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Through the Woods

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

Through the Woods is a third-person Norse horror adventure set in a forest on the western shores of Norway that tells the story of a mother and her missing son.

Global score

71/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie

Pros

  • Strong atmospheric and immersive environment
  • Engaging story with norse mythology
  • Unique horror experience without jump scares
  • Detailed and authentic setting
  • Emotional narrative focus

Cons

  • Short game length
  • Technical issues and bugs
  • Limited gameplay mechanics
  • Poor optimization and performance problems
  • Mediocre voice acting and animations

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players control the protagonist's movement and decisions in exploration and stealth, but the path is mostly linear with limited gameplay mechanics."

  • Competence
    1

    "Gameplay involves simple running, sneaking, and flashlight use with some stealth elements; not highly skill-demanding but requires some timing and strategy."

  • Competition
    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal story experience and exploration without comparison to others."

  • Continuation
    1

    "Short game length (~3-6 hours) and some players replay to explore more lore or achievements, but overall limited replay value."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Strong creative expression in storytelling, environment design, and incorporation of Norse mythology; limited player creation or modification."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control over others; solo narrative experience."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Immersive atmospheric horror and folklore setting provides escape from reality and emotional engagement."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by interest in story, mythology, and atmosphere rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting
    1

    "Some exploration and discovery of lore and environment, but gameplay routines are fairly established and linear."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Players explore detailed environments and uncover lore, though within mostly linear paths and limited freedom."

  • Expression
    -3

    "No character customization or player-driven expression; fixed protagonist and preset environments."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Strongly rooted in Norse mythology and supernatural folklore, creating an imaginative and fantastical experience."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "Solo play with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth
    2

    "Players learn about Norse mythology and story elements; limited skill growth due to simple gameplay."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay without physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires player attention and engagement throughout; some slow pacing but no background or idle play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Emotional narrative focuses on mother-son relationship but limited social interaction or relationship building."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative."

  • Progression
    2

    "Progression through story and collection of lore items and achievements; no character upgrades or power accumulation."

  • Relaxation
    1

    "Atmospheric and immersive but with moments of tension; overall moderate relaxation with some suspense."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Strong sensory atmosphere through sound design, music, and visual environment to evoke emotional responses."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status elements; individual experience."

  • Story
    5

    "Narrative-driven game with strong emphasis on story, character development, and lore immersion."

  • Strategy
    1

    "Basic stealth and avoidance mechanics require some planning but overall straightforward gameplay."

  • Thrill
    2

    "Some suspenseful moments and tension from monster encounters but not intense horror or adrenaline rush."

  • Value
    1

    "Mixed player opinions on value; short length and technical issues lower perceived value but story and atmosphere praised."

  • Violence
    -4

    "No combat or destruction; gameplay focuses on avoidance and survival rather than violence."

  • Survival
    2

    "Elements of survival through avoidance of threats and managing encounters, but no resource management or health system."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026