The Long Dark drops to $4.99 on Steam with a 75% discount
The Long Dark, one of the most respected survival games on Steam, is currently available at a major discount. Developed and published by Hinterland Studio, this atmospheric wilderness survival experience is now 75% off, bringing the price down to $4.99 for a limited time.
Originally released on Steam on August 1, 2017, The Long Dark places players in the unforgiving frozen wilderness of Canada, where survival depends on preparation, patience, and smart decision-making. Instead of relying on monsters or supernatural threats, the game builds tension through nature itself. Cold weather, hunger, exhaustion, illness, wildlife, and poor planning can all bring your journey to an abrupt end.
The main survival mode challenges players to explore a large world divided into multiple regions. Every area offers its own risks and opportunities, from abandoned buildings and frozen lakes to deep forests and dangerous mountain paths. To stay alive, players must search for supplies, manage warmth, find food, collect tools, hunt, fish, and decide when to move and when to shelter.
There are more than 100 items to discover, and each one can make a difference. A simple match, a can of food, or a warm piece of clothing can be the thing that keeps you alive one more day. Random events also help make the world feel unpredictable, meaning no two survival runs play out exactly the same way.
For players who prefer a narrative experience, The Long Dark also includes Wintermute, a story mode told across five episodes. It follows pilot Will Mackenzie and doctor Astrid Greenwood after a plane crash caused by a mysterious geomagnetic disaster. Stranded in the wilderness, they must survive while uncovering what happened and searching for a way forward.
In addition to survival and story modes, the game features challenge mode. These shorter scenarios usually last between one and three hours and offer specific objectives for players to complete. Successfully finishing challenges can also unlock rewards that carry over into survival mode, giving players an extra reason to test their skills.
The Long Dark remains highly rated on Steam, with 88% of more than 125,000 user reviews marked as positive. Many players praise its tense survival mechanics, immersive atmosphere, haunting soundtrack, and distinct visual style. The game is often appreciated for how grounded it feels. There are no fantasy creatures chasing you through the snow; instead, the real danger comes from cold, starvation, wolves, injury, and the consequences of your own choices.
That said, the game is not without criticism. Some players have found the story mode less compelling than the open-ended survival experience. Others have reported bugs, while the slower pace may not appeal to those looking for fast action. The Long Dark is intentionally methodical, rewarding careful planning rather than quick reflexes.
At $4.99, the current Steam deal makes The Long Dark an appealing option for fans of survival games, exploration, harsh environments, and atmospheric storytelling. The discount is expected to end on October 15, 2026, after which the price is set to return to $19.99.
For players looking for a challenging survival game that focuses on realism, isolation, and difficult choices, The Long Dark is worth considering while the 75% discount is available.
