Draugen sends an American naturalist named Edward Harden to a remote Norwegian fishing village in the early 1920s. Every resident has vanished. The game, developed by Red Thread Games, asks players to gather clues, memories and the truth behind a terrible tragedy. It is a first-person psychological horror adventure set among the deep fjords and towering mountains of Norway’s west coast.
Trailer, via Red Thread Games.
Edward Harden and Alice
Edward Harden travels with his young companion, Alice, to the village of Graavik. He is chasing his missing sister Elizabeth, whose last known location points to the Fretland family household. The pair arrive to find the town deserted. Searching the Fretland farmhouse, Edward finds a tailor’s dummy wearing Elizabeth’s scarf, which convinces him she had been or perhaps still is nearby.
During their first night, Edward spots a shadow at his window and chases it, believing the figure is his sister. He pursues the figure through the hillside until Alice finds him. She notes their boat has vanished from the coast, stranding them in the village.
The Village of Graavik
Graavik once served as a mining town run by twin brothers Johan and Fredrik Fretland. An unknown quarrel drove the brothers apart, and their hostility spread through the rest of the community. The death of Johan’s daughter Ruth broke the last bonds entirely. Johan accuses his nephew Simon of causing her death, sparking open conflict.
Edward and Alice find an unnamed villager near the church who hanged himself. Edward later discovers Anna’s diary entries, which show concern for Ruth. The entries reveal Ruth had been making secret visits somewhere on the island and hoarding what appear to be ancient Viking artifacts.
Letters, Clothing and the Journal
Draugen splits into six chapters, each representing one day. Players move through the mysteries by finding letters, exploring areas and putting clues together. The game includes an interactive component. Players can draw in a personal journal, play on a piano, ring bells and engage with objects around them.
There is also a dialogue system. Choices shape the story as Edward and Alice move deeper into the village’s past.
The Woman in Black and the Little Girl
From time to time, a woman in black can be spotted in the distance. Who is she, and what is her connection to this place? A little girl sings broken lullabies as the sky darkens. When night falls and the last drops of kerosene feed a fragile flame, what hides out there in the darkness and in the cold, black sea?
These figures keep the village unsettling. The game builds dread through small details rather than constant terror.
Psychology, Isolation and Trauma
The story deals with themes including psychology, isolation and trauma. The village’s history is told through letters, diaries and conversations. Players piece together the Fretlands’ quarrel, Ruth’s death and the community’s collapse.
| Element | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward Harden | Protagonist, searching for his missing sister |
| Alice | Companion |
| Johan and Fredrik Fretland | Twin brothers who ran the village |
| Ruth | Johan’s daughter, whose death broke the family |
| Anna’s diary | Reveals Ruth’s secret visits and artifacts |
The Score
Draugen earns a 7.1 of 10. The game succeeds at building atmosphere and dread. Its puzzle elements and exploration feel thin compared to the story’s ambitions. Players will enjoy the village’s secrets and the mystery surrounding the woman in black and the little girl. The game’s strengths lie in its setting and its ability to unsettle rather than scare.
Draugen is a strong, atmospheric mystery with a weak puzzle framework. It is best enjoyed for its story and setting rather than its gameplay.
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