Darkwood's lack of jumpscares has an interesting backstory - the developers didn't start out wanting to make a horror game. They just made a highly accurate, hyperrealstic simulator about life in rural Eastern Europe.
This is why terror is *far* scarier than horror. Just thinking that something might jump out at you any second is worse than something actually jumping out at you.
For me, it’s dread or unsettling creepiness that takes much longer to desensitize to. That feeling on being on edge, waiting for something you don’t know. When you can fight, and something jumpscares you, past initial panic, you know how to dispatch or escape.
the saddest part of it is definitely the trader. he goes with you through the entire journey. hes the only one you can consider a friend. he does not betray you, and he does not ask much of you, besides to stay with him. and even when you leave him in his final hours, he tries to follow.
I mean, arguably he does “betray” you, since he hid the key from you entire time. He does it to protect you, but the neither the player or the protagonist know that, so it is kind of a betrayal in that sense
@@fungusmoon I always thought he WAS the protagonist but sent back in time. Hence his appearance being "hauntingly familiar" and having a decayed version of our notebook and key
@@malakicochran3888 the popular theory is that he’s a copy of the protagonist, made by the Being, since cloning, mutating and merging things seems to be a big part of its MO. You find the protagonists original clothes hanging from a tree (a hazmat suit, similar to the Trader - the protagonist is wearing clothes from a nearby scarecrow), so a common theory is that he’s a badly made copy. He could also be another one of the Outsiders. Time travel wouldn’t really make sense, since it isn’t an established part of the game’s world and lore - we have no precedent for it.
@@fungusmoon ohh that makes a lot more sense than my theory but idk if that explains the key. Did the Being copy that too or did the trader find one of our research buddies and loot his gear off him?
@@malakicochran3888 if the Trader *is* a copy then presumably the key would be too, based on the fact that he also has a (messed up, mushroomy) identical journal. But nothing’s ever been confirmed, so 🤷
This game very much reminds me of Fear and Hunger. Heavy use of terror over horror, depriving you of your senses, stacking all odds against you, making you think outside the box, and refusing to give you any help at all. If you give up, it’s not because the game failed to teach you (it never did in the first place) but because you refused to be patient and creative.
the fun part is. you don't HAVE to kill the swine. and if you repair the power cables and leave you actually help out the village and they dont have the leave. removing them from act 2
Without specific spoilers, the way you interact with the swine, the way you deal with the Wolf, and an npc’s quest have a pretty different effect on three different areas in the final area. There are also two major ways to end the game as well in the final area, I think with also a “true” ending.
@@fcukgogle9213 we live through nightmare everyday XD try and search yourself how old polish blocks look in the winter. We live in probably the most depressing shit hole on earth
I don't know about all the stones, but the one "stone" that one guy dug out of his skull was supposed to be a bullet, mishapen by it's impact in his skull. I'm pretty sure that's the read there...
It's more interesting than that, he's also a replica that's why his voice is distorted, it's one of the direct examples of a replica the game gives you Nearby him you can find a dead man with a shot on his skull, the roots nearby create the replica of said dead man that we meet
I think the mushrooms are a significant symbol in this game, especially if you think about what the organism making up a mushroom is, how 1 single entity can encompass areas as large as a forest, how they can appear independent yet all be part of one living thing. I think it is definitely metaphorical for what the “being” at the heart of the woods is/how it works.
The soldier in the photo at Piotrek's house is a photo of Yuri Gagarin, worlds first astronaut, probably an inspiration for Piotrek. Also in the village's north-western part there's a shed with the other part of the Madman's notes from Sow's "treasure" locker
I didn’t know about Yuri, that’s really interesting! I actually opened the madman’s container in the village but that footage was corrupted so that never made it into the video 😅
@@stuartburns8657 Yes if you have an interest in space, but not everyone does so claiming that they oh let’s say America for instance makes no sense as a insult.
Who else saw the "Eat her" prompt with the old lady and had the opposite reaction from the vid. The game had REALLY gotten to me at that point in the game and I did something I probably shouldn't have.
The stranger awoke beneath the tree. Upon realizing where he was, and what had happened to him, he had a single thought: "They all must burn." And so it was.
My argument is that it isn't that jump scares aren't scary or that we're desensitized but that they are so poorly executed that it's not scary. Not to mention it's not that the person is scared but surprised. Many you can see telegraphed a mile away, many don't earn that jump scare, such as with Fnaf you become accustomed to your failures being met with them (edit: as at first it's scary but the repetition and acknowledging your mistakes that ruins a run removes that fear). The mortuary assistant for example had great jump scares because it didn't project it a mile away but instead wisely used them from subtle to not so subtle ways.
The makings of a good jumpscare come from building up tension & suspense with a proper atmosphere. Jumpscares are merely the expenditure of that tension. It’s like sitting on a whoopy cushion. It has to be properly blown up before someone sits on it or otherwise it won’t be funny. A whoopy cushion with no air has no payoff or reason to exist. So jumpscares by themselves are certainly startling but as you said they can definitely be clearly (& moronically) telegraphed & it’s easy to become desensitized to them if they aren’t done properly
@@blu7384 I thought I had mentioned atmosphere playing a large part in the success of a good scare, guess I deleted while trying to mention MA. It had the atmosphere, the tension, and the scares worked so well. I still maintain the belief that we're not desensitized, the scares are not good and we get too many pale imitations of the ones that really aren't scary just lore bait.
FNAF was never scary or anything, the atmosphere was never anything but dirty, no one starts liking it now besides children who are easily impressed, in fact, stuff like FNAF are guilty of lowering the standards of horror gaming to the absurd chicle trash we have today
I have forgotten which game it was, but best jump scare I ever seen was the one that never happened. The game had several strategically placed jump scares, with proper build up and everything. At one point, it had all the build up, leading the player along an empty corridor with plenty of shadows and nooks for scares to jump out from. With every step the tension rises, until getting to the end and able to leave the corridor without any jump scare.
4:57 I'd argue that the date might instead be the 12 of June 1985 since the game is a Polish development and the medical text earlier is written also in Polish.
clicked on this with intentions of listening while i draw, BUT BY GOD your narration was compelling, i couldnt take my attention away from your video 100/10
That’s not what’s happening silly, humans are turning INTO the animals. The game explores lots of transmorgifical horror, as you’ll find out. This is reinforced by some beings you meet later such as a snail
@@DisatiereI love “his” jacket. He shot a man for it. A bullet hole over the heart. Makes him so badass! Kinda mad he doesn’t sell me shotgun shells though…
Don't fret, the fungus give you a longlasting, brutal bliss. Join the community where the hivemind share an eternal suffering and blessing together, come in.
This is a phenomonal video and you are a fantastic script writer. Sometimes I toss on videos while I play games and hardly pay attention to them - I found my attention drifting to your video and far less to my game. I found you originally through your more recent video and I'm craving more of your stuff. I've seen some other comments on your videos whining about your "monotone" voice but I think you actually nail talking your audience through a video. Your tone treats your content with the respect it deserves IMO. There's no overexaggeration, no totally flat read, and the voice that you give the world and characters has me hooked. I'm an English major which is a total aside, but I've listened to video essay upon video essay and have found very very few which are this enjoyable. There are no dramatics for shock factor as you walk me through the world; instead, you've made me feel something for characters in a game I've indeed never played and for a world I've never known. You've presented me with ideas and concepts in a way that feels like a storyteller taking my hand; I appreciate that. Keep it up man. Looking forward to more. Absolutely subbed and I could listen to you talk all day about games and other things.
I don't know whether I'm glad I turned 100% of my attention to enjoy the video or peeved that I got all of my supplies set up and proceeded to let nearly two hours go by without doing any actual work. To be clear, that's a major compliment. My attention is usually divided between videos and whatever piece of jewlery I'm making. Well done.
@@CordeliaWagner1999 That's a shitty take, people with ADHD can also need constant stimulation and background noise, and long video essays can help some of us focus on tasks by essentially occupying the background opened tabs in our brain. You don't need to criticize it unfairly and attack people just because you don't understand.
My dude, you literally popped up on my recommend page and I thought that, because of the epic quality the video has, your where doing videos for years, to find out this is your first video in the channel left me speechless, you definitely earned a new subscriber and fan, I hope there are more videos coming, totally loved it, got me hooked from the very beginning, keep it up brother!
Saw your video popped on my recomendations recently and i decided to watch it. 20 minutes in i was already hooked by how good your editing and storytelling is. 👏👏👏
I enjoyed the video, but it ain't no essay. Of any kind. It's just a retelling of the story. It's fun and well done, but the only actually original content is basically voice acting and editing of game footage.
Thank you so much for making this video. Between the long runtime, the quality and how calming your voice is, I already know it's going to be one of those specific type of videos I can come back to when I have difficult sensory days. Can't wait to see your future work !
I love how you portrayed the game experience. What I like about this game is that it really feels like a survival game, sometimes you can get lucky but never overpowered, and the fact that they don't teach you must stuff you should know adds to the survival experience.
I was disappointed to see yoy dont have any other videos. But then i realized i get to be there as the channel grows and changes. I cant wait to see what yhe future holds. Thank you for an amazing video and a new favorite channel! Look forward to seeing more mate.
I've watched a bunch of playthroughs and other videos telling the story of this game but yours nailed the setting the best & really immersed me, good job, you got a sub!
"Is there anything left out there thats scary?" Yes, very much its the things that play on psychilogical horror which never really loses its potency bc it plays on deep psychological fears and traumas
Ive played Darkwood a few years ago and I think its the best depiction of a Lovecraftian game right up there with Sunless Skies. Not just a game that borrows Lovecraftian elements or set in a Lovecraft universe, but is in itself Lovecraftian. Were talking about unexplainable cosmic horror that claws into your brain.
hey dude. I just watched this all the way through. I wanted to commend you on all the time and effort you put into making this video. the caption is right, I've never heard of this game or series, but this really took an immersive deep dive into the game. Thanks for sharing man and keep it up.
this is awesome!! thank you for covering darkwood, i cant play most games for one reason or another and watch lore vids instead and this was such a treat! looking forward to seeing more!
Hey man well done! I really enjoyed it- the game’s art direction is super interesting. I wanted to thank you for the top notch quality and smooth presentation. I like the way you edited the gameplay, I got the feel of progressing but you kept the clips short and to the point and swiftly moved ahead… but also took time to slow down and let the dialogue sections play out at their own pace. Very cool style of editing man! Audio sounded great too- the ambient music seemed perfect and your narration and insight was spot on. Thanks for introducing me to this game- I look forward to seeing what you make in the future
i was waiting for someone to play the game but didn’t find any long videos but this one does a great job. the music, the narration, the music, it’s all great. love the video, keep up the great work
The editing in this is top notch :O Love the inclusion of classical music and memes. I tend to do the same in my mind to avoid gettin gtoo unnerved, because this game looks just so darn interesting! Mostly because of how you narrate it. If I could gather the courage to play survival horror games, I'd get this one.
1:37:18 I thought the Stones were just literally the Being manipulating your gaze and guiding you through the forest, or at least some aspect of the Being’s influence on the Protagonist.
I'm delighted by this video. Darkwood is one of my favorite games of all time, and I love seeing new interpretations and people dissecting it. This was an incredible analysis, and I'm looking forward to more from you! For a first video, it's very professional and well put together. Thank you for the show of love towards this strange game I love so dearly.
Found your channel through your SOMA video and decided to sub. good stuff, keep it up! You kept my attention through a whole work shift, so that’s an accomplishment!
Pyros Video is cool and all, but this here is still the best video on Darkwood by a long shot. Not too long, not too short. You've told the story in a great way, even my girlfriend was really interested and she's not into video games at all. She had so many questions afterwards and basically pulled an all nighter reading into the story and stuff 😅 She read "Roadside Picnic" afterwards because it really is similar in vibe. She usually reads fantasy "unicorn, dragon and new adult" stuff, now she's into bleak and depressed shit. Funny how a video about a game can do that. She wants me to tell you, that your voice and pacing is great and she would listen to audiobooks read buy you, but only depressing shit lmao 😂
Man, the atmosphere of not only the game but the video is stellar! I’m so glad for RUclipsrs like you who make such wonderful videos on games like this that I’ll never play because I’d be too scared to 😅
AHHH THIS VIDEO WAS SO GOOD TO WATCH! Very engaging, loved the gameplay clips. Both long enough to show key scenes and details and short enough to keep from getting boring. Keep up the good work!
No... You can't make a video of this quality and only have one video? I was so happy to be like "Oh cool another person to binge all their videos." Then I go to the channel and THIS WAS IT!? This isn't gunna fly, I'm gunna need more videos. I'll be patiently watching other videos in the mean time. I got my eyes on you!
So happy that RUclips recommended me this video, you’re so eloquent with your analysis and descriptions and it was such a pleasure watching you 😭😭💯💯💯🫶 obviously subscribed, can’t wait for more content!!!
wait this is your first video ever?? amazing truly, can't wait to watch some more, thank you for taking the time as well, hope you become hella successful
man. your storytelling, the editing, the character voices, the ambiance... spectacular work. literally professional audiobook quality. you completely hypnotized me with the experience of this twisted world. fantastic, absolutely spectacular work.
I've played a lot of Triple A horror title games like amnesia: the dark descent, outlast, alien isolation, penumbra, playable teaser, alan wake, DOOM 3, silent hill 2, Dead Space and cursed forest..but man, Darkwood is the only 2D horror game that i feel serious fear and tension especially during nightime. Red chompers, huge dogs, and banshees are freakin' nightmares. The deep lore and mechanics of Darkwood made me fall in love with this game. The gameplay's a bit similar to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. shadow of chernobyl. Very underrated, yet one of the best horror game out there.
@@charlissedelapena5167 Amnesia is absolutely not a AAA title. Outlast is absolutely not a AAA title. "Playable Teaser" is a proof of concept demo, not a full game and so does not count as an AAA title. Penumbra is not a AAA title. Alan Wake was also not a AAA title. So obviously you do not actually know what AAA means, as already stated.
Amazing video! Needs to blow up, its so well made! I came looking for a long video explaining a game I'll never play but wanna know about to have on while I eat and clean
A really good playthru, there are some things that were missed, but that's the nature of a game like this! There's always other choices you can make. Stuff like the little elephant boy not wanting to go back to his family, letting the villagers in the quarry live, letting the violinist have the key or even just killing the chicken granny, letting the sow live and being an enemy of the wolf, the secret short cut ending, and locations like the wedding that are all still there to explore. It's such a rich game with so many interesting things! And while the smaller decisions don't effect the major endings by much, they do change the story blurbs at the ending when it tells you what became of the residents of the woods.
Popped this video on to listen to while I work , and and hour and fourty minutes later I have not done any work and poured all of my focus into this video. I’m so excited to see where this channel goes. Fantastic video. I could listen to hours of your commentary on games!
Excellent video essay on a game I've never heard of nor will I play. Finishing your video and reading the breakdown on Steam made me realize that this game has the similar plot and cosmic horror of Annihilation (book and movie) which may or may not have inspired this game. It's a shame you don't have more videos. This was really good!
@@whoawhoa4062 ???? its literally called darkwood: the most disturbing game you never played. did you expect something other than the game???? did you think it's for people who've already played the game ???? that's entirely on you .
Darkwood is my favorite game of all time, I even have a big tattoo of the protagonist on my arm but there was stuff in this video I've never even seen before. Awesome video man, earned a subscriber for sure can't wait to see what you put out next!
I just wanted to let you know that I come back to watch this almost weekly. The way you tell this game’s story is perfect background noise for when I can listen in for a minute or three at a time and then focus back on what I’m doing, and also putting me to bed despite the subject matter when it’s late lmao. thanks for helping an insomniac out bro.
You made me put BOTH earphones on for this one. Got me hooked and immersed almost immediately. So confident this video is gonna slap I'm writing this before I'm even half way through the vid.
Wow, found out about a great looking game and a new channel on the same day. The part with the chicken lady is a pretty cool take on little red riding hood, the lumberjack helps the wolf kill the grandma and eat little red. Pretty cool. You're going to grow fast. Keep up the good work!
This is phenomenal, not many videos make me truly want to play a game, but this one makes me want to. Thank you, one question is are the voices in game actually voices or did you add them in? Great video regardless!
Each time a video from you comes up, I end up watching everything you've done over again a few times, trying to expand my understanding, just a little more. I keep thinking about games you might do, and then you do something I'd never expected instead. Thank you.
Dude I am BEGGING YOU!!! I absolutely NEED more long-form videos like this, the script is so well-written, your voice is pleasant to listen to, you have very insightful comments about the games and an honestly really good storytelling style with the "we take our first steps" and "we find this" I feel genuinely included despite never having played Darkwood or SOMA, genuinely incredible work! But of course, please take your time with them, this kind of quality can only be done with a huge team or a substantial time investment and I praise you for your work.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, great editing and script. Really enjoyed it, keep the videos coming!
Thank you! And thank you for making such an amazing game!!
@@BeamBuddyy Disurbing game my ass
what a great game fr
@@frozezone2947 if you look at it from an angel it is disturbing
@@frozezone2947 kid
Recently got into this game and it’s insane. I didn’t want to watch this video to avoid spoilers but you had me hooked. Excellent job man
Hi Nexpo :3
Huge Fan :) Never expected to see you here. Thanks a ton!
I’ve played this game loads and you still showed me things I’ve never seen before! Great video!
Bruh make a video on it when you're done! Love your stuff
Lol thats crazy, I just got this game a week ago and I'm hooked.
Darkwood's lack of jumpscares has an interesting backstory - the developers didn't start out wanting to make a horror game. They just made a highly accurate, hyperrealstic simulator about life in rural Eastern Europe.
I can see that. Europe is known for its fungal horrors and tree like entities
The jumpscare is realizing you are in poland
@@flow185My worst fear
Haven't watched the video. But the game has jumpscares. Scariest one's I've ever seen in a game.
@@sonwig5186 "Lack of" can mean it doesn't have many, right? Maybe that's what they meant, if the game does have some jumpscares.
This is why terror is *far* scarier than horror. Just thinking that something might jump out at you any second is worse than something actually jumping out at you.
Clearly something has never jumped out at you in real life.
@@theeasypeasysquad4169it’s like being to an extreme haunted house; the fear of something jumping at you is worse than it happening
For me, it’s dread or unsettling creepiness that takes much longer to desensitize to.
That feeling on being on edge, waiting for something you don’t know.
When you can fight, and something jumpscares you, past initial panic, you know how to dispatch or escape.
@@SpongeBob-lt8mu if you get jumped in a dark ally and get stabbed, its definitely worse than being scared of it.
@@theeasypeasysquad4169besides that "example", we're talking about videogames, definitely the horror works better than terror in this situation
the saddest part of it is definitely the trader. he goes with you through the entire journey. hes the only one you can consider a friend. he does not betray you, and he does not ask much of you, besides to stay with him. and even when you leave him in his final hours, he tries to follow.
I mean, arguably he does “betray” you, since he hid the key from you entire time. He does it to protect you, but the neither the player or the protagonist know that, so it is kind of a betrayal in that sense
@@fungusmoon I always thought he WAS the protagonist but sent back in time. Hence his appearance being "hauntingly familiar" and having a decayed version of our notebook and key
@@malakicochran3888 the popular theory is that he’s a copy of the protagonist, made by the Being, since cloning, mutating and merging things seems to be a big part of its MO. You find the protagonists original clothes hanging from a tree (a hazmat suit, similar to the Trader - the protagonist is wearing clothes from a nearby scarecrow), so a common theory is that he’s a badly made copy. He could also be another one of the Outsiders. Time travel wouldn’t really make sense, since it isn’t an established part of the game’s world and lore - we have no precedent for it.
@@fungusmoon ohh that makes a lot more sense than my theory but idk if that explains the key. Did the Being copy that too or did the trader find one of our research buddies and loot his gear off him?
@@malakicochran3888 if the Trader *is* a copy then presumably the key would be too, based on the fact that he also has a (messed up, mushroomy) identical journal. But nothing’s ever been confirmed, so 🤷
This game very much reminds me of Fear and Hunger. Heavy use of terror over horror, depriving you of your senses, stacking all odds against you, making you think outside the box, and refusing to give you any help at all. If you give up, it’s not because the game failed to teach you (it never did in the first place) but because you refused to be patient and creative.
Doing a video that soon!
@@BeamBuddyythank god, we've been waiting for a video from pyro for years, finally we have a content creator that doesn't create slop for money
@@BeamBuddyy If you hadn't earned my sub with this video, you'd definetely have by teasing a video on F&H. Looking forward to it!
Definitely also getting some Juni Itto/Uzumaki vibes.
the fun part is. you don't HAVE to kill the swine. and if you repair the power cables and leave you actually help out the village and they dont have the leave. removing them from act 2
What happens to mushroom granny!!!😭😭
@bitmaptriad5066 Granny is okay and for your own consumption. If you please
I was extremely curious about alternative methods of going on
@CGoody564 needless to say this disgusts the Wolfman. He even spits in your face.
Without specific spoilers, the way you interact with the swine, the way you deal with the Wolf, and an npc’s quest have a pretty different effect on three different areas in the final area.
There are also two major ways to end the game as well in the final area, I think with also a “true” ending.
“You can cover me with something if you don’t want to look at me. Please, just let me stay…” Horror with a side of feels
the best kind of horror :>!
There's a quote I recently saw here that stuck with me similar to this
"Horror doesn't work without empathy"
Wooah, who said that?
@@happytrigger9781the musician at 1:06:50
As a polish person I can confirm this is how we live day to day
Gather wood and gas, board up windows, drink Zywiec and vodka, fend off the creatures from the forest.
I bought this game not knowing this was another Polish company who made this, my gosh you guys are damn good at making games, why is that?
@@fcukgogle9213 we live through nightmare everyday XD try and search yourself how old polish blocks look in the winter. We live in probably the most depressing shit hole on earth
fr brother
Just another day in Sosnowiec/Bydgoszcz
I don't know about all the stones, but the one "stone" that one guy dug out of his skull was supposed to be a bullet, mishapen by it's impact in his skull. I'm pretty sure that's the read there...
It's more interesting than that, he's also a replica that's why his voice is distorted, it's one of the direct examples of a replica the game gives you
Nearby him you can find a dead man with a shot on his skull, the roots nearby create the replica of said dead man that we meet
It's implied the main character or someone from his squad executed him for trying to use their tunnels to escape.
I think the mushrooms are a significant symbol in this game, especially if you think about what the organism making up a mushroom is, how 1 single entity can encompass areas as large as a forest, how they can appear independent yet all be part of one living thing. I think it is definitely metaphorical for what the “being” at the heart of the woods is/how it works.
Indeed, the largest organism in the world is a mushroom that spans several miles
The soldier in the photo at Piotrek's house is a photo of Yuri Gagarin, worlds first astronaut, probably an inspiration for Piotrek.
Also in the village's north-western part there's a shed with the other part of the Madman's notes from Sow's "treasure" locker
I didn’t know about Yuri, that’s really interesting! I actually opened the madman’s container in the village but that footage was corrupted so that never made it into the video 😅
@@BeamBuddyyI bet you are American, right?
@@ichigomfI bet you are Russian right?
@@aguywithadog1663Any body with a vague interest in space regardless of what nation you come from, should know Yuri was the 1st man in space
@@stuartburns8657 Yes if you have an interest in space, but not everyone does so claiming that they oh let’s say America for instance makes no sense as a insult.
Who else saw the "Eat her" prompt with the old lady and had the opposite reaction from the vid. The game had REALLY gotten to me at that point in the game and I did something I probably shouldn't have.
Cant let the villagers have her all to themselves!
mmm tasty
*It's finger lickin good'*
Eat her out 💀
She was probably delicious
I cant believe this is your first video. I would have assumed from the quality youve been doing this for some time. Damn impressive. Good job man
This is his first video? Omg it's so good!🎉😂
theres a lot of high quality videos out there this guy can get inspiration to make his videos
This is the first video??
I liked to imagine that corpse talking about the player having "no free will" and being "in good hands" was a tip of the hat to the player themselves
Yeah usually they refer to the tree as mother or something similar but in that scene he mentions "he looks kind from down here" or something like that
The stranger awoke beneath the tree. Upon realizing where he was, and what had happened to him, he had a single thought:
"They all must burn."
And so it was.
My argument is that it isn't that jump scares aren't scary or that we're desensitized but that they are so poorly executed that it's not scary. Not to mention it's not that the person is scared but surprised.
Many you can see telegraphed a mile away, many don't earn that jump scare, such as with Fnaf you become accustomed to your failures being met with them (edit: as at first it's scary but the repetition and acknowledging your mistakes that ruins a run removes that fear).
The mortuary assistant for example had great jump scares because it didn't project it a mile away but instead wisely used them from subtle to not so subtle ways.
The makings of a good jumpscare come from building up tension & suspense with a proper atmosphere. Jumpscares are merely the expenditure of that tension. It’s like sitting on a whoopy cushion. It has to be properly blown up before someone sits on it or otherwise it won’t be funny. A whoopy cushion with no air has no payoff or reason to exist. So jumpscares by themselves are certainly startling but as you said they can definitely be clearly (& moronically) telegraphed & it’s easy to become desensitized to them if they aren’t done properly
@@blu7384 I thought I had mentioned atmosphere playing a large part in the success of a good scare, guess I deleted while trying to mention MA. It had the atmosphere, the tension, and the scares worked so well.
I still maintain the belief that we're not desensitized, the scares are not good and we get too many pale imitations of the ones that really aren't scary just lore bait.
FNAF was never scary or anything, the atmosphere was never anything but dirty, no one starts liking it now besides children who are easily impressed, in fact, stuff like FNAF are guilty of lowering the standards of horror gaming to the absurd chicle trash we have today
@@OceleroGamers I'm saying that the jump scares are scary in Fnaf at first and it's more of a surprise than anything else.
I have forgotten which game it was, but best jump scare I ever seen was the one that never happened. The game had several strategically placed jump scares, with proper build up and everything. At one point, it had all the build up, leading the player along an empty corridor with plenty of shadows and nooks for scares to jump out from. With every step the tension rises, until getting to the end and able to leave the corridor without any jump scare.
4:57 I'd argue that the date might instead be the 12 of June 1985 since the game is a Polish development and the medical text earlier is written also in Polish.
You’re right !
It definitely is June!
clicked on this with intentions of listening while i draw, BUT BY GOD your narration was compelling, i couldnt take my attention away from your video 100/10
Thank You!
Pyrocynical coming outta nowhere was hilarious.. A great video for sure! 🔥🔥
Lol time stamp?
@@erwins_arm Right around 46:23
@@AetherSphere 🤝
I couldn’t watch a 8 hour video on Darkwood so I watched this instead
Sooo we not talking about how the sacrificial animals in the prologue have human legs?
we dont talk about it
That’s not what’s happening silly, humans are turning INTO the animals. The game explores lots of transmorgifical horror, as you’ll find out. This is reinforced by some beings you meet later such as a snail
hoppjpjpjpjp@@panthbucketing5187
@@panthbucketing5187Wolfman is a good boy
@@DisatiereI love “his” jacket. He shot a man for it. A bullet hole over the heart. Makes him so badass!
Kinda mad he doesn’t sell me shotgun shells though…
Darkwood 🤝 Resident Evil
|
Strange sentient fungus tree in a rural region causing unspeakable horrors beyond mortal comprehension
Yeah, that was my first thought - this was some sort of proto RE.
Well... RE7, 8, and 9(?)
@@Vecchio_Rhosod85 it is very heavily implied that the one from 8 served as an inspiration for the founder of Umbrella, so
Don't fret, you're in a good hand.
Don't fret, the fungus give you a longlasting, brutal bliss. Join the community where the hivemind share an eternal suffering and blessing together, come in.
46:20 I can't believe they let Pyro design a character in this game.
I don't even need to be at that point in the video to have an idea what you are talking about 😂
You could have said "Pyro!!!" And it would have been just as funny
See, he was right in the beginning. Jumpscares aren't scary, they're hilarious 😂😂😂😂
He's not obese, so he wasn't created by Pyro
The pretty lady's made by pyro
Nice! Not 8 hours long and riddled with midroll ads every two minutes, keep up the fantastic, original, work.
ublock
This a joke right? Right?
please tell me you’re joking
Pyrocynical reference
This is a phenomonal video and you are a fantastic script writer.
Sometimes I toss on videos while I play games and hardly pay attention to them - I found my attention drifting to your video and far less to my game. I found you originally through your more recent video and I'm craving more of your stuff.
I've seen some other comments on your videos whining about your "monotone" voice but I think you actually nail talking your audience through a video. Your tone treats your content with the respect it deserves IMO. There's no overexaggeration, no totally flat read, and the voice that you give the world and characters has me hooked. I'm an English major which is a total aside, but I've listened to video essay upon video essay and have found very very few which are this enjoyable. There are no dramatics for shock factor as you walk me through the world; instead, you've made me feel something for characters in a game I've indeed never played and for a world I've never known. You've presented me with ideas and concepts in a way that feels like a storyteller taking my hand; I appreciate that.
Keep it up man. Looking forward to more. Absolutely subbed and I could listen to you talk all day about games and other things.
Thank you! Really appreciate it :)
"Nervous grunting can be heard from underneath the tractor"
huh
@@crazychicken8290 30:21
@@crazychicken8290I think he's implying the musician playing with his.... mushroom head. Lol.
I don't know whether I'm glad I turned 100% of my attention to enjoy the video or peeved that I got all of my supplies set up and proceeded to let nearly two hours go by without doing any actual work. To be clear, that's a major compliment. My attention is usually divided between videos and whatever piece of jewlery I'm making. Well done.
Haha thank you :) sorry my video was so distracting 😅
I love making jewelry!
You listen to RUclips while making jewelry too? Nice! Gotta be honest I'm writing this between a retipping and a sizing. Time is money.
Sad that people can't Focus on one task anymore.
Only boring people need constant Stimulation.
@@CordeliaWagner1999 That's a shitty take, people with ADHD can also need constant stimulation and background noise, and long video essays can help some of us focus on tasks by essentially occupying the background opened tabs in our brain. You don't need to criticize it unfairly and attack people just because you don't understand.
cant believe pyro would shamelesly steal this video idea 6 months prior
rewatching since pyrocinical lied to me
This needs more views. It's made very well, edited nicely and told creatively. Love it.
Wow, thank you!
My dude, you literally popped up on my recommend page and I thought that, because of the epic quality the video has, your where doing videos for years, to find out this is your first video in the channel left me speechless, you definitely earned a new subscriber and fan, I hope there are more videos coming, totally loved it, got me hooked from the very beginning, keep it up brother!
Making your first video a movie length documentary about one of the best, most underrated games in existence? Amazing.
Saw your video popped on my recomendations recently and i decided to watch it. 20 minutes in i was already hooked by how good your editing and storytelling is. 👏👏👏
GUYS WE FOUND THE DARKWOOD VIDEO
Damn, first video? A good ol 1.66 hour video essay… and I’m totally down for your rise… TO POWER!
I enjoyed the video, but it ain't no essay. Of any kind. It's just a retelling of the story. It's fun and well done, but the only actually original content is basically voice acting and editing of game footage.
@@nomindseyewhy didn’t you do one? There’s always some guy yappin
@@nomindseyewell the voice acting slaps.
Watched For only like 2 minutes and im already flabbergasted by how amazing The quality is. 1 hour 40 minutes too is crazy
Appreciate it :) the video took over month to make so I’m glad that you enjoy it!
Thank you so much for making this video. Between the long runtime, the quality and how calming your voice is, I already know it's going to be one of those specific type of videos I can come back to when I have difficult sensory days.
Can't wait to see your future work !
as someone on the spectrum you’re so real for this
Soon he said... 25th of August he said... Early September he said... 15th of September he said... All lies.. All in Le head...
HE CANT KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH IT HE CANT KEEEPPP GETTING AWAY WITH IT
RASHGHAHAHAHHHHHH11!!!!HRAHHh!!
20th of September he said. Lies. And it would’ve been the perfect birthday gift for me!
@@LexAlmightyhappy belated birthday dude. Sorry it had to go like this
@@pitnorman lol it’s ok. It’s coming out tomorrow
I love how you portrayed the game experience. What I like about this game is that it really feels like a survival game, sometimes you can get lucky but never overpowered, and the fact that they don't teach you must stuff you should know adds to the survival experience.
This game reminds me of other game called Teleglitch, but with less action and more "mood horror".
Basically Silent Hill to Resident Evil counterpart.
I was disappointed to see yoy dont have any other videos. But then i realized i get to be there as the channel grows and changes. I cant wait to see what yhe future holds. Thank you for an amazing video and a new favorite channel! Look forward to seeing more mate.
I've watched a bunch of playthroughs and other videos telling the story of this game but yours nailed the setting the best & really immersed me, good job, you got a sub!
nice video if someone like pyrocynical made it i bet the video wouldve been 8 and half hours long
Cant believe this came out before pyros darkwoods video
It came out before his "darkwood le soon" post
"Is there anything left out there thats scary?" Yes, very much its the things that play on psychilogical horror which never really loses its potency bc it plays on deep psychological fears and traumas
The timing of this video is incredible, a Brazilian RUclipsr posted a video of Darkwood recently, I think it's cool that the game is resurfacing!
What's the name of that video and RUclipsr? I'd love to watch
Ive played Darkwood a few years ago and I think its the best depiction of a Lovecraftian game right up there with Sunless Skies. Not just a game that borrows Lovecraftian elements or set in a Lovecraft universe, but is in itself Lovecraftian. Were talking about unexplainable cosmic horror that claws into your brain.
hey dude. I just watched this all the way through. I wanted to commend you on all the time and effort you put into making this video. the caption is right, I've never heard of this game or series, but this really took an immersive deep dive into the game. Thanks for sharing man and keep it up.
I can't believe Pyro would shamelessly steal yor vídeo
Wow cant believe this is your only video. Pleasantly high quality and through. Cant wait to see more of your work soon!
this is awesome!! thank you for covering darkwood, i cant play most games for one reason or another and watch lore vids instead and this was such a treat! looking forward to seeing more!
Hey man well done! I really enjoyed it- the game’s art direction is super interesting. I wanted to thank you for the top notch quality and smooth presentation.
I like the way you edited the gameplay, I got the feel of progressing but you kept the clips short and to the point and swiftly moved ahead… but also took time to slow down and let the dialogue sections play out at their own pace. Very cool style of editing man! Audio sounded great too- the ambient music seemed perfect and your narration and insight was spot on. Thanks for introducing me to this game- I look forward to seeing what you make in the future
Thank you! All of that was my goal. Lots of good content coming soon !
Pyro not gonna be happy with this
i was waiting for someone to play the game but didn’t find any long videos but this one does a great job. the music, the narration, the music, it’s all great. love the video, keep up the great work
The editing in this is top notch :O Love the inclusion of classical music and memes. I tend to do the same in my mind to avoid gettin gtoo unnerved, because this game looks just so darn interesting! Mostly because of how you narrate it.
If I could gather the courage to play survival horror games, I'd get this one.
Glad you liked the music. I spent a lot of time finding what fit just right.
You started off majestically, editing on par with the greats.
Well done, looking forward for more!
1:37:18 I thought the Stones were just literally the Being manipulating your gaze and guiding you through the forest, or at least some aspect of the Being’s influence on the Protagonist.
My favorite part of Darkwood is when the protagonist says "Maybe the true Darkwood were the friends we made along the way."
And when he said "it's woodin time" chefs kiss.
Epic, epic for the win!! Awesomesauce!!! Le upvoted, fellow Redditor!
I can feel the dark wood coming inside of me
@@user-gj7lp5iz6k 😭
When he said "it's darkwoodin' time" I felt that
And he had shamesly stolen Pyrocynical's video 6 months prior
I'm delighted by this video. Darkwood is one of my favorite games of all time, and I love seeing new interpretations and people dissecting it. This was an incredible analysis, and I'm looking forward to more from you! For a first video, it's very professional and well put together. Thank you for the show of love towards this strange game I love so dearly.
Wtf, you came out of nowhere to put out such an excellent video.
THE PYRO JOKE WHEN UOU SAID BLOATED IM GONNA OISS MYSELF
Found your channel through your SOMA video and decided to sub. good stuff, keep it up! You kept my attention through a whole work shift, so that’s an accomplishment!
Pyros Video is cool and all, but this here is still the best video on Darkwood by a long shot. Not too long, not too short. You've told the story in a great way, even my girlfriend was really interested and she's not into video games at all. She had so many questions afterwards and basically pulled an all nighter reading into the story and stuff 😅
She read "Roadside Picnic" afterwards because it really is similar in vibe. She usually reads fantasy "unicorn, dragon and new adult" stuff, now she's into bleak and depressed shit. Funny how a video about a game can do that.
She wants me to tell you, that your voice and pacing is great and she would listen to audiobooks read buy you, but only depressing shit lmao 😂
Pyrocynical would be punching air when he finds out that he can't use this title
Man, the atmosphere of not only the game but the video is stellar! I’m so glad for RUclipsrs like you who make such wonderful videos on games like this that I’ll never play because I’d be too scared to 😅
AHHH THIS VIDEO WAS SO GOOD TO WATCH! Very engaging, loved the gameplay clips. Both long enough to show key scenes and details and short enough to keep from getting boring. Keep up the good work!
Watching this cus pyro still didnt upload his darkwood video
It’s out
I have come back twice now just for the weapons-grade catharsis at 1:28:43
I cant believe pyrocynical stole your video and stretched it to become 8 hours
Thanks for releasing the Darkwood video budget Pyrocynical!
No... You can't make a video of this quality and only have one video?
I was so happy to be like "Oh cool another person to binge all their videos." Then I go to the channel and THIS WAS IT!?
This isn't gunna fly, I'm gunna need more videos. I'll be patiently watching other videos in the mean time. I got my eyes on you!
Five Nights at Freddy's: The most horrifying game you never played
The soldier at 36:15 is Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who was the first person in space.
So happy that RUclips recommended me this video, you’re so eloquent with your analysis and descriptions and it was such a pleasure watching you 😭😭💯💯💯🫶 obviously subscribed, can’t wait for more content!!!
DEFFY made a very good video about this, too, covering all corners like "What if you do this and what if you don't"
wait this is your first video ever?? amazing truly, can't wait to watch some more, thank you for taking the time as well, hope you become hella successful
More frequent videos please and thank you! I've watched and listened to your entire collection 😊 excited to see what scary game you play next 😘
wow this was your first video thats awesome man you nailed it congratz on gaining the traction this deserves
man. your storytelling, the editing, the character voices, the ambiance...
spectacular work. literally professional audiobook quality. you completely hypnotized me with the experience of this twisted world.
fantastic, absolutely spectacular work.
Wait, HE did the voices? I just thought the game had voice actors! Wow, he did an awesome job, all right.
@@Newfiecat i think the voices are ai?? i have no idea but they sound amazing
Watching both pyros and beams darkwood video is the only right path
What an incredible job you did putting this video together. Just insane quality and effort! Really enjoyed it!
Pyrocinical catching a stray outta nowhere is insane lmao
I've played a lot of Triple A horror title games like amnesia: the dark descent, outlast, alien isolation, penumbra, playable teaser, alan wake, DOOM 3, silent hill 2, Dead Space and cursed forest..but man, Darkwood is the only 2D horror game that i feel serious fear and tension especially during nightime.
Red chompers, huge dogs, and banshees are freakin' nightmares.
The deep lore and mechanics of Darkwood made me fall in love with this game. The gameplay's a bit similar to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. shadow of chernobyl. Very underrated, yet one of the best horror game out there.
Well said
You apparently don't really know what "Triple A" means.
@@pbjandahighfive so whats wrong with you?
@@pbjandahighfive the games I've had mentioned were all triple A titles.
@@charlissedelapena5167 Amnesia is absolutely not a AAA title. Outlast is absolutely not a AAA title. "Playable Teaser" is a proof of concept demo, not a full game and so does not count as an AAA title. Penumbra is not a AAA title. Alan Wake was also not a AAA title. So obviously you do not actually know what AAA means, as already stated.
Amazing video! Needs to blow up, its so well made! I came looking for a long video explaining a game I'll never play but wanna know about to have on while I eat and clean
A really good playthru, there are some things that were missed, but that's the nature of a game like this! There's always other choices you can make. Stuff like the little elephant boy not wanting to go back to his family, letting the villagers in the quarry live, letting the violinist have the key or even just killing the chicken granny, letting the sow live and being an enemy of the wolf, the secret short cut ending, and locations like the wedding that are all still there to explore. It's such a rich game with so many interesting things! And while the smaller decisions don't effect the major endings by much, they do change the story blurbs at the ending when it tells you what became of the residents of the woods.
Popped this video on to listen to while I work , and and hour and fourty minutes later I have not done any work and poured all of my focus into this video. I’m so excited to see where this channel goes. Fantastic video. I could listen to hours of your commentary on games!
Excellent video essay on a game I've never heard of nor will I play. Finishing your video and reading the breakdown on Steam made me realize that this game has the similar plot and cosmic horror of Annihilation (book and movie) which may or may not have inspired this game. It's a shame you don't have more videos. This was really good!
>"Analysis" video of media I enjoy
>Look inside
>Plot summary
literally nowhere is this video referred to as qn analysis lol
@@peenyyt4921 doesn't matter if it's called that or not. It's clearly pretending like it has something to say, while it really just doesn't.
@@whoawhoa4062 ???? its literally called darkwood: the most disturbing game you never played. did you expect something other than the game???? did you think it's for people who've already played the game ???? that's entirely on you .
This is incredibly well done for your first videos, I am very excited to see what else you release. Keep it up!
One of the best video ive seen in a long time you are great a great script , edit quality etc. You are great hope you will become big
Thank you!! I really appreciate the support :)
Darkwood is my favorite game of all time, I even have a big tattoo of the protagonist on my arm but there was stuff in this video I've never even seen before. Awesome video man, earned a subscriber for sure can't wait to see what you put out next!
Oh wow!
I just wanted to let you know that I come back to watch this almost weekly. The way you tell this game’s story is perfect background noise for when I can listen in for a minute or three at a time and then focus back on what I’m doing, and also putting me to bed despite the subject matter when it’s late lmao. thanks for helping an insomniac out bro.
You made me put BOTH earphones on for this one. Got me hooked and immersed almost immediately. So confident this video is gonna slap I'm writing this before I'm even half way through the vid.
My god this is such a great first vid for your RUclips channel man I thought you have made other videos because of how professional and great this is
Wow, found out about a great looking game and a new channel on the same day.
The part with the chicken lady is a pretty cool take on little red riding hood, the lumberjack helps the wolf kill the grandma and eat little red. Pretty cool.
You're going to grow fast. Keep up the good work!
This is phenomenal, not many videos make me truly want to play a game, but this one makes me want to. Thank you, one question is are the voices in game actually voices or did you add them in? Great video regardless!
Thank you! I added the voices in, just for storytelling purposes.
@@BeamBuddyythey sound great! It was a pleasure to listen to especially since I wanna do voice acting. Wonderful job!
Each time a video from you comes up, I end up watching everything you've done over again a few times, trying to expand my understanding, just a little more. I keep thinking about games you might do, and then you do something I'd never expected instead. Thank you.
Dude I am BEGGING YOU!!! I absolutely NEED more long-form videos like this, the script is so well-written, your voice is pleasant to listen to, you have very insightful comments about the games and an honestly really good storytelling style with the "we take our first steps" and "we find this" I feel genuinely included despite never having played Darkwood or SOMA, genuinely incredible work! But of course, please take your time with them, this kind of quality can only be done with a huge team or a substantial time investment and I praise you for your work.