Posted: 23 months ago, last updated 4 months ago.
Author: @GeekDadGamer, Rich Adams and Jo Robertson.
Overview
The 400 days of the game advance in real time, both during play and between sessions. As time passes you click to move around and explore the world, find items and take on simple tasks. It is set in a small cave with hand-drawn paintings on the wall and carpets on the floor. Not unlike a hobbit hole. There is even a fire in the corner. In the space you, as the Shade, wait until the time arrives when you can awaken its king.
Along with the long-slow pace of the game, interactions in the world are also slow. You move slowly, and even simple tasks take a long long time. This consists mostly of exploring caves, gathering resources to furnish your home and other busy work. These things can slightly speed up the game clock but not very much.
Although this sounds like something of an anti-game, it is surprisingly intriguing and appealing. It invites you to face the slow pace of time. But more than that, it becomes a place for you to face, and potentially reconnect with yourself. How you play the game doesn't have a huge effect on the screen (although there are several endings) but it can have a large effect on you, the player.
Game Details
Release Date: 05/03/2020
Platforms: Mac, PC and Switch
Content Rating: PEGI 7
Skill Rating: 7+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Adventure, Simulation (Narrative and Point-and-Click)
Developer: Studio Seufz (@StudioSeufz)
Lists
View our choice of games like The Longing. This game is good if you want to:
Duration
Play Style
You can play this game in the following styles:
Age Ratings
Skill Rating
7+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. This requires some unusual skills. You need to be willing to wait for months of real-time to prgress. Younger players need to be able to enjoy very slow progress. Those that see this more as a game to visit and see what's happen rather than to win, enjoy it the most.
Accessibility
We haven't documented accessibility features for this game yet. Our The Longing Accessibility Report details system-wide settings that may help, and suggests similar games with accessibility features. Tweet the developer (@StudioSeufz) to let them know about our Accessibility Questionnaire.
Diversity and Inclusion

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