{"id":1373559,"date":"2025-10-28T17:20:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T17:20:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cUgmJUQ7LjpaWn2vG3TWBF"},"modified":"2025-10-28T17:20:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T17:20:10","slug":"one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/","title":{"rendered":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<div class=\"youtube-video\" data-nosnippet >\n<div class=\"video-aspect-box\"><iframe data-lazy-priority=\"low\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CR99LP_nays\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/darkwood\/\">Darkwood<\/a> is a top-down survival horror game, and if you&#8217;re wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is <em>probably more than you think<\/em>. I called Darkwood &#8220;wretched and pestilent&#8221; not long after it launched in 2017, and while I haven&#8217;t touched the game in years, I stand by that characterization\u2014which, to be clear, is entirely complimentary.<\/p>\n<p>(You don&#8217;t have to take my word for it\u2014have a look at that &#8220;overwhelmingly positive&#8221; rating across more than 20,000 user reviews <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/274520\/Darkwood\/\" target=\"_blank\">on Steam<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>So I was genuinely excited to learn today that a sequel, Darkwood 2, is now in development. This does not represent a comeback for original Darkwood developer Acid Wizard Studio, however: It remains in a state of long-term hiatus, which it <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/darkwood-studio-releases-new-games-alpha-then-promptly-says-its-going-on-hiatus-but-may-return-in-5-10-years-when-we-get-our-s-together\/\">embarked on in 2023<\/a> immediately after releasing an alpha for Soccer Kids, &#8220;a game about soccer made by people who suck at playing soccer.&#8221; Darkwood 2 is instead being made by Ice-Pick Lodge, the team best known for the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/pathologic-3\/\">Pathologic<\/a> games. Acid Wizard will remain involved in a consultancy role, and also maintains ownership of the series.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;For years, the idea of handing over our baby to another studio was something unthinkable for us,&#8221; Acid Wizard Studio co-founder Gustaw Stachaszewski said. &#8220;But, after it became evident that working together is not viable anymore, we decided that Darkwood should live on, even if not directly through our work.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re genuinely excited to pass on the torch to Ice-Pick Lodge\u2014creators whose work on Pathologic has inspired us for years. The team at IPL really gets what makes Darkwood a unique experience. We believe they will not only honor its spirit but will create something truly exceptional. As for us, we&#8217;ll be in the background, making sure it stays true to the original vision.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s a big part of what makes the Darkwood 2 news exciting. If Acid Wizard can&#8217;t make it, there&#8217;s no one I can imagine who&#8217;d be better to step in and take over than Ice-Pick Lodge, whose games reflect a very similar approach to horror: creepy, disturbing, relentlessly grim, and just <em>awful<\/em> in all the right ways. They&#8217;re not afraid to get weird as hell too, which is important in a venture like this.<\/p>\n<p>The new Darkwood looks (and, as far as I can tell from the brief trailer, plays) a lot like the old one, buttressed by a decade or so of technological advancement. Narratively, though, it&#8217;s an entirely separate experience, set in the 1990s on the dying remains of the Aral Sea, with &#8220;new lands and waters to explore, new creatures to fear, and new reasons to pray for the morning light.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery carousel-layout\">\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-wrap\" style=\"display:flex; flex-flow:row nowrap;\">\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 1 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"kcWrnhkw4Tj8hDg2LyMY7G\" name=\"Darkwood 2 home\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 2 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"GryrtjNvk2PARy5vtx2ySD\" name=\"Darkwood 2 what even happened here\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-1.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 3 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"iKknDzToRQBzCtDmvEbk5C\" name=\"Darkwood 2 this wont end well\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-2.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 4 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"RWMPmYzNze7DXYeTyXTGtB\" name=\"Darkwood 2 rowing boat 2\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-3.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 5 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"sFNqJkJTLk9rgqUjjMuugB\" name=\"Darkwood 2 rowing boat\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-4.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 6 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"9Et8WGcFhvqodDrSDFmDdB\" name=\"Darkwood 2 the redarkening\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-5.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 7 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"ZimERkLwd7G6v6BGn8i3bB\" name=\"Darkwood 2 darkness\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-6.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 8 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"9hhrCTtmrNkLoj8xPD4pd8\" name=\"Darkwood 2 still dark\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-7.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 9 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"BQZsCbYy7q8QrdN7yFcLT7\" name=\"Darkwood 2 confrontation\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-8.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 10 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"cxNBScJuGaNrMnyruW4DB7\" name=\"Darkwood 2 what on earth is that\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-9.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 11 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"ajv2hrWbjuCwVXSWVofchE\" name=\"Darkwood 2 event\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-10.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 12 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"bWscddnXjJZMYqLx76pANG\" name=\"Darkwood 2 dead sea\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel-11.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"inlinegallery-item\" style=\"flex: 0 0 auto;\"><span class=\"slidecount\">Image 13 of 13<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" data-bordeaux-image-check >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:3840px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"nXWDpQijcRpXciy6F79x7B\" name=\"Darkwood 2 darkness 2\" alt=\"Darkwood 2 screenshot\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nXWDpQijcRpXciy6F79x7B.png\" mos=\"\" link=\"\" align=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\"\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Ice-Pick Lodge)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>As for the story it tells, that&#8217;s a mystery to figure out: There are no quest markers or waypoints, just a big open world to explore, be creeped out by, and hopefully not die in. And, of course, a pressing question: &#8220;As the world loses its humanity, and as the so-called corruption of the forest spreads, one can&#8217;t help but wonder\u2014is it really better to remain human? Or would it be best to give in?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Darkwood 2 is &#8220;coming soon&#8221; and can be wishlisted now on Steam and the Microsoft Store. For now, you can pick up the original, excellent <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/274520\/Darkwood\/\" target=\"_blank\">Darkwood<\/a>, along with Ice-Pick Lodge&#8217;s <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/505230\/Pathologic_2\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pathologic 2<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/384110\/Pathologic_Classic_HD\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pathologic Classic HD<\/a>, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/250380\/Knockknock\/\" target=\"_blank\">Knock-Knock<\/a>, all at deep discounts in the annual Steam Scream Fest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"product\"><a data-dimension112=\"d8f254ba-b72a-485d-a5cd-08cc1a3c56e1\" data-action=\"Deal Block\" data-label=\"2025 games\" data-dimension48=\"2025 games\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \" >\n<div class='image-full-width-wrapper'>\n<div class='image-widthsetter' style=\"max-width:400px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:100.00%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" id=\"Vji3V6i3HDWUHeQ22PrjFL\" name=\"New Project (8).jpg\" caption=\"\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.jpg\" mos=\"\" align=\"middle\" fullscreen=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" attribution=\"\" endorsement=\"\" credit=\"\" class=\"\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/new-games-2025-upcoming-pc-release-schedule\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-dimension112=\"d8f254ba-b72a-485d-a5cd-08cc1a3c56e1\" data-action=\"Deal Block\" data-label=\"2025 games\" data-dimension48=\"2025 games\" data-dimension25=\"\"><strong>2025 games<\/strong><\/a>: This year&#8217;s upcoming releases<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/the-best-pc-games\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Best PC games<\/strong><\/a>: Our all-time favorites<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/the-50-best-free-pc-games\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Free PC games<\/strong><\/a>: Freebie fest<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/best-fps-games\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Best FPS games<\/strong><\/a>: Finest gunplay<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/best-rpgs-of-all-time\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Best RPGs<\/strong><\/a>: Grand adventures<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/the-best-co-op-games\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Best co-op games<\/strong><\/a>: Better together<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgamer.com\/games\/horror\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you&#8217;re wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is probably more than you think. I called Darkwood &#8220;wretched and pestilent&#8221; not long after it launched in 2017, and while I haven&#8217;t touched the game in years, I stand by that characterization\u2014which, to be clear, is entirely complimentary. (You don&#8217;t have to take my word for it\u2014have a look at that &#8220;overwhelmingly positive&#8221; rating across more than 20,000 user reviews on Steam.) So I was genuinely excited to learn today that a sequel, Darkwood 2, is now in development. This does not represent a comeback for original Darkwood developer Acid Wizard Studio, however: It remains in a state of&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"excerpt-more\"><a class=\"blog-excerpt button\" href=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1373560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[336],"tags":[748,1192],"class_list":["post-1373559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pc-gamer","tag-games","tag-horror"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you&#039;re wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you&#039;re wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Arcade News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Arcade News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Arcade News\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Arcade News\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839\"},\"headline\":\"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":702,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\",\"keywords\":[\"games\",\"Horror\"],\"articleSection\":[\"PC Gamer\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/\",\"name\":\"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839\"},\"description\":\"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you're wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png\",\"caption\":\"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"Arcade News\",\"description\":\"Free Arcade News from the Best Online Sources\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839\",\"name\":\"Arcade News\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Arcade News\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/cricketgames.tv\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/arcader.org\\\/news\\\/author\\\/arcade-news\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News","description":"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you're wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News","og_description":"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you're wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is","og_url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/","og_site_name":"Arcade News","article_published_time":"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Arcade News","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Arcade News","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/"},"author":{"name":"Arcade News","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839"},"headline":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel","datePublished":"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/"},"wordCount":702,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png","keywords":["games","Horror"],"articleSection":["PC Gamer"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/","url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/","name":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel | Arcader News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png","datePublished":"2025-10-28T17:20:10+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839"},"description":"Darkwood is a top-down survival horror game, and if you're wondering how horrific a top-down videogame could possibly be, let me assure you the answer is","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel.png","caption":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/one-of-the-best-top-down-survival-horror-games-of-all-time-is-getting-a-surprise-sequel\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"One of the best top-down survival horror games of all time is getting a surprise sequel"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/","name":"Arcade News","description":"Free Arcade News from the Best Online Sources","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/8460f5e5076b52fb2369f2f7ce6f2839","name":"Arcade News","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fea48a614d86edd987bc7bb25f4707c69546d4b1f78ad4aa20b26316bad1f9d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Arcade News"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/cricketgames.tv"],"url":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/author\/arcade-news\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1373559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1373559"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1373559\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1373560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1373559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1373559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1373559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}