6 Desolation Point
Desolation point is probably best for intermediates or those looking for a challenge. It’s ideal for exploring the desolate landscape and perfect if you like the hunting mechanics in The Long Dark due to the fair amount of wolves, bears, and other deadly predators around you.
Despite this survival challenge, you can actually get some decent loot from the surrounding area. There’s also a good amount of coal to get hold of so you can craft and spend your days fishing. Ultimately, Desolation Point is ideal for an explorer looking for a challenge but nothing too impossible due to the amount of meat, fish, and coal.
5 Timberwolf Mountain
Another ideal starting map for a relatively experienced player, Timberwolf Mountain is best played on Stalker or Interloper. It’s ideal due to the amount of food, clothes, and loot that spawn in this unforgiving location.
One of the biggest negatives is the speed you need to loot and the temperature. Timberwolf Mountain is one of the coldest starting locations in the game and you’ll certainly be feeling it. Luckily, there’s a fair amount of clothes scattered around as well as some good fishing spots and food. Just grab the loot quickly before some of the good stuff decays.
4 Pleasant Valley
While not as bad a Timberwolf Mountain, Pleasant Valley’s weather absolutely sucks. That being said, if you can get into the Farmstead then your work is cut out for you. Just stay away from the bear that likes to roam around the building and the wolves. It’s ideal if you’re okay with a little combat or have the equipment needed to scare off these deadly animals.
Nevertheless, this farmstead and the surrounding area have everything you need to start off. It has an indoor fireplace, a workbench, a few beds, plenty of food spawns, and an enclosed porch to protect you from the cold. There’s plenty of firewood and storage around along with a working car just outside. Perfect for anyone starting out.
3 Coastal Highway
Coastal Highway is one of the more forgiving starting maps in The Long Dark. It’s pretty friendly and intuitive with loads of useful resources, shelters, and clothes that typically spawn pretty close together which is helpful.
If you’re going to try this map aim to head to the Quonset Gas Station because there’s still a fair amount of hostile wildlife dotted around this area so you’ll need to get inside and to a safe place relatively quickly. The reasoning behind the Gas Station is that it’s actually rated as one of the best bases in the game and after a few nights there you’ll see why. It may not be a permanent stay but it’s an ideal location to begin and get ready to brave the freezing wilderness.
2 Mountain Town
If you’re a true beginner then the likelihood is that this will be the first map you play. It’s the map you’re first put in when playing the story and is easily the most beginner-friendly of the selection. The weather is pretty forgiving for a freezing cold landscape and there’s plenty of places to loot when you eventually get into Milton.
Mountain Town is an ideal map for someone who isn’t sure what they’re doing due to the many buildings and looting options. Thankfully there’s plenty of meat to hunt and not too many wolves - also most of where they spawn is an open area so you can at least see them from afar.
1 Mystery Lake
With a little nicer weather than many of the other maps, Mystery Lake is a pretty good starting map for a beginner, especially due to its relatively close proximity to Milton. With the nice-ish weather, the ability to fish, and the plentiful looting opportunities, it’s a pretty gentle beginning to The Long Dark.
If you start here you’ll be able to stabilize and build for a long-term game if you really know what to do. Even if you don’t, this map is forgiving enough to let you work it out. There’s plenty of meat and fish available as well as loads of loot in the Camp Office and surrounding buildings to help get you back on your feet.
