Welcome to Survivor’s Shorts – where the chaos is short-lived, but the trauma lasts forever.
These are the weird, the wild, and the deeply unfortunate moments that happened during a playthrough—and deserved a spotlight. From moose ambushes to spear-missing disasters, every tale here is proof that survival isn’t just about skill. It’s about panicking creatively.
The Pancake Betrayal – A Recipe for Disappointment
I found the recipe. I found the syrup.
Then I found out I needed Cooking Level 4 and acorn grounds.
That was the moment breakfast died.
Read it here – The Pancake Betrayal: A Tale of Syrup, Hope, and Crushing Disappointment in The Long Dark
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The Wolf That Interrupted My Mapping Session
A peaceful moment with charcoal ends in bite marks. Read it here: I Was Just Trying to Get Home (And Then This Happened)
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The Moose Behind the Tree – A 5% Spawn, 100% Panic Sprint
It didn’t charge. It didn’t stomp.
It just stood there—behind a tree—like it knew I’d scream.
I ran. I’m still emotionally running. Read it here: The Moose Behind the Tree
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The Doedicurus That Broke My Spirit
It rolled toward me like a boulder from an Indiana Jones film.
Day One ended in failure—and a face full of tail. Read it here: It rolled toward me like a boulder from an Indiana Jones film
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The One-Shot Wonder – Bear Meets Panic Rifle
Walking home along Coastal Highway in the dark.
Heard a bear. Panicked.
Scored a one-shot kill and felt like a survival god for 0.5 seconds. Read it here: The One-Shot Wonder: Bear Meets Panic Rifle
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The Desolation Point Debacle
Decided to attempt a run on Interloper in The Long Dark. A moose took offence to that idea. Read it here: The Desolation Point Debacle
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The Rabbit Got Up & Left Like I Wasn’t Even Worth It
In Pleasant Valley, I stunned a rabbit in The Long Dark. I walked over, ready to claim victory—only for it to stand up, look at me, and run away. I’ve never felt so insulted by a ball of fluff. Read it here: The Rabbit Got Up and Left Like I Wasn’t Even Worth It
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The Peeper in the Pod
Sometimes survival gets awkward. Day 1 on 4546B, and a peeper crash-landed with me. It survived re-entry, the explosion, and the fire… but not breakfast.
Survivor Incognito 