Released in 2014, the survival game The Long Dark has inspired a loyal following with its gritty, realistic depiction of downed bush pilot Will Mackenzie, who is forced to fight for his life after his plane crash lands in the frigid Canadian wilderness.
The game's survival mode has recently seen a new expansion called Tales From The Far Territory come to light. This expansion will be released in parts, with "Part One: Forsaken Airfield" already being available. Tales From The Far Territory adds and will continue to add new content and items to the base game, breathing new life into the franchise and giving the title even greater replay value than before. Among the new features, these are the expansion's current strongest additions to the game, along with other additions that should be introduced in the coming months.
Added In Part One: Forsaken Airfield
The Forsaken Airfield Region
One of the new Regions introduced by Tales From The Far Territory, the Forsaken Airfield is an atmospheric, gloomy area best suited to advanced players of The Long Dark. The Forsaken Airfield is, as the name suggests, an abandoned airfield, and connects to Transfer Pass. It consists largely of a massive frozen lake, mountains, and rocky outcrops.
Subject to intense, varying weather conditions, the Forsaken Airfield is often the site of ferocious winds and Glimmer Fog, which make navigating difficult. The weather also impacts other gameplay mechanics in curious ways. In good weather, though, the Forsaken Airfield is fairly easy to navigate and survive in, making it a fascinating challenge for players to conquer.
Insomnia Affliction
While it might not sound like much fun on paper, Tales From The Far Territory's new Insomnia Affliction adds an interesting dynamic to the way players interact with the new Glimmer Fog weather phenomenon, as well as the sleep/wake cycle more broadly.
Developed as a result of spending too much time in Glimmer Fog, Insomnia causes disruptions to any attempt the player makes to rest while suffering from it. This makes it very difficult to get Mackenzie to rest fully, which, in turn, creates a whole host of other challenges for the player to overcome.
Glimmer Fog
Fog plays a major role in the weather on Great Bear Island, and the Tales From The Far Territory expansion introduces a new kind of fog entirely: Glimmer Fog.
Found only under certain circumstances, Glimmer Fog is a type of heavy fog that is also charged with electrostatic particles. In a way that is similar to the Aurora that can also be encountered in the game, Glimmer Fog activates and interacts with electronic items found in the game in mysterious and fascinating ways, including reactivating formerly dormant electronic machinery while present.
Will Be Added In The Future
The Mountain Pass Region
Another new, challenging Region that Tales From The Far Territory will introduce to The Long Dark's game world is the Mountain Pass area. The Mountain Pass is home to exceptionally rocky terrain and is also the site of an installation that is well worth exploring. It contains plenty of exposition regarding the history of Great Bear Island, where the game is set.
With roads and paths ringed by rocky cliffs and thick forest, the Mountain Pass Region is claustrophobic and tense. While this should make for a great gameplay experience overall, this area will not be for the faint of heart.
The Ptarmigan
One of two new animals set to be introduced with Tales From The Far Territory, the ptarmigan is a type of winter bird that tends to be found in flocks. In The Long Dark, it might have various in-game hunting and crafting applications.
In the future, players might be able to hunt the ptarmigan fairly easily for food. Hunting and foraging are a massive part of survival in The Long Dark, and the ptarmigan provides a handy source of sustenance to help Mackenzie to last the winter. Additionally, the ptarmigan's feathers might be used for crafting arrows to use with the bow.
The Cougar
Looking set to add a significant challenge for even veteran players of The Long Dark is the cougar, an animal which, prior to the Tales From The Far Territory expansion, could not be encountered in the game.
Found among the ravines and crevasses of Great Bear Island, the cougar is a deadly predator that should make the game's survival mode far more challenging, as well as adding some serious tension into the mix. Surviving a cougar attack will probable be no mean feat, and the animal's presence in the game's snowy wilderness makes the whole experience feel more immersive and realistic.
The Travois
While perhaps not the coolest or most exciting new item announced for Tales From The Far Territory, it could be hard to beat the travois in terms of sheer utility and practicality. This new item is basically a wheelless frame that players can use to store and transport their items,
The travois was originally developed by the indigenous peoples of North America as a practical way to carry large quantities of food or gear from place to place without needing wheels. Regarded by many survivalists as a ubiquitous piece of storage equipment, the travois' inclusion in Tales From The Far Territory seems like a no-brainer.
Handheld Shortwave
Another new, incredibly useful item set to be introduced in the Tales From The Far Territory expansion is the handheld shortwave. The handheld shortwave pairs beautifully with the Glimmer Fog phenomenon included in the expansion, but can also be used in the presence of an Aurora to a similar effect.
In short, the handheld shortwave can be used to find hidden gear and locations, but only when Glimmer Fog or the Aurora is present. This new mechanic will be a great way to help players feel even more immersed in and connected to The Long Dark's wilderness environment.
Enhanced Cooking
Cooking is one of the most fundamental survival skills that players can use and refine in The Long Dark. The game operates using a fairly realistic hunger mechanic, with Mackenzie needing to eat a certain amount of food in order to maintain his nutrition need and ultimately stave off starvation.
Players can cook food in The Long Dark to make it more nutritious and reduce the risk of Mackenzie contracting food poisoning from eating it. In Tales From The Far Territory, the cooking skill will be fleshed out even further and more recipes will be made available to players.
Industrial Mine
A menacing location with plenty of environmental hazards to navigate, the Industrial Mine Region is home to toxic waste runoff and various deserted mining outposts and apparatus.
Introducing new kinds of landscapes and backdrops helps the gameplay of The Long Dark feel fresh and exciting, which is exactly what the Industrial Mine in Tales From The Far Territory will do. With its toxic pools and run-off that need to be avoided at all costs, the Industrial Mine Region is a high-stakes area where players need to have their wits about them if they want to get out alive.
The Long Dark is available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.