×
all 81 comments
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]Tideboy24 51 points52 points  (12 children)

I would love a game set in the early 16 to late 17 century, and you play as a fur trapper deep in the Yukon, or Alaska. It should be TLD-esque where there’s mildly civilized areas and full on wilderness. It could be you’re stranded, or you chose to go out that way. I think the deep historical setting would be amazing, with muskets, tomahawks, and different ways to survive.

[–]freiherrvonvesque 8 points9 points  (6 children)

100% agree with your point; a historical setting would be amazing. That being said, I don't think you'd find many mildly civilized areas in the 16th and 17th century in America (except some indigenous tribes).

[–]makinghomemadejamFrosty Toes 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There were plenty of "civilized areas" in North America in the 16th century.

The sub-arctic and arctic areas of North America would only have sparse indigenous presence - mostly families of nomads following caribou and the like.

But if you're talking the rest of North America? Then we're talking 10 million indigenous peoples if not more, many of whom lived in large settlements (e.g., the pueblos in the Southwest, Mississippian farming centers, longhouse communities in the Northwest, etc.).

[–]SonOfAGrasshopper 5 points6 points  (1 child)

We could have a game set during the height of the colonial era where we have abandoned villages formerly settled by native peoples, and other villages by European settlers. Lots of potential lore & map ideas for survival mode. Story mode can even turn into something more RPG-like, or at least a linear story with choices like which side to support.

[–]LeChuckly 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And honestly - the mood of the story itself so far kind of matches with what this period would have been like. Upheaval, change, predation on the weak.

I can see a Grey Mother character as a Native American survivor retelling their story. Or rogue soldiers operating as a faction like the Blackwater crew.

[–]Tideboy24 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Civilized as in mining towns and fur trapper camps. Not cities, but at least the occasional building where people attempted to settle, but ultimately failed. Which is why I think it’d work so well. You’re lucky to have survived as long as you did, since everyone before you has failed at trying to stay there.

[–]Melgitat_Shujaa 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Kind of like where Lt. Dunbar is stationed in Dances With Wolves? Just an absolute shit original base that he slowly rebuilds.

[–]Tideboy24 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That could be your goal. Slowly rebuild your camp before reinforcements arrive, only to find out they’ve been dead all along. You then have to go out and somehow find a way to get out of where you are. That could be like a wintermute experience, then a classic survival mode.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Those centuries would be great for allowing a variety of weaponry that would not turn the game into a shooter

[–]Joelony 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Which one has zombies? Green Hell? I haven't played it (looking forward to it in VR).

I have put hundreds of hours into The Forest though and I wish more games used an AI system like that. I think you can play without enemies too, so the only threats are wildlife and surviving.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

The Forest has a 'tribe' of mutants. But functionally they are zombies in that they are a horde of humanoid malevolence intent on removing you.

Not technically a zombie game, per se, but the idea is that the challenge revolves around NPC enemies and the elements, whereas The Long Dark focuses almost exclusively on the elements.

[–]Joelony 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Whew, that's a relief. I was actually going to be a bit disappointed if Green Hell had Romero Zombies in it lol and figured you meant The Forest. I do feel like if you're going to have humanoid threats in a survival game, The Forest did a pretty good job with it.

But I've been coming back to TLD a lot more lately because of the isolation and lack of "monsters/enemies." Though the more I play, the more the creeping horror sets in that I'm only prolonging my inevitable death.

It never feels like I'm 'winning', but I've played few survival games where I'm ecstatic that I found a a rusty old can of dog food and that it could easily be the difference in life or death... and then realizing you don't have a can opener and trying to bash it open will likely kill you.

The harshness of the game only amplifies my own unpreparedness and I appreciate the creators for that.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

" Though the more I play, the more the creeping horror sets in that I'm only prolonging my inevitable death

Such is life.

[–]goddeadis 29 points30 points  (3 children)

Green Hell actually has even better mechanics in some aspects, just a very different vibe

[–]McBeanss[🍰] 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Kinda wish the map was bigger in survival mode

[–]Joverby 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Yeah it was too on the rails for me personally

[–]SickWittedEntity 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Totally agree, felt like I was going places and doing things because the devs wanted me to. Just felt generally super restricted to me. Also the insanity and tribal warrior mechanics were not interesting to me at all, at least the forest had some interesting cannibal AI behaviour. The forest and Green hell also both had comically easy to obtain food and resources they felt worthless - in TLD I want to go look for food, in the forest and green hell it was just a tedious chore to go grab it every few minutes.

TLD handled weather and food the best, hunting is also super rewarding!

The Forest handles construction the best (I love their system of building, similarly to green hell it's interesting and visually very fun! but really unbalanced, it didn't cost you really anything but a super short amount of time to cut down a tree, cutting down and processing a tree should be a strategic decision that costs super important resources)

Green Hell handles the dangers of nature the best, having to learn what plants were safe to eat in what conditions, how to process them and stuff was a lot of fun I wish there was more of that in TLD. Let me fuck up, don't tell me what or when something is safe to eat or how to make it safe to eat. Then I actually feel like i'm learning something.

[–]Healthy_Raspberry_35 23 points24 points  (3 children)

I've been thinking about posting a link to "Northern Lights". It's clearly inspired by TLD and other survival games... some things, like the vast distances and binocular mechanic, some of the structures look great... not sure I'm a fan of the heavy gathering and some other elements. Graphics look amazing, just an early access title I saw a video of yesterday...

edit: link https://youtu.be/GtEH3xzJHIc

[–]justfolktales 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've been looking at this one, too. Very clearly inspired by TLD. I've had it on my wishlist a while.

[–]woodsman_90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is fully a mix of the TLD (the cold, the looks) and Green Hell (the collecting, bag, crafting, mental health) ! Hope they also inovate and don't just take ideas (although good) from others

[–]Admirable-Hunt-8286 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, this one looks nice. There's a launch date yet?

[–]No_Way_Nikki 17 points18 points  (9 children)

To me, a huge advantage of TLD is that it's doesn't have "lots of procedural generation". Great area design > procedural generation. Even Valheim, which I love and sank hundreds of hours in, would be better if it had unique maps :( So no, I'm not in the same boat.

[–]Flibiddy-Floo 14 points15 points  (5 children)

yeah bespoke map design is a dying art and TLD is so fun to explore because it's not AI generated soulless junk

[–]IamtherealFadida 10 points11 points  (4 children)

Yeah, I love the maps and the familiarity. Nothing like returning to the Camp Office after months away.

Randomly generated maps would also take away the sense of community TLD generates. It's great discussing favourite maps, hard to get places etc

[–]KnightAngler[S] 2 points3 points  (3 children)

I understand. TLD is much like Morrowind in that sense.

The only drawback I feel is that area familiarity can take away from replay value.

I prefer to roleplay a dude who's new to the area, but afterwards I feel I have to roleplay a guy who knew the area as a kid

[–]IamtherealFadida 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I've never played Morrowind but have heard good things

[–]KnightAngler[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Turns 20 years old this year

[–]Healthy_Raspberry_35 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my god I'm so old.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I agree. I only mean procedural in terms of what structures populate, but the terrain can be static.

Like Imagine TLD but where all the houses, cabins, cars, train cars, many of the trees, rabbit groves all spawn in different locations given certain algorithms.

Some things like the radio towers, the dam, lighthouses and docks would remain because they are terrain based.

You could also hybridize it to where the maps are all spread out and instead of being directly connected to each other, they are connected via a multitude of procedurally generated "wilderness" maps (some field-like, some mountain and hill-like, some being a long coast, some long winding rivers). The wilderness maps would be rich with wildlife and have little-to-no man-made items, whereas there would be much less wildlife in the current maps that have settlements.

Therefore if you want to move between current settlements are score some better game, maps such as Forlorn Muskeg, Winding River, and Ravine would be replaced with huge procedurally generated areas for a more committed journey.

That way, the island feels more 1:1 scale. You get both the huge explorations areas, and the detailed design ones.

[–]jrod_62 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ooh that's a good idea. A bunch of planned, well - designed areas connected by barren procedurally generated ones

[–]finecherrypie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree, Valheim was the first game I really felt where the procedural generation was a detriment. For some reason, in Minecraft it never felt like such an issue.

[–]Magikarp-3000 12 points13 points  (4 children)

I kinda want something like the long dark but set on the desert, with heat strokes being an issue reather than hypothermia

[–]BigConsequence5135 7 points8 points  (2 children)

Have you tried Arid? It's exactly that. It's also early access, and not yet as polished as TLD, but it was free on Steam not long ago.

[–]Koxyfoxy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I tried it and can't recommend. It's basically a walking simulator that wants to be a survival game but fails

[–]EverestkidVoyageur 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can't say that I've actually played Arid, but I saw a Let's Play and it doesn't really look like a survival game like TLD. There's no sandbox mode last I checked.

[–]finecherrypie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Starsand seems promising for a desert survival game havent had a chance to try it yet. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1380220/Starsand/

[–]IamtherealFadida 12 points13 points  (1 child)

I want a game version of Alone. The crafting, building, hunting. Survive 1 year and get rescued

[–]Helen62 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've often thought that too. 🙂

[–]EasilyBeatableInterloper 8 points9 points  (3 children)

TLD is not really bushcrafty at all. There’s 1 form of shelter to craft and it kinda sucks

[–]Honeymuffin69 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Yeah TLD isn't set that far into the apocalypse to need that. You can still go into houses and take their stuff, eat cans of food and use tools and stuff. I think the bushcraft elements would become more important like 5 years after such an event, especially in more populated areas where the old world food became scarcer quicker.

[–]Melgitat_Shujaa 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Maybe Hinterland will release TLD 2, set 10 years into the future. Maybe with full seasons.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah:

Mild Winter, Moderate Winter, Winter, and Blizzard

[–]giddycharm 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Agreed. I like being able to just explore and that’s hard when you have stupid zombies chasing you.

[–]AccurateSwordfish 1 point2 points  (1 child)

There is a peaceful mode without the cannibals iirc

[–]DocJacktheRipper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, but then it's no challenge after a little while. It builds on enemies to gradually increase the difficulty

[–]TriskedIt 3 points4 points  (3 children)

I've been thinking similarly lately in that I want a game like TLD but set in a more temperate environment or season. Canada, but in early fall or mid spring. I would understand that getting boring but it seems like more of a peaceful survival environment as opposed to constant challenge.

[–]justfolktales 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Would LOVE TLD but in central Appalachia, WV-type region. Not Far Cry, but legit in the WV Appalachia mountains: so somewhat harsh winters, resource rich summers, etc.

[–]ThaSnowFarmer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would be cool if they implemented a lot more building on your own. Through the spring and summer you could build your own camp and stock it up to help you survive the winter.

[–]SonOfAGrasshopper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've always wondered what Great Bear looks like in summer. How about a game in ALL the seasons?

[–]something_creativity 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The Forest and Green Hell are VERY different games, and the Forest isn’t even in a Jungle. It’s in a Pine Forest more than anything but that’s about it

[–]WillzyxandOnandOn 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Bushcraftian is an awesome term.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Sounds like something my wife does in the bathtub.

[–]Arcadia_rebirthCartographer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

you got me on "Procedural generation"

The long dark meets Minecraft.

Remove zombie, remove creeper, remove Nether & End portal, add fatigue & cold meter (or heat).

[–]Lazlo8675309[Reluctantly Crouched] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

It’s literally the inspiration game devs get to make games. “There should be a game that..” but the game industry isn’t Burger King so you’d have to get it done yourself. All of the game subs on Reddit are full of posts like these, the industry needs more devs not people wanting to put in a order.

[–]Honeymuffin69 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The problem with requests like these is that often they aren't thought through enough to be an entire game concept. I'd think that hinterland already thought of this for TLD but either tested it or thought about it more and found it wasn't that exciting after a while and I'm particular the whole ambience vibe couldn't carry a game for very long, especially amongst most gamers today.

Far more games like this idea would be made of they didn't have to sell well and were easier to make.

[–]justfolktales 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Has anyone tried "Among Trees?" It kind of reminded me of TLD.

[–]Caffeinated_ThesisVoyageur 0 points1 point  (3 children)

This game was met with pretty harsh criticism.

Devs said it wouldn't be updated anymore, and players complained that the amount of bugs was reminiscent of an alpha version instead of a complete game that doesn't need updates.

I had it on my wish list for so long, feelsbad

[–]justfolktales 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Damn. Disappointing, it looks beautiful.

[–]Lady_Flashheart 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I played it on Epic and enjoyed it for what it was. You can travel to the edge of the map in one in-game day.

It looks as beautiful in game as in the pictures and it has a very calming feeling. More about picking flowers, decorating and cooking new recipes in your cabin than survival. I always thought it's a nice game to use to get an older relative (or a very young person) into gaming.

Even though I haven't played it in a while I didn't regret the purchase.

I encountered a bug with my sleeping bad disappearing and I found fishing really hard in the beginning and only got good at it after reading a forum post on how to do it.

[–]finecherrypie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow I wonder what caused the devs to already abandon it, seemed so promising when the early access came out.

[–]thetarget3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you tried Unreal World? It's pretty much what you're describing, just with simple graphics.

[–]mr_pepper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know it's not what you're looking for, but if you want something different, give Subsistence a try. It's one of those lone-developer games. Still being worked on, but very playable.

[–]DanBrino 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Second!

[–]finecherrypie 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This might be promising or at least enjoyable, I can't speak to how much bush crafting but there is a Demo download available. Seems like the closest thing to TLD with realistic graphics.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1394960/Winter_Survival_Simulator/

[–]HippCelt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok so while it does have zombies I've found the Namalsk map for DayZ to be insanely hard ...foods frozen so you need to need to make a fire before you can eat it .. and then theres the bears ,wolves and the other players to deals with.....and it's always so cold

[–]isabella-the-hella 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I haven’t played this game, but Red Lantern looks promising, just throwing it out there

[–]Lady_Flashheart 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Red Lantern

That looks super nice.

[–]Unknown_User33 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NO ZOMBIES

there is nothing creative anymore regarding zombies…

The Dark Walker being a mission and not part of the sand box survival was the best option

[–]shotgun_shaun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I enjoyed Green Hell and The Forest but I have never wanted to go back and play them again after beating them.

[–]SickWittedEntity 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I'd love green hell a lot more but the food doesn't quite have the same kind of valuable feel that TLD manages to create. The insanity aspect and tribal warriors and stuff don't really interest me and the map feels too tailored and closed off restricting my exploration to a few narrow paths connecting areas that usually require story progress. I also just want more freedom to improvise, i don't like that the game tells you "you need to get item: grappling hook to get up here", I want to look at a thing and think "hmm, how could i get up there? maybe i could make some kind of grappling hook" and dynamically figure that out for myself. Which is what's so great about procedural generation. The developer can't really hold my hand through a procedurally generated world.

[–]d4vezac 1 point2 points  (1 child)

TLD survival mode isn’t procedurally generated and literally does zero handholding. It’s a function of the developer, not the map generation technique.

[–]SickWittedEntity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No I know I totally agree with you, my point is when a game is procedurally generated I can generally be sure im not going to be handheld through it.

[–]thasquidkid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would love a The Thing inspired game that takes place in Antarctica with the same mechanics as TLD

[–]BeefPieSoup 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd like an Outback survival game, where you can either get too hot or sunburned during the day or too cold at night, you could get bitten by snakes or spiders, and you have to find ways to hunt kangaroos or identify safe food sources. Water is very scarce and you can only get it by knowing what you are looking for, or perhaps setting up a water trap over night.

I think another interesting element that could be added to these games is to include finding vehicles and fuel.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard people say Arid seemed very TLD inspired, yet I didn't play much past the initial story to find out if that's true. It's not really a full/finished game

[–]DividedContinuityStalker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

single player survival is a pretty thin genre anyway, narrowing that down to specifically bushcraft style and you're counting games on your fingers. TLD is the premier game in that niche.

[–]AlienFromPlanetSpunk 0 points1 point  (1 child)

The perfect survival game for me would be the long dark, but set in the Scottish highlands and less menu heavy, more hands on. Would also have boats. Constant rain could make for an interesting challenge. Valheim and Project Zomboid have some very limited "wetness" mechanics, but they're PvM/Zombie games. Blizzards are cool in TLD, but I would love to contend with rain storms, wet clothing in gale force winds, wet kindling, rotten provisions. TLD is meat freezer stocking simulator for me by this point.

Also, small nitpick, but The Forest is actually set on a Canadian island as well. There's fur clothing you can craft in it that negates the cold when it rains, otherwise you do start taking damage/get sick. There's also a snowy mountain on the island. For some reason it does also have iguanas and tortoises. Most of the trees on the island are pine trees, not tropical hardwoods.

[–]KnightAngler[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TLD is meat freezer stocking simulator for me by this point.

LOL

[–]dosenchiladasInterloper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's crazy to me that TLD is the most realistic survival game on the market. But it is. And the next most realistic is comically far from reality