RAHKO: Shadows Around Us is a co-op survival horror game set in the Finnish countryside during an endless night drawn from local folklore. Players investigate a missing family member while navigating darkened woods, cottages, and farms where boundaries between the human world and ancient spirits have broken down. The core experience blends exploration, resource management, and tense group coordination as participants work to maintain light sources against threats that emerge in the darkness.
Gameplay
The central loop revolves around staying in the light while scavenging materials from abandoned buildings and rural sites. Every fire or lantern must trace its flame back to an initial source, which forces careful planning when moving through swamps, lakes, and underground areas. Players craft gear and offerings from found items to appease angered Väki spirits, turning potential enemies into temporary allies through specific gifts and short quests.
Wildlife encounters add another layer of risk, including bear charges that players can counter by standing ground and using a well-timed shout. Stamina drains from sprinting and jumping, but it recovers by drinking beer rather than through traditional hunger or thirst systems. The setting draws directly from South-West Finnish locations and culture, featuring saunas, cottages, and humor that reflects real regional details.
Progression involves appeasing spirits tied to forests, water, and buildings to unlock passage. Blessings from figures such as Ahti, Tapio, and Ilmarinen provide advantages during the journey toward the family ranch and the realm of the Maahinen.
Game Modes
The game supports 1-4 player co-op sessions focused on survival in the Finnish wilderness and countryside. Sessions emphasize teamwork to keep fires burning and manage threats that appear once players stray from light sources. Single-player runs are possible within the same framework, though the design highlights shared responsibilities when multiple participants join.
Exploration and Folklore
Travel takes players across deep forests, farms, and cottages toward an old family ranch where the central mystery unfolds. Encounters with Väki beings require strategic offerings and quest completion to gain safe passage through swamps and lakes. The underground Maahinen realm adds further layers of navigation and puzzle-like challenges tied to the folklore elements.
Authentic cultural touches appear throughout, from architecture and character interactions to the overall tone of the eternal Kekri night caused by the antagonist Rahko blackening the moon with tar.
Is It Worth Playing?
RAHKO: Shadows Around Us targets fans of co-op survival horror who enjoy folklore-inspired settings and mechanics centered on light management and crafting. The emphasis on fire propagation and spirit alliances creates a distinct loop that rewards careful coordination over fast-paced combat. Because the title remains in development ahead of its planned 2027 PC release, interested players can follow updates through official channels to assess how the systems evolve before launch. Those drawn to atmospheric group experiences in a grounded rural environment will likely find the verified features a strong match for their preferences.
