The Secret of Darkwoods

The Secret of Darkwoods

Released Mar 2023

Open-world illustrated text-based RPG. Inspired by classic role-playing video games and fantasy gamebooks, the secret of darkwoods is a free game, a non-linear standalone adventure with side quests in a vast world.

89% positive · 119 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Evaluation

The Secret of Darkwoods launched on March 27, 2023 as a complete, standalone RPG. The developer shipped two small patches shortly after launch — a bug fix on March 30, 2023 and a text/music update on April 5, 2023 — and has not posted any further updates to the game itself since then. The store description and short description both present the game as a finished, standalone product ("a free game, a non-linear standalone adventure"), with no mention of planned expansions, DLC, or future content additions. No DLC has been listed on the store. The developer's subsequent news posts announce entirely separate games: Heroes of the Seven Islands (announced August 28, 2024) and Heroes of the Underworld (announced June 1, 2026). These posts make clear the developer has moved on to new projects, treating The Secret of Darkwoods as a completed work that preceded these successors. There is no indication of any planned content for this game.
Evidence
Developer announced a new, separate game (Heroes of the Seven Islands), explicitly describing it as their 'second game, after The Secret of Darkwoods' — treating Darkwoods as a completed prior work.
news post · Aug 28, 2024 source development ending
high
Developer announced yet another new game (Heroes of the Underworld), continuing to focus entirely on new projects with no mention of further content for The Secret of Darkwoods.
news post · Jun 1, 2026 source development ending
medium

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Rap2h
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

Open-word illustrated text-based RPG

The Secret of Darkwoods is an open-world, procedural, text-based RPG that allows players to explore a vast and dangerous world filled with secrets and treasures to discover. The game is set in the mythical land of Emeyralia, a dark and foreboding place where ancient magic and mythical creatures still exist.

Players take on the role of a brave adventurer who must journey through the treacherous forests, swamps, and dungeons of Emeyralia in order to uncover the secrets of the land and become a true hero. As they explore the world, players will encounter a wide variety of enemies and obstacles, from fierce beasts and powerful warriors to treacherous traps and hidden dangers.

Choose your fate in this non-linear fantasy gamebook.

Key Features

  • 800+ Unique Text Pages With Variations

  • 350+ Generated Illustrations

  • Play the main quest (3 to 5 hours), or randomly explore and start side quests

  • Explore villages, cities, dungeons, swamps, caves, forests, cemeteries and temples

  • Music by Dungeon Synth Artists: Percidae, Hjartans, Bounce castle, Alloch Nathir, Kasriel, Erang, Black Rose Tomes, Infernal Symphony, Rap2h

In order to survive the dangers of Emeyralia, players will need to use their cunning, strength, and dexterity to overcome their enemies and progress through the game. They can choose from a variety of weapons, armors, and abilities to help them in their quest, and they can also collect valuable treasures and artifacts to aid them on their journey.

The game features stunning ai-generated visuals, and its atmospheric soundtrack is composed by seven talented dungeon synth composers. Inspired by Daggerfall and Fighting Fantasy gamebooks, The Secret of Darkwoods is an original RPG experience that will keep players coming back for more. Visit more than 25 towns, villages, and cities. Explore cemeteries, swamps, caves, dungeons, forests, and temples. Talk with people in taverns, in shops, or in the streets, and ask them for scripted quests or procedurally generated ones. Fight deadly monsters.

Last evaluated Jun 21, 2026
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