Horror games can come in a bunch of different shapes and forms, all with different playstyles. The one thing that players agree on is the more immersive the game is, the better it is to play because the scares mean more and have more weight to them. Many modern horror games drop players into a world, with little to no information, and let their imagination run wild. Darkwood does this really well. In fact, as soon as players load up this game, it tells them patience is key, and it won't hold their hand as much. This, in turn, has made Darkwood a cult classic. While on the surface it may make players not want to play, what they get is a full-fledged horror game that challenges them.
During the first few segments, players can feel overwhelmed or underpowered, something classic PS2 horror games got right. But, the one thing that helps players progress both during the day and the night is the light sources. All the light sources do that same thing, however, their performance is different. Some will make Deadwood easier to play, and in turn, cut down the play time like some excellent short horror games do because players have mastered the mechanics. And others may make the game harder for players. If players take this list of the best light sources to heart, plus these handy tips, Darkwood becomes a much easier game to play.
5 Torch
Many horror and survival games punish the player for running away because of the noise they make while being hunted. However, Darkwood gives players a chance to do so, if they have the skills for it. While running away, the torch can come in handy, but players should note the pros and cons of this light source. There's a good reason why it's at the top of the list. The torch is one of the first light sources players get familiar with and can be utilized in both offensive and defensive ways. So running away can sometimes feel like a better idea with it.
First, it must be equipped in order to use it, so players won't be able to hold a weapon while they're holding the torch, but it can be doubled as a weapon if players choose to defend themselves that way. Second, it can burn up the black substances that are littered throughout the world, and players can light up oil puddles and trails that make the world far less scary at night. However, it only lasts just under 6 minutes and loses durability while in use. Plus, the many events that happen at night impact the behavior of the torch. Since it's an open flame, the night event called Shadow Night Event can bring a rush of air accompanied by many ghosts, which causes the light to blow out. So it's best that players have a light source that doesn't get impacted by these events on top of the torch.
4 Lantern
These light sources are good for many reasons but are held back by the fact that they have only a one-time use. The lanterns share the qualities of the torch, meaning the night events in Darkwood impact how the light acts. Since it's an open flame like the torch, players shouldn't use it during those night events. But unlike the torch, the lantern is great for exploring caves during the day, because it emits a large scope of light. Darkwood features weapons and tools that make survival more realistic, and this lantern can help bring everything home to a degree.
The biggest advantage of having a lantern over a torch is that players can have a weapon equipped at the same time since the lantern is a passive light source. All players would need to do is equip it on the hot bar, and then put a weapon or tool in the hot bar as well, and then they can defend themselves better. However, as mentioned before, once the light is gone, it's gone and can't be repaired and disappears from the player's inventory. But the best part of this light source is that it lasts a while, around the 22-minute mark. So players should always have at least two in their inventory.
3 Flares
Flares are somewhat important and can help players fight more aggressively in Darkwood. Plus, they are the only open-flame light source that doesn't get impacted by night events. Like many horror games, inventory management is crucial in Darkwood. If a player has to drop a light source to make room for a weapon, things can get harder. Flares can help players do this better, mainly because they can be stacked, allowing them to use flares strategically. As mentioned before, these light sources aren't impacted by the Shadow Night Events of Darkwood, but players can't hold anything if they have flare equipped.
If they drop or throw it, it makes a massive shield of light that lasts just over a minute, so players can fight that way. If they have good weapons, then all this can be done fluidly and effectively. Plus, if players aren't near a lantern, or need to get to a safe area, these flares will create paths for them, so collecting them as much as players can is always a good idea.
2 Military Flashlight
Probably one of the best light sources players can use in Darkwood. Its benefits are worthwhile but come at a pretty crucial cost. The first thing players will note is that it's one of the few light sources without an open flame, allowing it to be used during the Shadow Night Events since the air won't blow it out. On top of that, it shines very brightly, so players can see what's in front of them at a longer distance.
However, while these are great attributes, there are some important sacrifices players will face when using the military flashlight. Flashlights in Darkwood are powered by batteries. Players will need to buy them or find them. Since it has a bright light, it comes at a cost of battery power, so it uses more than most other flashlights. It also can't be used with a weapon, so players should be very careful using this light source because while great, it can slow down the progression for players.
1 Normal Flashlight
This is the best of the best of the light sources players can get in the game. It takes the best of the military flashlight and turns it down a little, so this is a balanced light source in Darkwood. Like the military flashlight, it takes batteries, so players should choose between the two. Since the world of Darkwood is rather terrifying because players know so little, much like other games in the genre, the flashlight makes the world feel less scary because it's lit up now, not super bright, but they will know what's expected.
Players should pick this flashlight over the military one because it lasts longer, but at the cost of less light. This may feel like it'll make things harder in Darkwood, but in reality, it helps quite a bit without using that many resources. However, much like the military flashlight, it can't be used at the same time as a weapon, so players should use this flashlight to explore or run away if they need to.
Darkwood is available now on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.