Northern Lights
" Immersive open-world survival sim with stunning auroras and deep crafting but clunky UI "
Northern Lights Review
Northern Lights is an Early Access survival game set in a harsh Siberian winter, drawing frequent comparisons to The Long Dark. Players appreciate its stunning graphics, especially the realistic aurora borealis and atmospheric environment, which effectively immerse them in a brutal survival experience. The game offers a large open world with exploration, crafting, and survival mechanics that challenge players to manage hunger, warmth, and sanity.
However, many reviews highlight that Northern Lights is still rough around the edges. Users report clunky UI, lag, bugs, and frustrating design decisions that limit gameplay freedom. Combat and animal AI need significant improvement, while the snowmobile mechanics are widely criticized for poor controls and causing motion sickness. Despite these issues, the developers are praised for their responsiveness and ongoing updates. Players see great potential if the game continues to evolve, but most recommend waiting for further polish before purchasing.
Highlights
Players praise Northern Lights for its beautiful and realistic graphics, particularly the aurora borealis and immersive winter atmosphere. The large, open-world map and survival mechanics provide a challenging yet rewarding experience. The game’s story mode and exploration elements engage players, while the crafting system offers depth. Many appreciate the developers’ active communication and commitment to improving the game. The survival aspects, including managing sanity and harsh environmental conditions, add to the tension and realism. Fans of The Long Dark find familiar yet fresh gameplay elements that evoke nostalgia.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on unpolished mechanics and frustrating design choices. The UI is described as clunky and unintuitive, with inventory management and crafting needing overhaul. Combat and animal AI are weak, with glitches and poor hit detection. The snowmobile controls are widely disliked, causing difficulty and motion sickness. Players find some survival mechanics unrealistic or overly punishing, such as rapid cabin fever onset and limited storage capacity. Performance issues like lag and crashes are reported, alongside repetitive voice acting and lack of weather dynamics. Several reviews mention the game feeling incomplete and buggy, urging caution when buying in its current state.
Pros
- • Stunning and immersive graphics with realistic aurora borealis effects.
- • Large open world encouraging exploration and discovery.
- • Engaging survival mechanics including hunger, warmth, and sanity.
- • Crafting system offers meaningful choices and depth.
- • Story mode provides clear objectives and narrative engagement.
- • Developers are responsive and actively update the game.
- • Atmospheric sound design enhances immersion.
Cons
- • Clunky and unintuitive user interface and inventory system.
- • Combat and animal AI suffer from glitches and poor hit detection.
- • Snowmobile controls are frustrating and cause motion sickness.
- • Performance issues include lag, stuttering, and occasional crashes.
- • Rapid onset of cabin fever limits player freedom and immersion.
- • Limited storage capacity feels unrealistic and restrictive.
- • Repetitive and low-quality voice acting detracts from experience.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Northern Lights released?
Northern Lights was released on December 14, 2020.
Who developed Northern Lights?
Northern Lights was developed by MadGoat Studio.
Is Northern Lights available on Mac?
No, Northern Lights is not currently available on Mac according to our data.
Is Northern Lights available on Linux?
No, Northern Lights is not currently available on Linux according to our data.
Where can I buy Northern Lights?
You can buy Northern Lights on Steam.
Game Details
Northern Lights is an open world survival simulation set in the extreme conditions of the arctic tundra. Clinging to life, you must use real-life survival techniques to gather resources, craft, and hunt while tending to your health and sanity. Can you survive your way out of the mysterious island?