Don't Starve

This community engagement is not only smart from a marketing and outreach perspective, but it's what gives Don't Starve its depth: All of these features bundled into a survival game with streamlined, robust mechanics and infinite ways to die.

The game is addictive as all hell. [May 2013, p.88]

This is one of the best games of the year. An original survival adventure that surprises because of its many game options and its amazing art style.

Low price, enormous content, it’s a no-brainer. Fans of sandbox survival games, buy it with your eyes closed! [May 2013]

A very original and deep game, It's difficult, long and addictive, but the concept it's based on may not be enjoyable for everyone. Make sure you understand what it is about, and if you like this "survival" experience, then it won't disappoint.

A refreshingly upfront experience, right down to the title. A game that shoves players into a complex, harsh world with little explanation, it can be tough to parse at first. But little by little, Don't Starve reveals itself via deep mechanics and an ever-evolving world. It started strong and got better.

Don't Starve is a sandbox survival game with an unique graphic style, odd setting and challenging but rewarding gameplay. The goal is to survive as long as possible in a very hostile world. It's a tough task but it can be done if you know what you are doing. The game is usually pretty enjoyable but sometimes it can also be very frustrating because you have to repeat the same actions multiple times when you are gathering resources. [June 2013]

One could think that a game that makes you cut down trees, shatter rocks and cook meals will get boring quickly, but it’s not the case with Don’t Starve. Each time you start in a freshly generated world and time and again encounter new things, monsters and events. Even after writing this review I’m convinced there’s still a lot for me to experience in Klei’s new game. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.60]

Cruel and punishing. [July 2013, p.82]

Don't Starve is a particular sandbox/survival game made with dark tones, that will keep you literally glued to the screen. Is one of the most interesting and original indie games for the year 2013.

Don't Starve is at the same time simple and complex, relaxing and intense. Refined mechanics, tons of objects and inspired graphics are able to create an addictive mix. Farming maybe indigestible for some players, but those who love the survival-sandbox formula will be captured by this game.

The feeling of accomplishment when you manage to fend off countless cruel beasties, survive unrelenting foul weather, and fill your belly is potent. Mastering the wilderness is a difficult road, but from it comes a sense of empowerment.

Players looking for a game that will consume them for the next while should consider Don't Starve. The whole process of gathering supplies, and making a go of surviving in the wild while fending off starvation, madness, and predators is quite entertaining.

Quotation forthcoming.

Don’t Starve is a game for those who persevere. The infinitely playable survival RPG with an artsy appearance tests your endurance, but rewards players with a surprisingly unique experience.

It's a game that just keeps giving, even as it tears your life from you. [Issue#136, p.110]

Don't Starve is a great survival game and an interesting take on the Minecraft formula. It's fierce pacing and its permanent deaths make it a great experience. A taxing, nightmarish but ultimately satisfying experience.

An original, funny and engaging title you should try even if you don't have a liking for this kind of gameplay.

You either love it or hate it. There's really no middle ground with Don't Starve. One thing is for sure though: it's the conclusive proof that Klei Interactive is one of the most talented software houses in the biz.

Don’t Starve starts off slow and punishing and continues to get even harder as you play. Its merciless difficulty coupled with its monotonous gameplay can leave some players feeling frustrated and bored. Those who enjoy a good challenge, however, will relish in the satisfaction they’ll get when they manage to outlive their previous record or clear the game’s evil Adventure mode. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a roguelike game filled with charm and challenge, be sure not to miss Don’t Starve.

Don't Starve isn't a game for everyone. It has a high difficulty level and focuses on survival - those things probably will discourage casual gamers. On the other hand, gamers who like challenges and Minecraft or Terraria-like gameplay should consider buying Don't Starve. A complex crafting system, random worlds and pretty, handmade graphics are the real selling points of this game. Many days of fun lie ahead - give it a shot!

Don't Starve is brilliantly titled. This rich and smart rogue-like defies you to explore and survive an equally cruel and alluring randomly generated world, but I suspect that the "Don't Starve" advice isn't for your character but for yourself: the game is so enticing and brilliant that those playing it will soon find themselves skipping the real life meals to continue playing.

Good, but not fantastic. It has all the necessary starting elements for a good survival game – hunting and gathering, base-building, and even a final objective – but it lacks the end-game intricacies and interests of similar titles. It is, in essence, half-finished.

A small group of hardcore gamers will revel in Don't Starve's punishing difficulty, but without a better sense of overarching progression or purpose, there are more entertaining and rewarding gaming experiences to spend your time on. I'm interested to see what Klei introduces in promised future updates of the game, but even when playing in a world that's customized to your liking, the thrill of Don't Starve is fleeting.

For its art style, deceptively dark vibe and experimental approach, Don’t Starve is certainly worth a look. But for every playthrough that leads to eye-opening adventure, there will be another that’s a bit of a tedious slog. It won’t leave you hungry, but it may not fill you up.

Don't Starve is a good game that becomes a tad too repetitive after a while. The challenge is vast and interesting, but the constant grind for resources detracts from the fun in the long run.

Survival and crafting take a turn for the brutal in this fascinating adventure.

While I appreciate the world, atmosphere, and mechanics, I can't help but wish that there was a light at the end of Don't Starve's dark and lonely tunnel.

It's a shame then, that the beginning section gets way too tedious after the first few tries and the fights are a bit bothersome. Also, the story mode needs to be implemented better, so that you don't have to literally search for it for hours on end. There's really only two ways your first contact with Don't Starve will turn out: Either you really enjoy it for a bit, just to drop it like a hot potato pretty suddenly – or you totally get absorbed in this for quite some time, looking under each and every stone, reading up on the mysteries and workings on forums and so on. As it stands, I see the majority of players in the first camp.

Don’t Starve is by no means a bad trial run for Klei’s new way of working, but it’s a pursuit for those with a wealth of patience and an appetite for pain. Klei may have modelled Hell brilliantly, but that doesn’t mean we want to live there.

An interesting stew of ideas and great presentation can’t make up for a game that goes out of its way to frustrate and discourage its players.