
What players like:
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Gameplay feedback:
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Review evidence
An excellent survival game with engaging tribe management and a visually stunning open world, plus appreciated free DLC, though poor lighting, darkness, and a buggy launch still linger.
Free DLC appreciated: Many players appreciate that the DLC is offered for free, including the first DLC and cosmetic packs. They see it as a generous move and a reason to support the developers.
Excellent overall game: Players describe the game as excellent, very good, and beautiful overall. It is considered a must-play for survival game fans.
Engaging tribe management system: Players can delegate work to captured tribesmen and recruit more competent NPCs. The tribe management includes assigning jobs and using thralls to ease workload.
Good cosmetic content: Cosmetic content, including new building pieces and sets, looks good and is appreciated. The cosmetics pack is free and makes the home base more comfortable.
Visually stunning open world: The game features a graphically magnificent open-world survival simulation with breathtaking environments. The world is beautiful and visually impressive.
Poor lighting and darkness: The game is too dark, obsidian buildings absorb light making interiors dark, and reflections and brazier light look ugly. These visual issues hurt visibility and aesthetics.
Buggy launch and lingering issues: The game was very buggy at launch and still has intermittent problems. One reviewer expressed total disappointment due to bugs.
Poor building material integration: Obsidian buildings do not auto-upgrade, and high-level obsidian materials cannot be unlocked. Building pieces are also unsuitable for PvP bases, limiting base design.
DLC release and discovery issues: The free DLC cannot be found on the Shifting Sands map, and players question releasing a free DLC during early access instead of as a base update. This creates confusion and frustration.
Steam DLC download issues: Players report the game showing 'Download' instead of 'In Library' and DLC failing to download when clicking download. This prevents access to purchased content.
Open-world survival and building: Players highlight the open-world survival building genre, with exploration, crafting, farming, and base construction as core activities. The game features a large world map and diverse gameplay loops.
Base building and customization: Building is a key feature, with players constructing houses, gardens, and villages. Unlocking building materials and cosmetic customization are frequently mentioned.
Tribesmen and NPC management: Players can capture tribesmen and assign them jobs, delegating tasks like crafting and item retrieval. This tribe management system reduces workload and adds depth.
Recipe unlocking via stone tablets: Recipes for weapons and construction are unlocked by finding stone tablets, including those in the volcano. This mechanic is a notable progression system.
Multiplayer and PvP/PvE modes: The game supports both single-player and multiplayer, with PvE co-op focused on grinding, raiding, and building. Building pieces have different uses in PvP and PvE.
DLC Download Failure: Players report that DLC content fails to download, preventing access to purchased additional content.
General recommendation to buy: Several reviewers give straightforward endorsements such as 'Buy it' or 'Buy this game now.' These indicate overall satisfaction and strong word-of-mouth.
Highly recommended for survival fans: Multiple reviewers explicitly recommend the game to survival genre enthusiasts, citing deep mechanics and world-building. It is described as a must-play for that audience.
Enjoyable with friends or solo: Players highlight the game as fun both in cooperative play with friends and when playing alone. This flexibility broadens its appeal across different play styles.
Time-consuming but worth it: One reviewer warns that the game takes up all your time while still recommending it. This suggests high engagement but potential for excessive play sessions.
Base building is a nice bonus: For those who enjoy base building, the game is a welcome addition, though not essential. This suggests the feature is appreciated but not a core selling point.
Players describe the game as enjoyable from early on, driven by content volume, crafting depth, and solo or co-op village building. One review notes a possible late-game task shortage but still calls the game very good.
Open-World Survival Content Omnivore: Samples many systems and modes, including PvE and PvP, rather than specializing in one activity. Motivation: Access to a wide variety of survival, crafting, farming, roleplaying, and combat activities in one game. Stance: buy.
Nostalgic Survival Hunter: Engages primarily with hunting and survival activities reminiscent of established survival titles. Motivation: Recapturing the feel of early survival-game experiences while enjoying hunting. Stance: buy.
PvE Village Builder: Focuses on foundations, walls, and village construction in PvE rather than PvP base-building. Motivation: Building and developing a village in PvE, either alone or with friends. Stance: buy.
Free DLC and content: Players highlight that the game offers free DLC, including cosmetic packs and building packs, and appreciates that it is not paid. Some mention a free update as well.
Early access and unfinished state: Some players note that the game is still in beta or early access, and one reviewer describes it as not finished. This may affect expectations.
Positive comparisons to other survival games: Reviewers compare the game favorably to Conan Exiles, Rust, Enshrouded, and 7 Days to Die, calling it a top promising title and a pearl. One notes it is reminiscent of first getting into survival games.
Frequent updates and community engagement: The developers are praised for releasing many updates in 2024, listening to community feedback, and constantly adding new content. The game has come a long way since launch.
No paid monetization gimmicks: The game is praised for having no loot boxes or paid monetization gimmicks, and it is contrasted favorably with other games described as money grabs. The developers are commended for not selling DLCs for a buggy game.