NIGHT IN THE WOODS WIKI
Generally favorable reviews from critics! This game is very darn good!
Night in the Woods
Developer(s): Infinite Fall, Secret Lab
Composer(s): Alec Holowka, Scott Benson
Engine: Unity
Platform(s): Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Genre(s): Adventure
Mode(s): Single-player
Night in the Woods is an adventure video game developed by Infinite Fall in 2017. Its funding was raised through Kickstarter, where it surpassed its initial funding goal of $50,000 by over 400%.
Gameplay
Night in the Woods is centered around a young woman named Mae Borowski, who has left college and returned to her hometown. As the player, you will explore the story and discover unexpected changes in the town.
The player’s main actions in the game are to explore, converse, see, and touch. The approach is more focused on the narrative rather than gameplay. The decisions made by players have an impact on the story. It mostly involves choosing which characters to spend time with. By the end of the game, certain characters may know the player better than others, but the overall storyline remains intact.
Story
Night In the Woods follows the story of a 20-year-old cat named Mae Borowski who decides to leave college and return to her hometown of Possum Springs. The game mainly focuses on exploring Mae’s relationships with the people in the town, including her neighbors, parents, and old friends. Although there are some musical sequences inspired by rhythm games, the game is primarily centered around detailed conversations and interactions between characters.
The game delves into complex and heavy themes such as existential dread, mental illness, despair, cosmic horror, and helplessness. The game’s seemingly simple storyline weaves multiple threads throughout, including a deep religious backstory for the citizens of Possum Springs. The player is rewarded for multiple playthroughs, gradually revealing more about the lost souls that inhabit the town, Mae’s relationships with them, and their relationships with each other.
How long is Night in the Woods?
When it comes to the primary goals, Night in the Woods typically takes around 9 hours to complete. However, if you’re the type of gamer who wants to explore every aspect of the game, it may take you approximately 24 and a half hours to achieve 100% completion.
Reception
Night in the Woods received very favourable reviews by critics. It was praised for its writing, characters and its replayability thanks to its multiple endings/storylines.