Athanasios Aravositas
Cubed3The Long Dark Review
Published 12/27/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
50
-26 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCritic Atlas
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Series X|S / PS4 / Linux / PC / PS5 / Mac / XONE / Switch - 8/1/2017
The Long Dark
Welcome to The Long Dark, the innovative exploration-survival experience Wired magazine calls "the pinnacle of an entire genre". The game 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. There are no zombies but only you, the cold, and all the threats Mother Nature can muster.
- Developer
- Hinterland Studio Inc.
- Publisher
- Hinterland Studio Inc.
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Critic average
76
Average of 25 scored external reviews.
User average
75
Average of 1 saved user rating.
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Serious / dark / groundedDefining · Curated baseline
Highly replayableDefining · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyDefining · Curated baseline
Systems / mechanics-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureDefining · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Side-content richDefining · Curated baseline
Show 11 more descriptors
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenStrongly · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyModerately · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedSlightly · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedNot present · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
Short / focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Bars show a weighted description signal from player answers and curated baseline data.
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
76
25 scored reviews
Total coverage
25
All coverage currently scored
Score range
50–90
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 76 across 25 scored reviews, with a 40-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 80–89 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
25 included scored reviews
90–1004 reviews · 16%
80–8911 reviews · 44%
70–794 reviews · 16%
Below 706 reviews · 24%
Showing 1-10 of 25 matching critic reviews. 25 total critic reviews. Page 1 of 3.
Bill Lavoy
ShacknewsThe Long Dark review: Pinnacle of survival
Published 10/9/2021
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+14 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalKira C
Pure NintendoReview: The Long Dark (Nintendo Switch)
Published 10/16/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
+9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalRob Larkin
Gaming NexusThe Long Dark Review - Gaming Nexus
Published 10/12/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
70
-6 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJordan Biordi
CGMagazineThe Long Dark (Nintendo Switch) Review
Published 10/7/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
60
-16 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalJoel DeWitte
Nintendo World ReportThe Long Dark (Switch) Review
Published 10/6/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalStuart Gipp
Nintendo LifeReview: The Long Dark - Just Like Real Life, Nature Is Your Enemy Here
Published 10/3/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalDavid McDougall
XboxEraReview: The Long Dark
Published 4/16/2020
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
90
+14 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalT.K. Hale
GamingTrendGamingTrend The Long Dark Review
Published 11/12/2019
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
85
+9 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalCody Long
Niche GamerThe Long Dark Review - Sub-Zero Subsistence - Niche GamerThe Long Dark Review - Sub-Zero Subsistence - Niche Gamer
Published 1/28/2019
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
80
+4 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
Player reviews
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