The Long Dark 2 Announced with Co-Op and Psychological Survival Mechanics

Hinterland Studios reveals Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, set for Early Access in 2026, while the original game's episodic campaign remains incomplete.

Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 introduces co-op multiplayer, urban environments, and a new psychological survival system called 'Will to Live.'
The game is planned to launch in Early Access in 2026, with only a portion of the full map and foundational mechanics available at release.
The original game, The Long Dark, remains unfinished nearly a decade after its release, with the final episode of its Wintermute campaign delayed until 2025.
Blackfrost will feature a new game engine, mounts, and a Permalife system, which narrativizes player deaths while retaining the option for classic permadeath.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions, with excitement for the sequel tempered by concerns over Hinterland's history of delays and development priorities.