The Long Dark: Most Dangerous Regions, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Desolation Point has a high predator density, making survival challenging.
• Blackrock’s adverse weather and timberwolves pose significant risks for unprepared players.
• Forlorn Muskeg’s exposed terrain and weak ice require players to prepare for sudden weather changes.

Released in 2017, The Long Dark is a single-player survival exploration game with a strong focus on realism. Following a plane crash, players find themselves stranded in the Canadian wilderness with no hope of escape. Humanity has seemingly disappeared overnight, leaving only their homes, tools, and food behind. Trapped on this island, players are locked in a fight for survival against Mother Nature, where any mistake could spell their doom. Death is the way this story ends.

The Long Dark’s map is split into a dozen interconnected regions, all with unique environments and locations. These regions vary in difficulty from beginner-friendly to deadly, depending on factors such as predator count, temperature, and the number of indoor locations.

This article includes content from the
Tales From The Far Territory
expansion.

8 Desolation Point

High Predator Density

Desolation Point is a small coastal highway region containing remnants of whaling industry activity. The biggest difficulty players will face in this region is predators. The region’s small size, paired with large amounts of wolves and bears, means a high density of predators throughout. The map is also very linear, making avoiding these predators harder as they frequently patrol key areas. Deer and cat tails are sparse, forcing players to rely on collected food or predator meat.

Fortunately for players, Desolation Point has several buildings to loot and seek shelter in. The region’s size also means these buildings are spaced closely together, so extended travel can be avoided.

7 Blackrock

Timberwolves & Adverse Weather

Blackrock is a relatively built-up region that centers on Blackrock Prison. It is one of the few regions that have timberwolves, and players should come to this region with plenty of marine flares if they want to live. Unlike Desolation Point, Blackrock experiences frequent blizzards, which can prove deadly to those caught unprepared. Blackrock Prison is also crawling with predators, though it allows players to loot many resources for crafting.

While a challenging region, the abundance of buildings, structures, and cars for players to loot and take shelter in — whether from the weather or timberwolves — minimizes some of the more significant risks. And, while blizzards may be more frequent in this region, it is not as cold as most.

6 Forlorn Muskeg

High Risk Of Exposure

Forlorn Muskeg is a large frozen marshland split down the middle by an abandoned railway. With few buildings and a high frequency of blizzards and fog, this region leaves players at significant risk of exposure. Even those who have prepared for this region can easily be caught off guard by a sudden change in weather. Exploring this region also requires players to leave the safety of the railway and traverse the weak ice-filled marshland. This weak ice makes navigation slow and can quickly kill players if they fall in.

Despite its tendency toward adverse weather, Forlorn Muskeg’s base temperature is pleasantly average. As long as the weather is clear, its predators and any weak ice can be easily avoided.

5 Ash Canyon

Few Buildings & Fatigue Risk

Ash Canyon is a vast wilderness formed of deep valleys and plateaus. Its main risk comes from its lack of buildings, which makes finding shelter, loot, and suitable locations for fires and rest difficult. This region also has numerous rope climbs, posing a risk of fatigue and death for unprepared players or those caught in poor weather. Doubly so, given Ash Canyon is cold and prone to poor weather conditions.

Ash Canyon is, however, one of the few regions in which predators can almost entirely be avoided. Players who stick to higher elevations can find plenty of locations to set up safe outdoor bases. This region is also filled with caves where players can shelter from the elements.

4 Pleasant Valley

Vast Wilds & Awful Weather

Pleasant Valley is a large open swathe of agricultural land surrounded by mountains. A vast region with large expanses of wilderness and few buildings that can be entered, players can go a long time without seeing a single indication of civilization. Pair this with the region’s freezing weather, frequent blizzards, and high winds, and even the most experienced of players can quickly succumb to exposure. Pleasant Valley’s weather can change in an instant, making it very easy to get caught out without shelter.

For those bold enough to explore this region, several large buildings yield a lot of loot and make suitable bases.

3 Timberwolf Mountain

Adverse Weather, Little Shelter, Lots Of Predators

Timberwolf Mountain is a large mountainous region that centers around its namesake. With low temperatures, frequent blizzards, and only a few buildings with interiors, players should prepare thoroughly before entering this region. Only the warmest of clothing will allow players to survive the frigid cold. The most experienced and well-equipped players can quickly perish to the elements, as finding safe locations to rest, cook, or warm up is incredibly challenging.

It’s recommended, too, that players come to the region with guns and flares aplenty, as the mountain is teeming with difficult-to-avoid wolves and bears.

2 Hushed River Valley

Total Wilderness & Abundant Predators

Hushed River Valley is a sprawling wilderness of deep valleys cut through by many waterways. A cold region with a few hard-to-find shelters, these valleys are highly challenging even for the most experienced players. The lack of warm shelter makes succumbing to character needs very easy, as players will struggle to find safe locations to sleep, cook, and warm up. Most players will be forced to build bases outside or within caves. Large amounts of predators only exacerbate this threat.

Ice caves can be used to avoid the worst of the weather and predators, but it is easy to get lost without the light of a lantern.

1 Bleak Inlet

Predator Filled Wilds

Bleak Inlet is a large semi-frozen inlet marked by the remnants of industrial activity. Despite its industrial past, this region has few interiors where players can shelter. The biggest of these shelters, The Cannery, is also locked behind an electric door that can only be opened during an aurora. Since a timberwolf pack patrols The Cannery, accessing this building is incredibly dangerous.

This region also has a lot of dangerous wildlife, particularly bears, moose, and timberwolf packs. Death lurks around every corner, even for players armed to the teeth with weapons, flares, and food, making it the most dangerous region in the game.