Darkwood

 Switch
Darkwood Image
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 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
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Darkwood - Launch Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Nintenderos
    Jul 1, 2019
    84
    Like a good injection, Darkwood gathers the perfect doses of gameplay (survival, randomness, action, deductions) and narrative (decision making, different paths, multiple narrators, a climax). A good example of a game developed with time and dedication.
  2. Pure Nintendo
    Jun 3, 2019
    80
    Darkwood is a simple but hugely satisfying top-down horror survival game that will have you jumping at shadows.
  3. Nintendo Insider
    Aug 12, 2019
    80
    After a somewhat shaky start to the game, which included a steep learning curve, I found myself enthralled in Darkwood and I did not want to put it down. From its brilliant tension building, atmosphere and sense of vulnerability for the player, it has better horror elements than most AAA horror titles nowadays. If you are into your survival horror games, you do not want to miss this one, despite one or two missteps along the way.
  4. Gameblog.fr
    May 31, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is really not for everyone's hands. Unforgiving and far from being linear, it's above all aimed to gamers who are experienced in the survival genre. The sound design is neat and conveys a real feeling of despair and horror, even if the visuals and the game design in general lack of variety.
  5. Switch Player
    Jun 3, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is a gripping survival horror, but its presentation is too dark for comfort a lot of the time. Players should spend more time being scared than rummaging for resources.
  6. DualShockers
    Jun 2, 2019
    70
    Darkwood is a survival-horror game that does not rely on jump scares to get you encapsulated in its world.
  7. GameSpace
    Jun 4, 2019
    65
    Darkwood for the Nintendo Switch will certainly scratch the itch of a survival focused gamer. This takes the premise of games like Don't Starve, then takes itself much more seriously and makes it somewhat spookier. The harshness won't appeal to everyone, and the horror themes wear thin before too long, but for the right survivalist, or glutton for punishment, this may be exactly what you were looking for.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Reed618
    May 26, 2021
    10
    I'm surprised the reviews aren't higher. This is honestly a horror masterpiece. There really aren't many games which actually make you jump atI'm surprised the reviews aren't higher. This is honestly a horror masterpiece. There really aren't many games which actually make you jump at shadows or feel like something is watching you but darkwood nails that feeling perfectly.

    It's essentially a survival game in which you gather resources and you can make some minor improvements to your hideout by barricading windows and doors or refueling the generator. Crafting weapons and other items is important too. Weapon degradation and ammo limitations generally encourage the player to avoid combat where possible.

    Overall the game is quite forgiving though. If you die you lose some of the items in your backpack but the spot where you died is marked on the map so you can often go there and retrieve them. I felt intimidated at first. But while the game is masterful in creating an oppressive atmosphere it's also encouraging. You have a journal telling you where you need to go and dying doesn't have any massive penalty. It's just scary which is ideal and I never feel like i'm losing progress.

    As you explore you'll encounter... some very odd things... and occasionally meet really unique and messed up individuals. Quests involve making morally ambiguous decisions and prove quite memorable. The atmosphere and style of this game is like no other.

    A lot of games have staged chase sequences and jump scares and monsters which are scary because they have messed up faces but darkwood just offers a small world full of terrors for you to explore. Some stuff you'll miss and some of it is random. If you're a horror fan then this is the definition of a must play game. I couldn't recommend it enough.    … Expand
  2. maxdechiaro
    Oct 2, 2021
    10
    The game is incredible bit please fix the bug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  4. bioshockare89
    Oct 5, 2021
    10
    Incredibile per atmosfere e ambientazione. Un gioco unico nel suo genere ed artisticamente ineccepibile.
  5. labuschin
    May 30, 2022
    9
    This game is really great. I was genuinely afraid every night. Ambient sound is great, sound effects also. Interesting characters. ChallengingThis game is really great. I was genuinely afraid every night. Ambient sound is great, sound effects also. Interesting characters. Challenging gameplay. Story that makes me very curious. Nice (low res) graphics. Great art style. This game definitely hits a nerve.… Expand
  6. Meeleepit
    Oct 11, 2020
    7
    Super stoked about Darkwood. Never heard of this gem of a game. Found this on special in the switch E-store and decided to give it a bash andSuper stoked about Darkwood. Never heard of this gem of a game. Found this on special in the switch E-store and decided to give it a bash and i am literally **** myself around every corner. No jump scares in this title. Whoa, mind blown!… Expand
  7. Rtheom
    May 22, 2019
    4
    Don't pick this up on Switch yet. They haven't optimized it for the system (or something like that), so it sputters and chugs all over theDon't pick this up on Switch yet. They haven't optimized it for the system (or something like that), so it sputters and chugs all over the place. At some of the locations where you're switching from one area to the next, it can take as long as a minute to load. It makes the game virtually unplayable for any length of time and makes it nearly impossible to react to the monsters properly. Wait for them to get a few patched out before picking this up.… Expand

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