The Long Dark
PS4 (Hinterland Studio)

There are a thousand ways to perish in the wilderness. Cold. Starvation. You might fall off a cliff or get kicked to death by a badger. Since The Long Dark is set in the Canadian outback, random moose attacks are a possibility. You play a pilot who crash lands in the aftermath of an environmental apocalypse. This is survival of the fittest, as you search for branches to build a fire and craft bandages to put on your wounds. Dawdle too long and your vital stats will plummet, turning you into a grizzly bear’s breakfast. The lack of a decent tutorial means you’re likely to encounter the Grim Reaper a few times before learning the ropes.

In narrative story mode, meet other survivors and learn how the world became banjaxed. In survival mode, the game comes to life. You might find yourself in a cave, cowering in the shadows while wolves stalk outside, or trekking through a blizzard back to your cosy hide-out. The Long Dark’s untold narratives will make you feel one with nature.