion is one of the greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses of this game. For me unless I have at least a few consecutive hours of uninterrupted time it just isn't worth starting a play session due to the time it takes to fully immerse one's mind into the long term strategy/planning and emotional trance-like state TLD all but requires to properly enjoy it. Hard to find the time somedays and I end up playing a far inferior game that I can enjoy in 30 minute intervals.
It doesn't get much better than a free Saturday, a cold dark quiet room, a tumbler of whiskey, and a full day of The Long Dark.
This game has such a deep psychological feeling to it. It's an absolute escape from daily struggles in life. You, all by yourself, just keep going against all odds.
Agreed. This is one of my go to games to play during the winter.
One of my FAVORITE parts of the game is the journal, where you get a space to write for each day. I love making journal entries with my experiences as if it were really happening. It helps me immerse myself and understand how I would think if I were really there.
Been following this game since it only had one zone to explore (Mystery Lake) and have always loved this game to pieces. Watching how it's grown is rewarding. It is easily in my top three games of all time and easily the best survival game I've ever played.
Heading down from Timberwolf Mountain, I enter the aspen grove that serves as a landmark indicating I'm close to home base. Blizzard conditions. I know the general direction I need to go to get to the Farmstead with my hundred pounds of gear scavenged from the plane crash. After trudging along in white-out conditions at a snail's pace for a half hour and no sight of the Farmstead, that sinking feeling has made a home in my heart. It's not that long of a walk even when overencumbered. I keep pressing forward. Hypothermia is looming over my head. Through the blowing snow I catch a glimpse of what looks like aspen trees. Then, footprints. My footprints. I had gone in a circle. I'm where I was 30 minutes ago but in worse shape. No game, has ever given me the feeling I had in that very moment.
First, when i looked at the game's videos i didn't like it i felt it's just a dumb survival game
BUT when i downloaded it
i enjoyed this game a lot and now its one of my top 1 survival games
and its really underrated game
Agreed on all of the above ^ :)
It's probably the 3rd of my top 1 favorites personally..........
@@XoxJasonReynoldsxoX What's your 1st?
when you found a shelter in a big snow storm , this feeling is only in Long Dark
Thank you for this wonderful video! You narrate well and its beautifully put together. As a TLD content creator, I had an overview review video in the works, but your video really does the game justice! You did a great job summarizing the spirit of this game. Thank you for this.
Thanks Zaknafein, I appreciate the kind words! Looking forward to your overview video!
Have a wonderful weekend.
@@CrumpetsBasement Can confirm. Only thing i have to say: a bit more time for the community would have been nice. Since December there is a thread philosophing about improving the endgamefor example. One of the best threads the forum has seen.
@@karlgrylls2406 Fair (and honest!) feedback, thanks Karl!
@@CrumpetsBasement i hope with honest you don't mean it negative 😇
When i read my posts later they appear always a bit angry to me which isn't supposed to be lol
@@karlgrylls2406 Oh no, it was all good dude! I didn't take it as negative at all - I appreciate feedback! :)
Found you through reddit. As a regular tld player, this is one of the best introduction one can make about this game.
To make things interesting, there's mods for this game too! My personal favourite being the pet fox mod.
Great video, subbed!
Hey Bhavesh, thanks for the comment, it means a lot!
And thanks for sharing Mod Support - I honestly had no idea, i'm still progressing in my current survival run, but I think i'll check out these for my next run.
Thanks again for the comment, taking the time to watch, and subscribing - it means a lot!
@@CrumpetsBasement i really reccomend the food pack mod, it adds 33 new food and drink items. It also adds alcohol so you can get drunk
@@realisticminecraftsteve4308 Food Pack is a great addition. I might be bias as I am the one who made the textures, but never less a solid mod.
I would also keep your eyes open for the release of modded regions like Mountain Pass, which are well on their way.
@@Kaiusername Great work on the textures, man! Keep up the good work
I feel terrible having taken so long to discover this video - thanks for mentioning me Retro! Miss you man. All the best from January 2022
Hey EGB! Hah, no problem at all - I don't really share my content that wide!
Appreciate the kind words fella, hope you're doing well! Have a great New Year! :D
As a specifically a survival gamer, focusing on TLD, I find your review highly accurate. It absolutely is underrated.
The scaricty creates such appreciation.
Matches or a magnifying lense literally will save your life. And that mag lense is something you will trek across the map for.
I personally never felt aimless, but I make my own goals.
-tools
-hunt
-full fur outfit
-bow & arrow
Now I am on a quest to map the entirety of the island, "trying to escape'.
I love tld and I have some great and not so great memories of it. I remember my very first aurora, I was exploring the dam in the flickering lights and walked over a cable on the ground that was safe earlier but live now. It killed me... Another time I was struggling my way back to my main base with food poisoning, no food, no water, freezing and exhausted. Then an aurora started. Things were looking bleak and I remember thinking dieing under the aurora wouldn't be so bad
Play the long dark during a winter, is my annual routine for 5 years and hope it's continue for long.
Pretty ace routine - I really like having a game I go back to at certain points of the year. I do this a lot with movies (December = Lord of The Rings marathon :D)
Agreed! Especially when we get winter storms. Really lets you sink in.
WOW. this video was amazing. I've been playing TLD for a few years now and this video you made captured almost every single aspect of what makes it so great. It seems just like the game, your channel may also be underrated!
Wow, thanks! Very kind of you to say that, and I'm glad I did a game you love so much justice!
I may finally buy this in steam. I've almost purchased this several times before and have always gotten cold feet thinking it may be just a boring walking simulator. Guess I'll have to find out.
Whats ur opinion rn?? Is worth the story mode?
Wow, this is a phenomenal video. TLD is my forever game, though as you mentioned it is not for everyone and I sometimes find it challenging to describe what it is that I love about the game to others who are not familiar with it. Now, however, I'll send your video! You are thoughtful, articulate, and comprehensive, plus the editing is excellent!
Hey Sacha - thanks for the comment, means a lot! Very glad I could capture the essence of the game for a veteran of the TLD - thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, means a lot.
Have a wonderful weekend!
@@CrumpetsBasement You're welcome, you've earned my subscription. Another under-the-radar survival game is The Flame in the Flood-it is very different in style and gameplay than TLD or any of the other survival games you mentioned in your intro and won't be for everyone, but I feel that it is another hidden gem of a game. It also has a great soundtrack that fits the game perfectly.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!
@@SachaSong-ow8zg Thanks Sacha, I vaguely recall hearing about The Flame in the Flood, but I can't say I know much about it - i'll check it out, thanks for the recommendation!
Oh wow, it's 80% off on Steam - I guess I have a new game :D
@@CrumpetsBasement Awesome! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
I got this game back in 2015-2016 when it was in early access and it's probably one of my favorite games to go back to when I need a break from everything else
I couldn't imagine anyone describing this game any better. This is everything that I love about this game but spoken way more eloquently than I could ever hope to.
Thanks Craig, I really appreciate the kind words !
Wow this video kept me so captivated! I almost cried it was so beautiful your explanation of the game! I’m so glad I got this game, you really made it sound like the best game ever made, and in some ways, it is.
Thanks Nathaniel, I really appreciate it dude, very kind words!
Skyrim, at the start of the game, you find a small village and continue through the mountains. That first time when Whiterun appeared in the distance.
Long dark has that same feeling. Lost near dead, wolves following, then a cabin in the distance.
Agreed!
All very good points and brilliantly narrated, respect :)
I think I initially overlooked the game for (by the sound of it) the same reasons you did, but also as you said; the community is brilliant. I posted asking if people thought it was worth buying when I wasn't interested in the story mode, within days I had numerous large, friendly and informative responses from fans/veterans alike in the game's steam community. Bought the game barely a week ago and I've already spent about 30 hours irl surviving for 45 days in The Long Dark. Existing players are more than happy to give tips and advice, which makes the whole thing that bit more welcoming.
Side note: The difficulty options deserve a good shout-out too. I'm enjoying playing on the harder settings (Which can be VERY hard) to push my limits, but there are excellently scaled lower difficulties and a custom option to tailor the experience however you want it. You can play it as a mostly non threatening exploration game, or one of the hardest survival challenges you've ever had...OR absolutely anything in between!
Hi from Belarus! Friend, you were the one who inspired me to write the story of your longtime character during the playthrough. You are cool, and in terms of aesthetics, you are great! God bless you.
Sorry for my english)
Thank you Topa! And your English is much better than my Belarusian :)
//
Дзякуй Топа! І ваша англійская значна лепшая за маю беларускую :) (Google Translate!)
I got this game as a gift from my nephew. It stayed in my library un-played for a year and some months and when I did try an play it I started on Interloper and damn near uninstalled it. According to Steam, I'm just short of 3,000 hours in this game. It grows on you.
3000 hours, it defiitely grew on you! It's a wonderful game - i dont tend to play it as much anymore, but sometimes I get the 'itch' to go on an adventure.
Mate i have to say i came to check out GTFO and after watching that brilliant video i watched three more videos that you made without taking a break. And now i find my self watching this one even i ditched that game without giving it proper chance. But as im writing this im powering my pc ready to install it again... Thanks for that! You are unique content creator for sure and i hope and wish that many many more ppl find about you, because you my pal is the one whos underrated! You are my favorite crumpet from now on. Cheers!
Thanks Stiletto, really appreciate you taking the time to watch not one, but four of my videos! Very kind my dude.
Hopefully you enjoy TLD, it's not for everyone, but you may find yourself engrossed in it this time around.
Thanks again for the kind words my dude, it's very much appreciated.
Let me know how your return to the quiet apocalypse is going, not well I assume lol
@@ChaotiX1 It turns out it wasnt game for me after all, at least I gave it about 20h playtime chance
When a gaming community pretty much beg the devs to take more of their money you know they're doing it right.
Top quality review. The depth and tone of your delivery was compelling and really enjoyable. I was really surprised when you called your channel small, and it checked out. I doubt it'll be small for long. Quality work, thank you.
Thanks Rich, that's really incredible to hear - I really appreciate it!
I misread the title and thought you said "overrated" and was ready to throw hands, good thing I read it again lol. Great video, gave me the impression you had at least 100k subs!
Hah, i'm not ready to catch those hands! Glad it worked out in my favor :D
Thanks for watching and comment, means a lot, as do the kind words!
A long time ago I read a book about people who lived in cold climates. They had a saying:
"If you can't get out of it - get into it."
I think this applies both to the cold and to human solitude. We spend so much of our lives avoiding loneliness and solitude, trying to bundle away in some comfortable corner surrounded by our possessions and gadgets, that we are wholly unprepared when a winter storm knocks out the power or when one of the occasional Winters of the Soul hit - in the form of a loved one's death, sudden loss, or something else which hits us deeply.
The Long Dark challenges players to "get into it." To face that solitude, loneliness, emptiness head-on. This game is a form of meditation on death, a surprisingly healthy thing as far as video games go.
Without a doubt one of my favorite games. I’ve logged more hours on TLD more than any other game because I truly get lost in the woods.
I've just come back to the long dark in over a year, which is great because I have the prior knowledge of some of the world while there is so much more to explore
Out of all the survival games I played, I played this last and I'm happy I did. It's truly a remarkably unique experience.
Just the intro of TLD where it shows the wilderness you'll be in while playing "The Lion's Roar" by First Aid Kit was simply incredible
Well said, the production value is great and should easily deserve more of a following. I definitely recommend you should check out Green Hell if you haven't played it before, as a member of the survival gaming community that's one of my favorites, and is also very much underrated.
This game has taken me into its enchantment. It is so easy to get fully enveloped in it. Thank you for the video!
This was an awesome video! I just discovered TLD last year and have been addicted to it. I die constantly but get a little better each time. You did a great job of explaining just how I feel about the game, and what a unique experience it is.
Thanks Tony, appreciate the kind words!
one thing I might add, this game is perfect for people that listen to podcasts, it has enough substance its not mindless. but not too much to make you lose focus on the podcast
On the lower difficultys.. when playing stalker I have to constantly manage 3 different wolf packs trying to eat my ass along with doing mental 5d chess in order to predict where the bear is.
I spent hundreds of hours in The Long Dark. Love the game. It was my first survival game, and nothing else touches it.
Amazing video, thank you for putting this together. I'm a sub of Accurize2 who has been playing this game for over 5 years, he was one of the original kickstarters and hasn't grown tired of playing. When this game is your thing, it is your thing for the long term ❤
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching and commenting. Accurize2 has the most recognizable TLD thumbnails on TH-cam, I can picture them perfectly hah.
I love playing this game ever winter. When my own windows are making noise from the wind like in game its just perfectly immersive.
Your video helped me to decide to pull the trigger on this. Couldn't resist with the Steam sale discount.
Ah amazing! Even better you got it on sale, prepare to get cold :D
this youtuber is underrated
this commenter is underrated
This Game can make you feel, happy, angry or even scared and sad much more as many games with never intended, as a TLD player I can say that is a experience that never gone at all.
I've been playing The Long Dark since roughly 2015/2016 and it is my all-time favorite game. I recommend it to everyone I can, and I stay updated with the game via their Dev Diaries, emails. This game has such a lovely community because I have yet to find anyone toxic. New players are welcomed in with open arms and shown the ropes of how to play, but no so much to where you never learn anything new. The Dev's show so much care for the game and they actually listen to the community about concerns we have, things that would aid in gameplay or storytelling. I have yet to find a game community that actually listens to the players and makes the changes.
Agreed! The Dev / Community, from what i've seen, is wonderful.
I don’t know why, but I love the sound of your voice. It’s…relaxing.
I love the long dark too, I bought in on Xbox game preview program. I’ve been playing since there was on pleasant valley, mystery lake, and coastal highway.
The game is one of the most interesting and terrifying games I’ve ever seen. Terrifying at times, such as certain caves, foggy nights, and especially when the aurora is out.
Seriously, you be of the moments in gaming that stands out with me to this day is making my long trek back home to pleasant valley farmhouse after looting a region (can’t remember what region). The aurora came out after the sun set and the creepy music played as the aurora haunted the night sky. I’m walking through the woods and I see glowing yellow eyes in the dark from a big creature.
A bear.
I’m over encumbered. The bear, no matter how fast I tried to shuffle along, seemed to keep up pace with me. A distance threat, looming over my game and my characters life like an angel of death. I swear the thing followed me throughout half the map on my way home. Anxiety, primal fear of the hungry predator stalking me in the dark. I kept looking over my shoulder as I shuffled home, heart pounding thinking to myself…this is where it ends. And I had no flare gun to drive it off.
I finally made it home while hearing howls in the dark from aurora buffed wolves. My breath shaking as I open the front door to my home and enter inside.
Sanctuary. But even with one triumph in the saga of man versus the wrath of a vengeful Mother Nature. I knew I had more days and more uncertainty to deal with.
Times like that will stick with me forever as a gamer. I treasure and fear them equally, but never defy them.
Anyways, seriously give the game a try. You won’t regret it…or maybe…you might.
keep it up brother, a channel of this quality will absolutely grow!
Thanks Charles! I appreciate the kind words!
the story mode of the long dark is also really good, took me two weeks to beat the first 3 episodes and episode 4 is coming out soon. I don't play a whole lot of survival but i love the storyline in winter mute
For sure, the story mode is really enjoyable!
The one huge problem for me is that it's no longer a survival game when playing story mode. You can even save your game at any point and that's why there is no challenge at all. Almost. It feels like a long walk in the park. That's how I feel. But yeah, the story is actually intriguing!
i really liked the storyline, but yea makes sense. it still was difficult for me though because just jumped right into it instead of survival mode first. especially episode 3 i really struggled with that one
They nailed the music/ambiance in this game. Might be my favorite. Totally puts you in a trance as it fluctuates depending on your current situation. It has hint of John Carpenter at times.
"They nailed the music/ambiance in this game"
Totally agreed.
Yes i am editing my response to just add that you have this ability and way with words to make me want to play games like The long dark.
As always well done friend, 10/10
Great video! And TLD absolutely is underrated, you’re right!
I didn't like it at early access, but now that I got into it properly I think it's one of the best games I have ever played.
Yeah I must admit I missed that early phase of development and got to appreciate the "final" version.
Great video my guy, really surprised you don't have more subs
Thank you Salem! Appreciate the kind words! (and im slowlyyyyyy working on it :) )
tld's relationship with the modding community would be an interesting thing to look into as well. Hinterland have had rocky relationships with people modding their game, mostly over the idea that players could unintentionally ruin the game's balance and tone for themselves. One of the previous updates even included code that stopped the mod launcher that people had been using to create and implement mods, which was... an interesting choice.
Recently, however, they've come around and the modding community is flourishing again. There's some seriously interesting mods around, and very little of them (bar a few, of course) break the intended experience as Hinterland feared. I've been a fan of this game for a few years now, and seeing the push and pull between devs who have a clearly-defined design philosophy and people who are very passionate about what tld offers has been really cool to follow.
Also, if you're looking for more underrated games in saturated genres, check out Hunt: Showdown, which is my current gaming obsession. Pure gold.
tl;dr game modding is cool, so is tld, support niche games
Great video and a very apt description of TLD. I'd add that the art style and beauty of this game makes it feel like you've just been dropped into a Bob Ross winter scape.
Let's drop in a happy little tree here, and give him a friend. Now, let's do a big old tree. And what's Great Bear Island without a big, almighty mountain? Just drop this wolf in here and - haha, beat the devil out of it.
I went into The Long Dark blind. Hadn’t even heard of it but gamepass recommended it and it didn’t disappoint. I can definitely see how many wouldn’t enjoy it but those that do will love it. Personally this game and “the Flame in the Flood” are my favorite survival games.
I think it's an awesome gamepass game - lets you try something you're unsure about.
the Flame in the Flood is on my ... ever growing... to do list!
Really liked this video and your previous content.
I'm generally not a fan of survival games, I played about 10 hours of Subnautica and just found it boring, but one survival-ish game I really like is Kenshi.
It's not a first person survival game like most are but an RTS-RPG. However, it retains most of the survival elements; you can starve, resources are scarce and injuries can linger and be fatal over time. You can play it solo like most games in the genre but you can recruit NPCs to make a squad of up to 30 and as soon as your squad is larger than 1 as long of any party members live the game continues. And with those 30 units (including recruitable dogs and pack animals) you can build a base and in time make yourself into a formidable fighting force but that really isn't going to be easy. Or you can focus on being a badass lone wolf, a trader of lots of other things.
It's set in a truly original post-apocalyptic sci-fi samurai punk world where there are no guns but there are robots and lots of inventive, very dangerous creatures. You can, in time, become powerful enough to explore the most dangerous parts of the world, topple kingdoms or end slavery but there's no quests, whatever you do, it's your choice. But long before you're able to do any of that it's the one game I've played where going to the neighbouring town to buy a bag is genuinely dangerous and exciting.
Thanks ReVVAdAUL!
I've heard of Kenshi / seen it on Twitch but never really dove into it - i'll go and take a look as what you said intrigues me, sounds very unique!
I'm currently doing the "As the dead sleep" challenge and discovered you can't heal by sleeping only when I was at 2% condition. I'm still alive and managed to heal just a little bit (with emergency stems). The game makes your will to survive be like it was real life actually.
Oh wow, that sounds tough! Good luck! :D
one of the tensest gaming experiences ive ever had was just trying to get away from ONE bear in TLD. Took me 3 days and several near-deaths but I managed to kill it.
Wow dude this is the first video I have ever seen of yours and it is super well done and very high quality please continue with these
Hey Jia, ah wow, thank you for the kind words (and watching!). TLD is so beautiful it's very easy to make it look good in a video :)
I fell in love with Subnautica the second I gave myself more than ten minutes at a time to play it. It was different from The Long Dark in a lot of ways, but still thoroughly enjoyable. It didn't have as many survival mechanics as Long Dark, but was still a solid fun and immersive journey in a futuristic sci-fi world. I beat that a year ago.
I just started The Long Dark a month or so ago, and I'm frankly hooked.
Now, after clearing Wintermute through episode, I can't wait for episode 5 to come out and tie up all the loose ends.
I'm just getting my feet wet on Survival mode on Voyager difficulty...and I've had some rough starts.
But that is where the real adventure unfolds, isn't it? No one else to help you, no quests, no readily navigable map, no manual saves, no nothing! Just you against mother nature, and she doesn't play around here!
For the Souls veterans on this channel:
"The true Long Dark begins here." :)
Brilliant video. You've earned my sub
The thing that I like about this game, is that if you wish, you can go into every mechanic. Min-max everything. Make it complicated. Sometimes even make yourself a story. But at it's heart if you can build a fire, find shelter and food, you will survive. That's what will hook people.
Well said!
The music is gorgeous in this game and it fits this game perfectly
Very much agreed!
Thanks so much for this. Your perspective into TLD is exactly what I needed.
Glad it was helpful!
At 10:57 seeing the knocked-over pot made me feel a little sad thinking about the fact that was in Grey Mother's house in Wintermute.
Love TLD. Almost dying makes it so much more interesting. Last death was in Stalker Mode after 200 days, because I used a cave bed, instead of a bearskin bedroom, in PV and a blizzard hit during the night.
I discovered this game 3 days ago on game pass. I am totally hooked, I'm enjoying it so much that I am avoiding using guides and external maps, as I feel the exploration is a huge part of the game
Yeah totally agreed - exploring and finding your own way is 99% of the experience in my mind. Also, really cool it's on game pass - lets you try games like this that may not be for you without a big upfront cost.
You've convinced me. I enjoy the Stalker games for their atmosphere, and TLD's surroundings and art style look just absolutely marvelous. I think I'll like its atmosphere just as much. Loved the video!
Hey Silvesby, thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words, means a lot.
I really hope you enjoy the TLD, I really do think it's a game people can get lost in, as long as they're OK not having enemies to kill or epic bases to build
@@CrumpetsBasement Just started the story mode yesterday, and I've already fallen in love with it! Also subbed, so I'm excited for your videos to come :))
@@silvesby Thanks again! Very kind!
Best survival, astonishing lights & lanscapes, so immersive, beautiful music.
What a great analysis for a equally great game - I have thousands of hours in the Long Dark and I've enjoyed every last one of them
Thanks Brandon! It's the wintery season so i'm very much thinking about TLD again :D
What a lovely, eloquent review. Cheers man.
Thanks Ben! Appreciate you taking the time to watch/comment :)
The long dark is probably one of the best survival games I've played. I play the multiplayer mod made by Filigrani with my friend and we have a really fun time surviving together. Also cool video, enjoyed every second of it!
Oooooo, i'll check out this multiplayer mod - thanks for sharing! (and for watching / commenting!)
People forget that this is a game that starts out being you vs nature, but as you adapt to the game it evolves into being you vs the choices you make. Awareness becomes your most important survival tool. It is also one of the most beautiful games I have ever played visually and musically. Lastly it should be said, "Do not go gentle into that good night."
_"People forget that this is a game that starts out being you vs nature, but as you adapt to the game it evolves into being you vs the choices you make"._
Exactly this - and let me tell you, I make awful choices! :D
very polished video, you're quite talented and keep em coming.. cheers mate
Awesome video, you really went in depth with the topic and I really enjoyed listening to your thoughts
Thanks Laurynas, appreciate you watching and the kind words!
I never even looked at this game because the title put me off and I hate winter, however, I just saw a few minutes of a video from someone who showed a lot of gathered stuff, so I did a quick search because I'm a hoarder at heart 😋. Your video title intrigued me and gave me a real sense of what this game is. Thank you for that. The Steam sale has it for 66% off so there's no reason not to buy it. Hopefully, I've found a new favorite!
Found you through Reddit. Left a like and a subscription. Great Video!!!!
Thanks Meica - I know this sounds pretty obvious, but I was pretty blown away by the TLD reddit support, everyone was VERY nice.
Thanks for your support, it's greatly appreciated.
Rogue-like survival games have always been something I loved for years. The Long Dark came along a little later and did a fantastic job nailing the niche that a lot of gamers like me wanted.
It's great to see that the game is still alive years later. It really needed no extra story. Could have been fine as a survival game that just drops you in the wilderness. But they went the extra mile by giving a story to play through that can even add/explain some gameplay elements.
It's a mark of a fantastic game when the story is a nice bonus. We're here mostly for the gameplay of the Long Dark, but the story is an additional bonus that doesn't take away from anything.
Fully agree on your points on the story Martyn!
This is the best survival game ever imo, its so immersive and tense
My very first play through I started in Mystery Lake and did well there, 3 bases including the Camp Cabin, prepper bunker and logger trailers, I decided to explore out a bit and made my way to the work camp in a different section of the map. This location was on the water. After exploring the area a bit I found myself barely surviving a sudden blizzard in a cave, I had barely any food, water and nothing to sleep on and I couldn't back track to the workers camp because of the wolves that repopulated near it, so I pressed on and found a cave that took me back to the area with basically just a railroad, after accidentally going the wrong way on the railroad I ended up in a section with a landslide blocking my path. I tried to make my way around it only to end up completely drained of energy and surviving off of catstalks and a few sodas. It ended when another blizzard came in, cold and and completely zapped of energy with now sprained ankles and wrists (so moving too slow for me to handle) I decided to drop everything including clothes and jump from a cliff... looking back on it, after 68 days of doing ok to finding myself in an impossible situation I believe this game makes you lose yourself in it.
Haha, that's quite the story! Thanks for sharing.
Bought TLD last year (ive known the game since it came out) and i played about 40-50 hours and stopped and this year i started playing it again and i literally played like 50-60 hours in couple of days...the longest ive played a game without stopping is a shocking for me 14 hours without stopping....that was nuts because i did not get bored and could've played for hours more learning about regions and items. My favorite survival game that beats all before, i remember watching a youtube back when the game came out and feeling down cause i couldn't play it with my old PC but then when i bought a good PC in late 2017 i never thought or came across TLD ever, i played and tested all kinds of games but just in 2022 i bought it.
Yeah, I think with 'TLD' once it sinks it's teeth into you, it's really engrossing. I dont play it for ages, and then sudenly bam, im right back into it :D
Your channel is UNDERRATED
I played this game during the summer and sometimes I'd forget that it's not winter when I go outside
When its winter irl and i play tld i hear same snowstorm voices from outside as i hear in game. This makes experience bit more cool.
Yeah, very cosy!
Good video :)
I recommend "Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead". It's been in early access for a few years, but only due to the fact that it has so much content (which is constantly expanding). Though it may be a turn off to many to hear that it's a 2D turn-based roguelike, the gameplay can prove very rewarding if you're willing to savescum a little. Even now, when it's in a barely playable state, it's a game worth experiencing it, because almost no indie game, and certainly no AAA game will ever convey the atmosphere CDDA does.
This games has a special place in my heart, since 7 years. It's still the best survival game that I know about. Unfortunately, noone knows anything about it among my friends and the people I know im my country. Let's say, this game is somehow not so well known. Maybe the theme and feeling is not for everyone, not sure
I saw a new episode of the Wintermute mode came out today and I was looking for an up to date review of the TLD - this video is perfect. Looking forward to buying the game now and giving it a go, thanks!
I totally recommend you "The Unreal World". 100%
It's a very old game with 2d basic graphics (even Link's Awakening on Game Boy in black and white looks better), but still in development, and it's almost the ultimate open world survival game.