Mard

Mard is a first- and third-person action, exploration and horror game set in the open-world wilderness of northern Sweden. You play a detective who takes time off from the precinct to visit the cabin his late father left him. Accompanied by Speck, his German shorthaired pointer, you investigate why your father spent his final months isolated there and what happened to him.

The cabin and its clues

The cabin appears to be as your father left it. Inside, you find strange old books about an ancient legend of a mythological creature that the native people believed protected the land, along with notes left by your father. You search those notes for clues and explore key areas as you try to uncover the truth.

Speck and the wilderness

Speck alerts you when danger is nearby and is the first to notice anything of interest. He can carry important items and help you get past obstacles. The wilderness is far from civilization, with few landmarks, and its wildlife can attack you. You can follow the beaten track or leave it to discover wildlife.

Finding your way

You use a crudely drawn map to mark important locations and a compass to navigate; the compass is important to have before leaving the cabin. You can use the cabin for protection and as a vantage point, but must keep its door closed to stop things from getting inside. The door will not hold forever, so you also need to stock up on spare ammunition before heading out.

Facing the elements

Day and night pass naturally as the story progresses. Some areas are pitch black even during the day, so you need a flashlight as you explore the forest and face the elements of Scandinavian nature. You also find weapons to defend yourself against the dangers of the wild.