Review: The Long Dark (PlayStation 4)

The Long Dark is a thoughtful, exploration-survival experience that challenges solo players to think for themselves as they explore an expansive frozen wilderness in the aftermath of a geomagnetic disaster.

Pros:

• Nice graphics.
• 11.01GB Download size.
• FOV slider.
• Sensitivity slider.
• Tutorial support.
• Three modes- Wintermute which is your story mode, Survivalmode where you see how many days you can survive and challenges- Set scenarios.
• Seven locations-Mystery lake, Coastal highway, Desolation point, Pleasant valley, Timberwolf mountain, Foriorn and broken railroad. Random is also there.
• Male and female characters.
• Wilderness survival gameplay.
• Crafting-Scavenge resources and make tools, Fires, clothes etc.
• Journal- Fills in as you find pages and explains some of the lore.
• Can hunt animals and scavenge from them.
• Stamina system used for running as well as a hunger sytem for food, Water and tempature and sight.
• Weather- Temperature plays a huge part and can end your life quickly. Taking shelter is key as well as maintaining the right clothes.
• Platinum trophy.
• Decent story.
• Deep item management.
• Time- You can break stuff down for resources but it takes time and calories to do so.
• Map uncovers as you discover locations.
• Afflications- From frostbite to hypothermia. You need to stay prepared and avoid these even a cut can go infected and mess things up.
• Atmospheric and tense setting.
• Its just you against mother nature.
• Resource intensive.
• Good looking open area locations.
• A lot of replayability.
• Many structures and cars to explore as well as caves and forests.
• Clever little things like defrosting clothing or boiling water so it is safe for consumption.

Cons:

• Only one control layout.
• Difficult.
• If you jump straight into the survival mode, Its a very daunting experience as you get next to no guidance or help.
• Loading screens when opening doors.
• Screen tearing.
• Very slow paced overall.
• Small cursor used for looking at and picking up things. Feels like its best suited for a mouse and not optimized for the controller.
• No multiplayer modes.
• Sluggish movement.
• Story mode is basically a massive stop start tutorial.