Darkwood is back. The survival horror game that traumatized players in 2017 with nothing but a top-down perspective and nightmarish sound design just got a sequel announcement on October 27, 2025. Darkwood 2 is coming to PC and Xbox Game Pass courtesy of publisher Hooded Horse, but there’s a twist that has the community divided. Original developer Acid Wizard Studio stepped aside, handing the reins to Ice-Pick Lodge, the team behind Pathologic. More controversially, the game is abandoning its signature 2D art style for full 3D graphics, and longtime fans are not holding back their disappointment.
From Forest to Dying Sea
Darkwood 2 takes place 10 years after the events of the original game, trading the oppressive Eastern European forest for the scorched deserts and murky waters of a dying sea. The announcement trailer shows the anomalous forest spreading to consume the Aral Sea region, transforming everything it touches into something twisted and wrong. Players will traverse barren deserts, thick marshes, and deep stagnant waters in a fragile rowboat, wondering what lurks beneath the surface.
The sequel maintains the core survival horror loop that made the original terrifying. By day, you roam freely scavenging resources and crafting weapons to protect yourself. By night, you seek shelter, building barricades and traps while praying you survive until morning. The game features no quest markers or waypoints, forcing players to rely on their wits and memory to navigate the dangerous world. Just like the first game, you’ll encounter strange NPCs with dark backstories and questionable motivations, each more disturbing than the last.
A Standalone Story
Hooded Horse and Ice-Pick Lodge confirmed that Darkwood 2 tells a completely new story with new characters. Players don’t need to have experienced the first game to understand what’s happening, though veterans will presumably catch references and understand the broader lore about the spreading forest corruption. The central question remains – is it better to stay human as the world loses its humanity, or should you give in to the forest’s call?
The Developer Handoff
When Acid Wizard Studio finished Darkwood in 2017, the small Polish team said they’d be taking a long break. In various interviews, developers hinted they might not return to game development for 20 years after the intense, draining experience of creating such a psychologically demanding horror game. That made the Darkwood 2 announcement surprising, but the bigger shock was learning Acid Wizard isn’t actually developing it.
Ice-Pick Lodge, the Russian studio behind the notoriously uncompromising Pathologic series, is handling development. Acid Wizard retains ownership of the IP and is consulting to ensure the sequel stays true to the original vision, but Ice-Pick Lodge is doing the actual work. Acid Wizard CEO Gustaw Stachaszewski addressed concerns directly, stating they believe Ice-Pick Lodge will not only honor Darkwood’s spirit but create something truly exceptional.
Ice-Pick Lodge’s Track Record
If any studio can match Darkwood’s oppressive atmosphere and uncompromising design, it’s Ice-Pick Lodge. Their Pathologic games are legendary for their punishing difficulty, bleak storytelling, and refusal to hold players’ hands. Pathologic 2 especially earned critical acclaim for its uniquely nightmarish take on survival horror, blending resource management with psychological dread in ways few other games attempt. The studio understands how to make players uncomfortable, which is exactly what Darkwood requires.
However, Ice-Pick Lodge comes with baggage. In March 2025, studio founder Nikolay Dybowski suddenly left following resurfaced accusations from 2021 regarding kidnapping and abuse. Former Ice-Pick developer Aleksey Luchin publicly called Dybowski a manipulative sociopath who is extremely articulate. The allegations cast a shadow over the studio, though work on Darkwood 2 has apparently continued without major disruption.
The 3D Art Style Controversy
The biggest source of fan anger is the switch from 2D to 3D graphics. The original Darkwood used a top-down perspective with stylized 2D sprites and clever line-of-sight mechanics that kept threats just out of view. The visual style was deliberately simple, letting sound design and atmosphere do the heavy lifting. Enemies would emerge from darkness at the edge of your vision, their grotesque forms rendered in unsettling detail through minimalist pixel art that left enough to imagination.
Darkwood 2’s trailer shows full 3D environments with a more realistic art direction. Deserts stretch into the distance. Water reflects light. Character models have visible detail and animation. For some fans, this completely misses the point. Reddit threads and Steam discussions are filled with complaints that the 3D graphics look too clean, too vibrant, and not scary at all. Multiple users expressed that the uncanny, stylized look of the original created way more dread than the new realistic approach.
Fan Reactions
One Steam community member wrote that the 3D style takes away the scariness, noting that all current screenshots look vibrant when Darkwood should feel oppressive and dark. Another Reddit user said they’re cautiously optimistic but really don’t like the new art style so far, calling it way less stylish than the first game. The consensus among skeptical fans is that 2D graphics weren’t a limitation to overcome but a deliberate artistic choice that defined Darkwood’s identity.
Supporters argue it’s too early to judge from a brief announcement trailer and a handful of screenshots. Ice-Pick Lodge might nail the atmosphere once the game is playable, and 3D environments could enable new gameplay possibilities impossible in the original’s fixed perspective. The studio has proven it understands horror with Pathologic. Maybe they know what they’re doing. But for every optimistic comment, there are three expressing disappointment over losing the original’s aesthetic.
What Made Darkwood Special
To understand why fans are protective of the art style, you need to understand what made Darkwood work. The 2017 game became a cult classic specifically because it rejected conventional horror game design. No jump scares. No cheap shocks. Just slow-building dread and the constant knowledge that when night falls, you’re in serious danger. The top-down perspective meant you couldn’t see around corners or behind objects, creating tension from what might be lurking just outside your line of sight.
The sound design was genuinely disturbing. Creatures made wet, organic noises. The forest groaned and whispered. Every creak and shuffle sent your heart racing because you couldn’t immediately tell where it came from or what caused it. Amy Josuweit writing for The Mary Sue praised the game for not relying on jump scares, creating what she called a PTSD-inclusive horror experience that terrified without triggering trauma responses.
Critical Acclaim
Darkwood holds an 80/100 on Metacritic based on 16 reviews. Metacritic included it in their top 100 best video games of 2017 list, and the game was nominated for Most Fulfilling Community-Funded Game at the 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards. IGN praised it for playing surprisingly well with a Switch Pro Controller and not taking cheap shots. The game built its reputation on doing horror differently, which is why changing the core visual identity feels risky to fans who loved that uniqueness.
Hooded Horse’s Growing Portfolio
Publisher Hooded Horse has been on an impressive run lately, becoming a powerhouse in indie publishing. They’ve backed critically successful titles across multiple genres, demonstrating a willingness to support strange, uncompromising games that bigger publishers would reject. Taking on Darkwood 2 fits their brand perfectly. The game is weird, niche, and unlikely to have mainstream appeal, but it has a dedicated fanbase hungry for more.
Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender stated that the original Darkwood is a unique experience in horror, mixing resource management and strategic survival into a rarely used top-down horror format. The company is honored to be part of the sequel and working with such a great team. That endorsement carries weight given Hooded Horse’s track record with quality indie releases.
When Can We Play It
The announcement trailer and Steam page both list Darkwood 2 as Coming Soon with no specific release date. Based on having trailer footage ready, the game could potentially launch sometime in 2026, but that’s pure speculation. Ice-Pick Lodge is also working on Pathologic 3 simultaneously, which might stretch development resources thin. Players hoping to explore the dying sea will need patience.
The game is confirmed for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, plus Xbox Game Pass on day one. There’s no mention of PlayStation or Nintendo platforms yet, though the original Darkwood eventually came to PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch after its PC launch. If Darkwood 2 succeeds on PC and Xbox, console ports will likely follow.
Can It Recapture the Magic
The central question surrounding Darkwood 2 is whether changing developers and visual style will destroy what made the original special. Acid Wizard Studio poured their souls into creating an oppressive, uniquely terrifying experience that didn’t need cutting-edge graphics or big budgets. Ice-Pick Lodge faces the challenge of honoring that vision while bringing their own creative perspective.
Pathologic proves Ice-Pick Lodge understands oppressive atmosphere and uncompromising game design. Their track record suggests they won’t soften Darkwood’s edges or make it more accessible just to reach wider audiences. But can they translate the specific dread of the original into 3D graphics? Can realistic environments feel as uncanny as stylized sprites? Will the sound design maintain that visceral, skin-crawling quality?
FAQs
When does Darkwood 2 release?
No release date has been announced. The Steam page and announcement trailer list the game as Coming Soon. Based on having trailer footage ready in October 2025, a 2026 release is possible but unconfirmed.
Who is developing Darkwood 2?
Ice-Pick Lodge, the Russian studio behind Pathologic and Pathologic 2, is developing Darkwood 2. Original creator Acid Wizard Studio retains IP ownership and is consulting on the project but not handling active development.
Do I need to play the first Darkwood?
No. Darkwood 2 features a standalone story with new characters set 10 years after the original. While veterans might appreciate references, new players can jump straight into the sequel without prior knowledge.
Why did Acid Wizard stop developing Darkwood games?
After finishing Darkwood in 2017, the small Polish team said they needed a long break from the intense, draining experience of creating such a psychologically demanding horror game. They hinted at potentially taking 20 years off from game development.
Is Darkwood 2 in 3D or 2D?
Darkwood 2 uses full 3D graphics, abandoning the original’s stylized 2D top-down perspective. This change has proven controversial with fans who felt the 2D art style was essential to the first game’s atmosphere.
What platforms is Darkwood 2 coming to?
Darkwood 2 is confirmed for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, plus Xbox Game Pass on day one. Console versions for PlayStation and Nintendo platforms haven’t been announced but seem likely given the original’s multi-platform release.
What is Ice-Pick Lodge known for?
Ice-Pick Lodge developed the Pathologic series, notoriously uncompromising survival horror games set in a plague-stricken town. Pathologic 2 especially earned critical acclaim for its unique blend of resource management, psychological horror, and refusal to hold players’ hands.
Will Darkwood 2 have the same gameplay as the original?
Yes, core mechanics return including day and night cycles, resource scavenging, shelter building, and no quest markers or waypoints. Players must survive nights by barricading themselves indoors while exploring during the day.
What is the setting of Darkwood 2?
The sequel moves from the original’s Eastern European forest to the Aral Sea region, featuring scorched deserts, marshes, and stagnant waters. The anomalous forest has spread to this new area, corrupting everything it touches.
Conclusion
Darkwood 2’s announcement should be cause for celebration. The original game is a masterpiece of atmospheric horror that terrified players without relying on cheap tricks or jump scares. Getting a sequel nearly a decade later is a gift, especially with Ice-Pick Lodge’s proven track record of creating uncompromising, psychologically devastating experiences. But the switch from stylized 2D to realistic 3D graphics has cast a shadow over the excitement. Fans who fell in love with Darkwood’s unique visual identity feel like something essential is being lost in translation. The original’s minimalist sprites and clever line-of-sight mechanics created dread precisely because they left so much to imagination. Full 3D environments might look impressive, but do they capture the same uncanny quality? Can realistic graphics feel as disturbing as abstract representations of horror? These questions won’t be answered until players actually experience Darkwood 2. Ice-Pick Lodge deserves the benefit of doubt given their experience with Pathologic, and Acid Wizard Studio’s involvement as consultants suggests they wouldn’t let the sequel betray the original vision. Maybe the 3D graphics will enable new forms of horror impossible in top-down 2D. Maybe the dying sea will be just as oppressive as the forest. Or maybe fans are right to worry that Darkwood 2 is abandoning what made the series special in pursuit of broader appeal. Until we see more gameplay, all we can do is wait, hope, and prepare ourselves for another nightmare. Just this time with polygons instead of pixels.