Darkwood

 PlayStation 4
Darkwood Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

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  • Summary: Darkwood is a game about survival, exploration and fear, set in mysterious woods somewhere in the territory of the Soviet Bloc. It is a top-down, free-roam, surreal horror experience with a randomized world, taking cues from classic games, where oftentimes you had to figure things out forDarkwood is a game about survival, exploration and fear, set in mysterious woods somewhere in the territory of the Soviet Bloc. It is a top-down, free-roam, surreal horror experience with a randomized world, taking cues from classic games, where oftentimes you had to figure things out for yourself. By blending RPG, roguelike and adventure elements together with a challenging difficulty, Darkwood aims to please players craving for a deep and rewarding experience.

    The fear of unknown is powerful and the unknown will try to remain unseen, forcing you to watch your back. Your senses will be deceived, your sight fooled, your smell tricked by Darkwood's surreal terrors. No answer will be given to you for free, yet somewhere in the woods lies the truth, an explanation to what has happened in this godforsaken place.

    Looking for your weakness, your inner demons, only to devour you. Welcome to Darkwood.    … Expand

Trailer

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Darkwood - Launch Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. GameSpot
    May 14, 2019
    90
    While Darkwood is an absolute marvel in terms of its aesthetics and gameplay--as well as its disarmingly dissonant score--I experienced several bugs that caused me to lose minor progress. In one case, I was trapped behind a disassembled tractor, which forced me to quit to the main menu and restart the game in order to press onward. On top of this, one of the game's areas caused the frame rate to drop so dramatically that playing became a chore. This was easily rectified, again simply requiring a soft reboot, but these glitches are a disappointing nuisance plaguing an otherwise exceptional game.
  2. Critical Hit
    May 14, 2019
    90
    Terrifying, addictive and constantly engaging, Darkwood is a joy to play and begs for multiple runs no matter how scared you are.
  3. BaziCenter
    May 29, 2019
    85
    Darkwood tells the story of escaping from a mysterious and scary forest, where darkness and fear are the powers at work, and although it suffers from shortcomings here and there, the atmosphere alone is enough to keep you engaged and take your breath away.
  4. TheSixthAxis
    May 14, 2019
    80
    Darkwood is one of the most terrifying games I’ve ever played as it challenges you to explore and survive a dark and twisted world. Unravelling the mysteries of the night time horrors will consume you even before you try the permadeath mode. This comes highly recommended, but remember to wear your brown trousers.
  5. PlayStation Country
    May 22, 2019
    80
    There's an intelligent execution to Darkwood. The gloomy aesthetics and effective sound design heighten your senses and place you precariously on edge. The unflinching challenge adds weight to encounters and each trip to new pastures carries great risk. There is a fantastic confidence with how Darkwood lets you dictate the pace of exploration and it's enticing me to keep coming back.
  6. SpazioGames
    May 17, 2019
    80
    Darkwood is gritty, difficult and scary, and these are just three of the reasons why we liked it: the crafting system is good, the atmosphere is always tense and the sound design is excellent. Don't miss it if you like survival horror games.
  7. Digitally Downloaded
    May 29, 2019
    30
    I thought going in that it would be something special. I think it still probably is something special. But with the console and television set up that I've got, and no apparent way to make the text and font more legible, I wasn't able to experience what makes this game the stand-out horror experience that the other reviews suggest that it is (and I've got no reason to believe that those reviews are in any way inaccurate). Unfortunately for me Darkwood is unintelligible, and I'm genuinely sad that I wasn't able to appreciate the many merits of a game because I simply had no way of actually making sense of it.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. PunksNotDead200
    May 15, 2019
    10
    So dark... Damn. The game, actually, brings you to a state of primal fear. There are no many screamers, no, there is only a dark, endlessSo dark... Damn. The game, actually, brings you to a state of primal fear. There are no many screamers, no, there is only a dark, endless forest. And the creatures that inhabit it and want your death. Enjoy.… Expand
  2. Kwar
    May 22, 2019
    10
    An excellent dark game that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love it. :)
  4. Yopper
    May 16, 2019
    10
    You.... I see you, you don't think I can but I can see you. Do not worry, your efforts are futile.
  5. Monsterrr
    May 16, 2019
    9
    You don't know the true meaning of 'horror' until you have played Darkwood.
  6. bbtothe
    May 18, 2019
    8
    Fun horror game that utilises a different perspecific than most. Like all good thiller games you begin terrified of the everything in theFun horror game that utilises a different perspecific than most. Like all good thiller games you begin terrified of the everything in the world but by the end your much more comfortable and feel a great sense of progression. Combat can take a little get used to, you need to learn your weapons and eminems attack speed etc. Resource management and being prepared is a big key to survival. Surviving at night can be a little difficult in the beginning but for me got easier closer to the end (pro tip place traps behind doors - traps are great for night survival, just dont run into your own traps!) Pretty cool story, extremely interesting characters and art, I wish the story went for a tad bit longer but for $20 its definitely long enough (took me about 12-15 hours to beat and I didnt explore everything) Overall a dam solid experience from such a new small dev team. Definitely one to take your time with.… Expand

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PS4 Game of 2019
59
#59 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
43
#43 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

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