One thing Green Hell does better

[humblehome]

As a whole, this game is vastly superior to Green Hell, which I played recently. But Green Hell does a somewhat better job at being intuitive, so that if you know how the real world works, you can usually guess correctly about what is possible in the game. Examples of ways in which TLD is counter-intuitive: You can leave meat on the open ground and it won't attract animals; running away from a wolf who is stalking you is a good strategy; nearly every wolf and every bear is eager to pick a fight with you; and plastic water bottles appear and disappear out of nowhere. The niche that both of these games have is that they take place more or less in the real world--not in a land of castles and dragons, not in outer space, and not in an environment overrun with zombies. I hope that if Hinterland makes another survival game, they will lean hard into the realism, because what sets these games apart from 95% of the other games out there.

[Thompson]

I think you pointed out one of the biggest misconceptions there seems to be with this game (and Green hell) in that they are supposed to be "realistic" when their really not.

There are certain elements of survival based in a real country, sure, but that's as close as they get to "reality". Both games are based on fictional stories taking place in an alternative universe and that's it.

This particular game is based around the story and the story itself isn't really realistic either. It's just a fictional story. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

A plane goes down for an unknown reason. That's not realistic.
You're in a apocalyptic world. That's not realistic.
Wolves and Bears attack you on site. That's not realistic.
The animals glow green and are far more aggressive during an Aurora. That's not realistic.
The player can't even jump. That's not realistic.

I could go on and on. My point is, if you (or anyone) were expecting this game to be close to "reality" then you you should've done more research before buying the game (or Green Hell).

However, I do agree that I would like see Hinderland expand off of this game and create one with more realistic aspects because they came close to it with TLD.

[humblehome]

I understand that Hinterland wasn't aiming for realism. But some of my favorite games are the ones that try to be realistic in as many ways as possible. Games are never going to be completely realistic, but some get closer than others, and I like those games.

[MadBone12]

Originally posted by humblehome:

I understand that Hinterland wasn't aiming for realism. But some of my favorite games are the ones that try to be realistic in as many ways as possible. Games are never going to be completely realistic, but some get closer than others, and I like those games.

There are different ways that games can make things feel realistic. One is by implementing real-world mechanics. Another is through immersion and atmosphere. Mostly, TLD excels in the second way. If they really went for realism, they would also need to add things like dealing with basic hygiene needs and bodily functions, illness due to the lack of variety in our diets, snow shovelling etc. Personally, those are not mechanics which really interest me. They would also need to remove certain things such as unprovoked attacks by animals, short healing time when we are ill or injured, and carrying around 45kgs on our back without slowing down while trudging in deep snow while wearing leather shoes.

I prefer the more immersive, atmospheric experience of TLD in comparison to some other games which focus on more real life mechanics (Green Hell included, which I grew bored of quickly).

[Imran Khan]

I didn't enjoy the experience of Green Hell. There is no pilgrim or voyager level and you learn how to play by dying every possible way, and the map never changes so it's not really replayable, just knowing what you have to do first, second, third, etc. It's a really creepy place, that's the main thing. TLD makes me wish I was really outside in the mountains.

[DystOptimist]

Originally posted by humblehome:

As a whole, this game is vastly superior to Green Hell, which I played recently. But Green Hell does a somewhat better job at being intuitive, so that if you know how the real world works, you can usually guess correctly about what is possible in the game. Examples of ways in which TLD is counter-intuitive: You can leave meat on the open ground and it won't attract animals; running away from a wolf who is stalking you is a good strategy; nearly every wolf and every bear is eager to pick a fight with you; and plastic water bottles appear and disappear out of nowhere. The niche that both of these games have is that they take place more or less in the real world--not in a land of castles and dragons, not in outer space, and not in an environment overrun with zombies. I hope that if Hinterland makes another survival game, they will lean hard into the realism, because what sets these games apart from 95% of the other games out there.

There are lots of things Green Hell does better than The Long Dark.

Compelling story that makes sense.

Better eating and health system.

A consistent roadmap and on time delivery of new content that doesn't completely break the game.

Only problem with Green Hell is that it's too easy. Because of the setting, food and resources are just too abundant and there's really no challenge.

My go to survival game these days is Project Zomboid. TLD and GH offer no real challenge, but all survival games suffer from the same limited. Once you get to a base level of skill, it becomes rinse and repeat.

[Уединение]

This game is a lot better than green hell. I refunded green hell soon as it started raining. The cheap rain package they bought from unity really ruined the immersion.

[DystOptimist]

Originally posted by Snow:

This game is a lot better than green hell. I refunded green hell soon as it started raining. The cheap rain package they bought from unity really ruined the immersion.

That's fine. I've enjoyed both games. I just think Creepy Jar is a better run company than Hinterlands.

If Green Hell was a little more difficult, I would play it more. But, it's just too easy.

[DystOptimist]

Originally posted by JayXL:

Originally posted by DystOptimist:

TLD and GH offer no real challenge

Um, what?

Either you're the greatest survival player ever, or you're just not playing these games right. Get back to us when you can totally dominate DMC or NOGOA.

Haha, why bother? I've been there and done those challenges. I was there when Kinna created DMC to troll Xero.

User created challenges are all well and good, but I was referring to the base games. Once you are familiar with mechanics and maps, all survival games suffer. it's a problem with the genre as a whole.

[MadBone12]

Originally posted by DystOptimist:

User created challenges are all well and good, but I was referring to the base games. Once you are familiar with mechanics and maps, all survival games suffer. it's a problem with the genre as a whole.

DMC/NOGOA is the base game. You don't need mods or DLC for either. You just need to use the tools the developers made available.

[Уединение]

Originally posted by DystOptimist:

Originally posted by Snow:

This game is a lot better than green hell. I refunded green hell soon as it started raining. The cheap rain package they bought from unity really ruined the immersion.

That's fine. I've enjoyed both games. I just think Creepy Jar is a better run company than Hinterlands.

If Green Hell was a little more difficult, I would play it more. But, it's just too easy.

Wouldn't take much to be better than hinterland. Game has been out for years and we don't even have a fully modeled character. Can't see your feet when you look down etc. It's all about how we can make more money not improving QOL things that really matter.

[AnAngelOfDeath]

Originally posted by ACS36:

More realism would not improve the game. There is a line where too much realism in a game lead that game to become uninteresting. In many cases realism remove the challenge of playing the game all together.

Although I agree with what you said one area of realism that I would like to see implemented in The Long Dark 2, should there ever be such a game and I hope that there is, is seamless gameplay when opening a door, no cutaway to load the building interior. It's a little thing but it would help in making an already immersive game more immersive. Cheers and may the wind always be at your back.