Screenshots
Watch trailer on Steam ↗The Tavern In the Woods
Chris J Mitchell · Published by Motion Forge CG · Official site ↗
Content notice: This game contains elements of horror and the supernatural. It is not suited to young children or kids.
Very Positive — 81% positive (57 reviews) · 6 achievements
Last updated 8 Oct 2026
"Tavern in the Woods" is a first person, single-player interactive fiction story that blends mystery, storytelling, and supernatural horror. Players explore and investigate an isolated environment as the narrative slowly unfolds, gradually uncovering the truth behind the eerie emptiness.
Adventure, Indie, Simulation, Free To Play · 2025 · More free games
Step into the chilling world of "Tavern in the Woods," a first-person interactive fiction experience that invites you to unravel mysteries and face supernatural horrors in a lonely woods.
About this game
"Tavern in the Woods" is a single-player, first-person, story-driven mystery.
You take on the role of a weary traveler, and your journey has led you down an unfamiliar path through sparse and lonely countryside—a forgotten wilderness. At last, you arrive at an ancient tavern, nestled deep within the encroaching woods. Your heart weighs heavy with doubt—will there be room for you to rest? But as you step inside, you find only silence, an empty place, and a lingering mystery waiting in the shadows.
Gameplay:
You assume the role of a first-person protagonist, exploring the environment as the story gradually unfolds.
This is a work of interactive fiction that immerses you in a haunted landscape.
Key Features:
Atmosphere: An immersive, medieval-era setting—you arrive at the tavern late at night only to find it deserted. With no horse, no weapons, and only the expectation of a meal and a bed, your evening takes an unsettling turn.
No Combat: The game focuses on atmosphere, exploration and narrative. Combat is not required, though you may be witness to it!
Investigation: Where has everyone gone? Is a dark supernatural force at work? Uncover the truth through careful exploration.
Additional Technical Details:
Game Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour (or 1–2 hours for thorough explorers).
No Save Function: Due to the short playtime, saving is not currently implemented.
Presently only Keyboard and Mouse Controls are compatible with the game.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 6 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1070 / AMD RX 5600 XT
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 6 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX9c compliant
- VR Support: None
Recommended
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600
- Memory: 12 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3070 / AMD Radeon RX 6800
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 10 GB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX9c compliant
- VR Support: None
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
Patch NotesOfficial
Minor Tweak
A very minor tweak - slowed down mouse look speed. A subtle change, but the original speed, for first person, was too fast and this is now slightly dampened. Mouse speed can still be changed in the settings.Read full article on Community Announcements (CJM)Patch NotesOfficial
Minor Tweaks and Amends
Minor updates: Mainly some tweaks to the menu settings. Adjusted Audio Default settings. Added a setting for Motion Blur. Some other minor tweaks. Game version has remained at 1.4.Read full article on Community Announcements (CJM)AnnouncementsOfficial
General Updates and New Game In Early Prep
Updates and upcoming project.A short update for Tavern In The Woods. Sorry, I've mentioned this a couple times before, so won't mention again. But this game/interactive story has been purchased and played way more than I was expecting. I thought I may get a couple hundred downloads after a while and maybe a couple reviews.At the time of this post – it’s has almost 25,000 (free) purchases and numerous reviews. By no means a big amount compared to some games, but way more than I was expecting!Since it was launched, I've also made several updates and improvements. Some updates (I would admit) should have been there to start with, for example a settings menu. But these updates and improvements have all been added and are live. Tavern in the Woods - Story Enhancements:There are a few minor tweaks I will make, or have made, but these haven’t been released as yet. These are very small and more related to menu settings.I am also considering adding some additional story enhancements. I have found as I played through recently that I wished there was more story. As noted in previous posts this is my first game on steam and I was learning elements of this as I went along. So I was not able to focus at times or just got sucked in by the dev work, without spending as much time on the story line as I would have liked.So, I am looking into further story enhancements to add more depth. These updates won't be anything too large, as I want to focus on my upcoming project(s) (see below). But where ever I can improve Tavern In the Woods – I will do so.I've written a post in a bit more detail about Tavern In the Woods and if you wish to read further please see the link below.Musings - Tavern In the Woods Planning phase for next game: Museum Horror (Working title)I have, since making this game, had in mind my next game with far greater depth in both gameplay and story line (it's not connected to Tavern In The Woods). To this end I have several ideas. All though will be a single player, st...Read full article on Community Announcements (CJM)Patch NotesOfficial
Version 1.4 - Refinements and Bug Fixes
Version 1.4 Released: This refines and polishes the previous release and also updates the story game logic. Audio Settings: 1. The mono sound setting is fixed and the narration plays evenly over both speakers. 2. I've added a narration volume level setting to the audio settings. 3. I've also tweaked volume levels so the narration stands out further. Particle Effects: 4. I have further optimised particle settings. Refinements: 5. The longer notes now auto scroll (with a hint for the player to scroll) with no mouse cursor required. So you keep control of the viewport as well. 6. I have further amended game logic. So you now have to explore the Tavern and Barn before the goblin can appear. 7. The letter at the end still had one issue with some logic and didn't appear if you stood next to it - too soon. This is fixed. 8. I've added another sign post pointing in direction of barn and also changed the location of the map (in the tavern) so it's more prominent in the tavern. 9. Added the map also into the barn. 10. A few other tweaks and refinements.Read full article on Community Announcements (CJM)Patch NotesOfficial
Update 1.3
Additions: Added narration. Added achievements. Added more information and details about the story and events unfoled. Added a diary in the tavern about more info on the events that are happening. Added a map in the tavern of the local area. Improved story logic. Game Logic: Added logic so if you explore the landscape before entering the tavern you will not trigger any story events. Added lock to the barn - so you have to find the key first. General Refinements: Added styled text to letters. Added Letter paper background. Toned down some particle effects - as they were too strong and also made them more performant. Audio: Add narration in game. Added music to the menu. Added more audio options. Bug fixes: Not really a bug - but fixed logic in the final letter that could keep it on screen. A couple other minor bug fixes.Read full article on Community Announcements (CJM)
