The eerie survival horror-farming hybrid Descending The Woods has just dropped its highly anticipated Holiday Update, introducing five powerful new tools, dynamic night events, and plenty of quality-of-life improvements. Whether you’re fending off demons in the haunted woods or trying to stay alive on your farm, this update delivers a fresh mix of tension and strategy for players.
AIONWARE continues to refine and expand the game with consistent updates, and following the success of the Halloween event, hopes are high for this holiday release to hit the mark. Here’s everything you need to know about the new equipment, night events, and gameplay improvements that make this update stand out.
Five New Tools to Survive the Paranormal
The Holiday Update introduces five essential tools to aid paranormal investigators. Each tool serves a unique purpose, helping players pinpoint cursed objects, track ghostly activity, and survive the escalating dangers outside the church—especially during late-night demon attacks.
- Black Light (UV Light):
A must-have for ghost hunters, the Black Light reveals ghost footprints and hidden ghost signs, pointing you toward cursed objects. Perfect for those subtle paranormal disturbances that leave no physical evidence. - Radio:
A handy beginner’s tool, the Radio emits frequencies based on your proximity to paranormal sources. It’s a simple but effective way to locate curses in the woods or around your farm. - EMF Reader:
Considered the bread and butter of ghost hunting, the EMF Reader uses a 5-light system and beeping sounds to detect paranormal hotspots. The closer you are, the faster the beeps—a thrilling tool for navigating tense moments in pitch-black darkness. - EMF Meter:
A more advanced version of the EMF Reader, this tool ditches the beeping lights for wider range detection (up to 120 meters) with adjustable precision. It’s ideal for pinpointing sources across large areas, like open farm fields or dense woods. - Parabolic Microphone:
The ultimate ghost-hunting device, the Parabolic Microphone can filter and detect specific paranormal activities from long distances. It’s directional, meaning it must be pointed toward the activity, but its advanced functionality makes it worth the steep price.
These tools significantly expand gameplay by giving players strategic options to track paranormal entities and avoid dangerous encounters, making survival more manageable—and more immersive.
Terrifying New Night Events: Blood Moon and Beyond
The Holiday Update also introduces dynamic night events that add unpredictability and variety to the game. Each sunset signals what kind of night lies ahead, creating tension as players prepare to face the unknown.
Here are the new Night Event Variations:
- Blood Moon: A nightmare scenario where paranormal activity is at its peak, demons aggressively attack the farm, and survival becomes a frantic battle for safety.
- Bright Moon: A calmer night with lower paranormal activity, offering players a brief respite to explore without overwhelming danger.
- Dark Moon: Near-total darkness blankets the woods and farm, amplifying the terror as visibility drops to almost zero. Ghosts and demons thrive in this environment.
- Calm Night: A rare peaceful night with little to no paranormal activity. Players can roam the woods safely, but major entities still patrol specific areas.
- Normal Night: A standard night of paranormal dangers without additional modifiers.
These events keep players on edge, especially the dreaded Blood Moon, which transforms the game into an intense fight for survival. For those caught in the woods during pitch-black conditions, there’s a small chance of encountering something “friendly” at midnight—a mysterious detail that adds to the game’s unsettling charm.
Additional Improvements and Features
The update isn’t just about tools and night events—it also brings gameplay refinements and new achievements:
- Glowstick and lighter performance have been improved for better visibility.
- Reduced paranormal activity in the woods from 6 AM to 12 PM, giving players time to explore or tend to their farms during the day.
- New achievements like “Path Angel” and “Ritual Book” reward players for uncovering secrets and surviving trials.
- Shovel added to the shop, offering new gameplay possibilities.
- HDR support has been added for supported displays, enhancing the game’s visuals and making nighttime horrors even more immersive.
These updates demonstrate the developers’ attention to detail, addressing community feedback while improving the overall experience.
What’s Next for Descending The Woods?
AIONWARE has exciting plans for future updates, including:
- A bigger farm and farmhouse variants.
- Farm investigations, where paranormal attacks haunt your land, forcing you to identify and exorcise entities before they take hold.
- Construction systems for large buildings like barns, adding even more depth to the farming mechanics.
These additions promise to further blend the game’s cozy farming sim elements with its chilling survival horror core.
Now Playable on Steam Deck
In great news for portable gamers, Descending The Woods is now playable on the Steam Deck. While the controls may need fine-tuning, it’s an excellent step for players who want to take their ghost-hunting adventures on the go.
Why This Update is Worth Your Time
The Holiday Update is a fantastic reason for players—both returning and new—to jump into Descending The Woods. The addition of game-changing tools, dynamic night events, and gameplay enhancements delivers fresh layers of strategy and tension to the game.
Whether you’re fending off demons during a Blood Moon, scanning for ghostly footprints with the Black Light, or nervously tuning into paranormal frequencies, there’s something thrilling waiting for every player.
Descending The Woods is available on Steam, and you can join the community on their official Discord server to stay updated on future updates and connect with fellow players.
Prepare your farm, arm yourself with new tools, and brace for the horrors of the Holiday Update—survival has never been so chilling.