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THE LONGING

An unusual mix of adventure and idle game. In utter loneliness deep below the surface, it's your task to wait for the awakening of your king... for 400 days.

Steam Page
Developer
Studio Seufz
Publisher
Application Systems Heidelberg
Release
March 5, 2020
6 years and 150 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive7,409 reviews92.3%

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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Application Systems Heidelberg meets the large-publisher game and partner thresholds.
Search Google: Is THE LONGING self-published or published by Application Systems Heidelberg?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is THE LONGING and Application Systems Heidelberg funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for THE LONGING and Studio Seufz?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
Application Systems Heidelberg is listed as a separate publisher for this release.

Media

17 items

About the Game

Unusual mix of an adventure and an idle-game.


Play as a lonely Shade, the last servant of a king who once ruled an underground kingdom. The king's powers have faded and he falls asleep for 400 days to regain his might. It is your duty to stay in the earthen palace until he awakens.

As soon as you start, the game inevitably counts down the 400 days - even when you stop playing and exit the game.

It is now up to you to decide what to do with your solitary existence beneath the soil. Don't stress yourself, you have plenty of time.

Choose your playing style

Start the game and simply come back after 400 days to see how it ends. You actually don't have to play the game at all. But the Shade will be even more lonely without you.

Or explore the caves and collect items for your comfortable underground living room. Just send the Shade to take a stroll - the walking speed is slow, but luckily there is no need to hurry.

Read tons of classic literature from Nietzsche to Moby Dick right in the game - or at least have the shade read them. After all, time goes by faster if you learn to keep your mind occupied. (The little Shade in the game finds ONLY English books for now.)

Ignore the king's commands and advance to the outer regions the cave. It will be a long and dangerous journey into darkness...

Features

  • Slow exploration of a vast, hand-drawn cave.
  • Atmospheric Dungeon Synth soundtrack.
  • Various endings.
  • Lots of well hidden secrets.
  • Time-based puzzles.
  • A lonely but cute protagonist.
NOTE: The game time keeps counting down even if you quit the game or shut down your computer.
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