Hooded Horse is excited to announce that it’s publishing the sequel to critically acclaimed survival horror game Darkwood. Announced during ID@XBOX Fall 2025 showcase, Darkwood 2 is being developed by the masterminds behind the Pathologic series, Ice-Pick Lodge, in consultation with the original Darkwood developers Acid Wizard.
Set years later after the events of the first game, Darkwood 2 throws players into more peril amidst the scorched deserts of a dying sea. Roam freely around a rich, dangerous world by day, securing what resources you can before seeking shelter at night. The sequel brings with it new lands and waters to explore, new creatures to fear, and new reasons to pray for the morning light. The story, characters, and unfolding events of Darkwood 2 stand on their own, and can be enjoyed without having experienced the first game.
Traverse dangerous, meandering paths across barren deserts, through thick marsh, and on deep waters alike. As the locals fight to keep the slowly spreading woods at bay, players must rely on their wits to overcome their fears and find the way – without the aid of quest markers or waypoints. Scavenge for resources, craft weapons for protection, and seek out shelter by night, building barricades and traps to hide behind.
As the world loses its humanity, and as the so-called corruption of the forest spreads, one can’t help but wonder – is it really better to remain human? Or would it be best to give in?
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“The original Darkwood is a unique experience in horror — mixing resource management and strategic survival into a rarely used top-down horror format,” says Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender. “We’re honored to be part of the sequel, and to be working with such a great team.”
“Crafting the world of Darkwood was a very challenging and long journey for the team,” says Acid Wizard co-founder Gustaw Stachaszewski. “After an experience like that, you become emotionally attached to your work. We know that the fans have been eagerly awaiting a continuation of Darkwood. For years, the idea of handing over our baby to another studio was something unthinkable for us. But, after it became evident that working together is not viable anymore, we decided that Darkwood should live on, even if not directly through our work.”
“We’re genuinely excited to pass on the torch to Ice-Pick Lodge – creators whose work on Pathologic has inspired us for years. The team at IPL really gets what makes Darkwood a unique experience. We believe they will not only honor its spirit but will create something truly exceptional. As for us, we’ll be in the background, making sure it stays true to the original vision.”
“I believe the most interesting things are created when people with very different backgrounds work together on creative projects,” says Alexander Souslov, Executive Producer on Darkwood 2. “Ice-Pick is known for its focus on narrative and on the design of semiotic systems. Hooded Horse, on the other hand, is renowned for its expertise in strategy. What kind of game could come from that? It has to be something so compelling that I’d want to play it myself. I’ve been genuinely impressed by their clear understanding of what developers face, their focus on success and mutual growth, and their dedication to long-term support for their games.”
“Our collaboration is just beginning, but with people like this working together, I’m confident something truly special will come out of it,” says Ice-Pick co-founder Ayrat Zakirov.
Darkwood 2 will be localized from English into German, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Darkwood 2 is coming to PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as Game Pass.
