The Long Dark
Released August 1, 2017 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, and Linux.
About 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.
Bright lights flare across the night sky. The wind rages outside the thin walls of your wooden cabin. A wolf howls in the distance. You look at the meager supplies in your pack, and wish for the days before the power mysteriously went out. How much longer will you survive?
Release dates by platform
Reviews & players
PC system requirements
Official specs from Steam
Minimum
| OS * | Windows 8 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Dual-Core Intel i5 CPU @ 2GHz+ |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Intel 4xxx Series w/ 512MB VRAM or better |
| Storage | 7 GB available space |
Recommended
| OS | Windows 10 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel i7 CPU @ 2.6GHz or higher |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | nVidia GTX 555 w/ 1GB VRAM or better |
| Storage | 7 GB available space |
The Long Dark FAQ
When did The Long Dark come out?
The Long Dark was released on August 1, 2017 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, and Linux.
Is The Long Dark on PlayStation 5?
Yes. The Long Dark launched on PlayStation 5 on November 11, 2025.
Is The Long Dark on Xbox Series X|S?
Yes. The Long Dark launched on Xbox Series X|S on June 19, 2025.
Is The Long Dark on Nintendo Switch 2?
No. The Long Dark has not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. It is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Mac, and Linux.
Who is making The Long Dark?
The Long Dark is developed by Hinterland Studio Inc..
Is The Long Dark multiplayer?
No. The Long Dark is single player only.
How much does The Long Dark cost?
The Long Dark costs $4.99 on Steam (75% off, normally $19.99). Prices checked October 9, 2026.
Is The Long Dark good?
Steam players rate it "Very Positive" — 89% of 124,070 reviews are positive. Critics average 82/100.
What are the minimum PC requirements for The Long Dark?
The minimum GPU is Intel 4xxx Series w/ 512MB VRAM or better. See the full minimum and recommended specs on our The Long Dark system requirements page.
