The conclusion of The Long Dark is nearly upon us. After over a decade in the making and seven years dedicated to its debated story mode, Wintermute, the long-awaited final chapter is now nearing completion. Unfortunately, the developers at Hinterland Studio announced that the episode will not be out until March 31, 2026.

“While the majority of the episode is now finished, there was just no way for us to wrap up the remaining cinematic work, the soundtrack, or complete the last bit of mission polish in time for the end of this year as we had originally planned,” Hinterland stated in a Steam post.

This delay will surely let down fans of the survival game, especially since Hinterland had initially claimed that it would be ready by both 2024 and 2025. However, as Hinterland explained back in April, “once it’s done, we can never go back,” reflecting their commitment to quality.

Despite the delay, they have committed to a specific release date. This was revealed through a new trailer that showcases various environments, including a rocky river, a mine, and a control station with visible features. We also got glimpses of cryptic narrative hints, such as a suggestion that the aurora is “changing.”

When it ultimately arrives, Episode 5 is expected to be substantial, boasting between two to three times more cinematic and story content compared to Episode 4, which is the largest to date. The episode will be more linear than prior entries, introducing players to new locations.

Additionally, the sequel, Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, is projected to enter early access in 2026, promising to enhance every aspect of the survival genre.