This is an updated review for The Long Dark, it will be continuously updated as the game develops.

Before the review begins, I have a small message. Since 2014, my fondest memories of that year and the years after and my time with steam, when I had no idea what it was, they are of my time with The Long Dark. It got me into survival games, grew a love for the outdoors in me and helped me voice my opinion in reviews. Despite increases in prices, Hinterland have outdone themselves, I follwoed them all the way through their early tests and their time on Kickstarter. The day Wintermute came out, I was teary and ecstatic. I know you won't see this, but thank you Hinterland, truly, for some of the fondest memories I have.

Alright, The Long Dark. my twelth review of this now. Since Wintermute's release and the updates in between, I've seen incredible improvement and support from the community. Let's get into the nitty-gritty.

Graphics:
Since 2014, the graphics in TLD have been overhauled numerous and seemingly neverending. But the improvement has been worthwhile and excellent, even to the point of detailed backgrounds, which once where almost like a child's drawings, now move and change with the environment. Details throughout foilage, fauna and even the cans of food, the detail in everything adds an incredible amount of realism and satisfaction.

Player Perspective and UI:
As with graphics, and everything with this game, the UI has been overhauled. what was originally bland became cluttered, then bland but has reach a balanced, simple layout. Instead of notifications of status popping up in the middle of the screen, condition, hunger, thirst, exhaustion and sprint remain in the bottom corners, the time of day in the top right and notifications about scent and wind in the middle. This usual, simple layout leaves the screen less cluttered and allows for the player to take in more detail and observe their surroundings more carefully. And the perspective of the player has adapted, with arms now being visible, changing with the item held, however an adaption for the limbs to change with the clothing should be made.

And finally, Gameplay:
The largest part of this review, the overall gameplay, has been overhauled more than anything. I'll start with player status; as with it's origins, the player's automated vocal responses change with the ambient temperature, weather or condition the player is in, as well as on location, with much more variety now.

The Food and Cooking system flows much better now, allowing the player to leave food cooking or water boiling whilst doing other activities.

Hunting and Fights with Animals are more immersive, with different tools dealing different types of damage, either killing or hindering the animal more. Hunting or Tracking relies on footprints or blood, which is now effected by the weather, lighter footprints will be left by walking animals, these are filled by snowstorms much easier than heavy footprints.

The Tool Management system, wiith cleaning, repairs and reading, feels more inclusive, with cleaning your rifle, reading books, repairing clothes and sharpening other tools increasing individual skills in Cooking, Firearms, Hunting, Carcass Harvesting, Fishing, Repairing and Fire Lighting, allowing for players to specialize in specific things by improving them.

And finally, the crafting and harvesting has recieved a significant overhaul, with every available resource playing a direct role, like birch saplings with arrow shafts, or a part in a grander scheme of achieving a single resource, like coal, the heavy hammer and scrap metal in acquiring arrowheads. Everything you harvest plays a role in extending your lifespan, the player needs only to see fit to what's important.

The Long Dark and its updates have left not only myself, but the community feeling more and more satisfied and happy with each update and new content release. Thanks for an excellent experience Hinterland, please continue to give me something to write about