Kenshi

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 278 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 233 out of 278
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 278
  3. Negative: 27 out of 278

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  1. Pietia
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    I recently noticed some Kenshi game-play, downloaded demo and found it very addictive. I bought the game at full price via Steam and i am happy with this purchase, except last few nights I send playing this highly addictive game.
    How would I describe it?
    Fallout 1/2 mixed with Mount&Blade (minus FPS/slasher). No other RPG game allows you to do ANYTHING in the game, like looting,    I recently noticed some Kenshi game-play, downloaded demo and found it very addictive. I bought the game at full price via Steam and i am happy with this purchase, except last few nights I send playing this highly addictive game.
    How would I describe it?
    Fallout 1/2 mixed with Mount&Blade (minus FPS/slasher).
    No other RPG game allows you to do ANYTHING in the game, like looting, enslaving and pillaging...    … Expand
  2. marcuss2
    May 19, 2013
    10
    Its not best 10 bucks ever spend (best was Minecraft), but this GAME got AMAZING potential. I check every day for new updates. Now I see time when I will pickpocket town guards.
  3. adrenilinmatt
    Apr 16, 2020
    10
    best RPG sandbox game ever made, and well worth the asking price. theres a reason this is one of steams highest rated games.
  4. BlackWidow
    Jul 9, 2020
    10
    Kenshi by Lo-Fi Games took 12 years to make, and most of it was done by just one man, Chris Hunt. As many games, I had this on my wish list for a while. And then, it went on sale, and I nabbed it. Best money I ever spent. It's an incredible game. Ok, Pros and Cons...

    PROS Open- End Free Roaming world. Do what you want. Be what you want. Very In-depth character creation. Huge world,    Kenshi by Lo-Fi Games took 12 years to make, and most of it was done by just one man, Chris Hunt. As many games, I had this on my wish list for a while. And then, it went on sale, and I nabbed it. Best money I ever spent. It's an incredible game. Ok, Pros and Cons...

    PROS

    Open- End Free Roaming world. Do what you want. Be what you want.
    Very In-depth character creation.
    Huge world, with full weather, day/night cycle and storms.
    Nice graphics.
    Nearly bug free.
    Thousands of choices to make.
    No two games are alike. It's an ever changing world.
    Beautiful scenery and eye candy.
    Unique leveling and drop system.
    You can easily dump 1000 + hrs into this.

    CONS

    Random freezing when exiting through main menu.
    Very unforgiving, but that's what makes the game great.

    The game is just wickedly cool. Mr. Hunt and some people are already working on Kenshi 2. I for one can't wait to play it. Any ways... for those with any doubts about Kenshi, just try it. I give this flawless diamond a perfect 10 without a second thought. Just awesome. Thanks Chris!    … Expand
  5. omranooo
    Mar 28, 2019
    10
    It took a long time, but its here, the cluster-mess known as Kenshi, i don't know what kind of Genre this game belongs to, but it got me addicted, watching my characters slowly rise in power, Losing their battles made them stronger, eventually they got captured and turned into slaves, then they escaped to join the Anti-slavers and destroyed slavery, now the economy is broken since theIt took a long time, but its here, the cluster-mess known as Kenshi, i don't know what kind of Genre this game belongs to, but it got me addicted, watching my characters slowly rise in power, Losing their battles made them stronger, eventually they got captured and turned into slaves, then they escaped to join the Anti-slavers and destroyed slavery, now the economy is broken since the slaves aren't collecting the raw materials, but man, its really fun to watch it happen.… Expand
  6. FearAndLoathing
    Dec 12, 2018
    10
    Absolutely love this game and would strongly recommend. It instantly feels like a classic game for me with a strong community, good mods, and incredible gameplay. Hard to compare other games to because there are so few games that do what this does so well, but it has a Fallout meets Rimworld sort of feel to it.

    Extremely open ended, but the world can be a tough master - it won't    Absolutely love this game and would strongly recommend. It instantly feels like a classic game for me with a strong community, good mods, and incredible gameplay. Hard to compare other games to because there are so few games that do what this does so well, but it has a Fallout meets Rimworld sort of feel to it.

    Extremely open ended, but the world can be a tough master - it won't necessarily force your play style but will force you to make hard decisions or punish you for rushing. For instance, if you want to strike out on your own and empire build, you may need to grind a bit and/or recruit a ton before you can adequately defend the settlement in a more lawless region. If you want to live in a safe region, like the Holy Lands, you have to follow the rules (meaning you can't recruit non-humans or females without risk of bringing unholy hell upon your people). And generally speaking, it seems as though if you are in a more "controlled" portion of the map, your settlement will have to pay taxes. A lot of them. Unless you want to fight the very people you hope to trade with or receive protection from.

    It is rough around the edges, in the same way Mount and Blade was rough around the edges. It has crashed occasionally for me, and it can slow down on my computer when I'm all over the map or have been running it a ton. But it also has that same inexorable pull; an incredible open-ended experience that was clearly a product of a lot of time and love. It will punish your schedule and force you into sick days. It will force you to start over.    … Expand
  7. CrazyViking
    Oct 7, 2021
    10
    In this game you actually start as a nobody, and the game does well in demonstrating that. It also doesn't hold your hand and lets you do absolutely anything you want. Want to take over countries? You can. Want to create a drug smuggling empire? Do it. Want to wear the skin of your enemies as you genocide the entire continent? Yup. Want to run a peaceful (as possible) resupply outpost forIn this game you actually start as a nobody, and the game does well in demonstrating that. It also doesn't hold your hand and lets you do absolutely anything you want. Want to take over countries? You can. Want to create a drug smuggling empire? Do it. Want to wear the skin of your enemies as you genocide the entire continent? Yup. Want to run a peaceful (as possible) resupply outpost for other travelers? Also possible.… Expand
  8. Deathhood98
    Oct 1, 2013
    10
    This was one of the best games i have played in a long time currently being worked on by several devs it was designed by one guy till recently. Updates are steady and updates do not contain many bugs, sound is being worked on along with females, clothing, and other game play features. You can create a town, a army, and more. You can be a bandit, established faction leader, Mayor, or just aThis was one of the best games i have played in a long time currently being worked on by several devs it was designed by one guy till recently. Updates are steady and updates do not contain many bugs, sound is being worked on along with females, clothing, and other game play features. You can create a town, a army, and more. You can be a bandit, established faction leader, Mayor, or just a simple merchant… Expand
  9. edmund84
    Nov 28, 2013
    10
    When I first saw this game, thought it was gonna be a M&B: Warband clone, only in a Asian setting, and that sounded great. But what this game is, is so much more, or at least potentially.

    You create a character in a post apocalyptic fuadal japan-ish world, and from there your on your own. You can be a merchant, thieve, docter, shop owner, start your own town/outpost, craft your own    When I first saw this game, thought it was gonna be a M&B: Warband clone, only in a Asian setting, and that sounded great. But what this game is, is so much more, or at least potentially.

    You create a character in a post apocalyptic fuadal japan-ish world, and from there your on your own. You can be a merchant, thieve, docter, shop owner, start your own town/outpost, craft your own weapons and armor, build different kind of fuctional buildings, research technology to build/craft even better stuff. You can train in fighting, recruit an army of any size, and control and train each person individually. Well you get the idea...

    At first the game had sub-par GFX and no sound, but bear in mind it was still in Alpha (and still is), the graphics keep inproving immensely, and there is sound now. On top of that new major features keep being added every couple of months.

    In its current state (29/11/2013) the game is allready very enjoyable, so buy it now while i'ts still in it's Alpha pricing $20.    … Expand
  10. fallendemon
    Jan 4, 2019
    10
    I haven't had this much fun in a long time. I been literally playing none stop for days a time!!!

    Huge fan of fall and elder scrolls. This fits my bill :). I now wish they would expand the lore a little bit behind the history of the place etc...
  11. jagermeister
    May 2, 2023
    10
    Best RPG SandBox game.......CrabCrabCrabCrabCrabCrabCrabCrabCrabCrab!!!!!!!!!
  12. aradapilot
    Apr 4, 2016
    10
    An ambitious project, finally in beta. Been playing it since 2013, and watching it grow. Brilliant, unique, varied gameplay. I look forward to every little update.
  13. dukstuf
    Aug 17, 2014
    10
    Refreshingly creative concept that does not restrain the player in any way from doing whatever he likes. If you like freedom to act, true choice and a massive sandbox to play in, this will fill the bill. The looks of the game are the most unfinished part- the combat itself is handled realistically and wounds/damage to characters plays out great. Generally when you lose, you are left maimedRefreshingly creative concept that does not restrain the player in any way from doing whatever he likes. If you like freedom to act, true choice and a massive sandbox to play in, this will fill the bill. The looks of the game are the most unfinished part- the combat itself is handled realistically and wounds/damage to characters plays out great. Generally when you lose, you are left maimed and broken, but fixable with time and the help of an ally. The game requires patience, strategy, tactical thought and the brains to run away when you need to. I like this lots.… Expand
  14. chleba
    Apr 22, 2019
    10
    Absolutely amazing sandbox RPG game. It just get's me and holds me nonstop two weeks. I was unable sleep, work and think to anything else then Kenshi. I was became warlord with my squad of robotics ninjas and with them and LOT of training time I was able to wipe out whole nation of Paladins.
    Later they became legends cause of their adventure to slain 1000.years old and still living    Absolutely amazing sandbox RPG game. It just get's me and holds me nonstop two weeks. I was unable sleep, work and think to anything else then Kenshi. I was became warlord with my squad of robotics ninjas and with them and LOT of training time I was able to wipe out whole nation of Paladins.
    Later they became legends cause of their adventure to slain 1000.years old and still living Emperors of ancient Nation. How will you play this game is just your choice. Peaceful trader? Alone Adventurer? Powerful warlord? Mayor of your own town ? Or just create your own adventure with game editor and share it with others.
    So what do you waiting for ? Go play it !    … Expand
  15. IblisBane
    Aug 1, 2019
    10
    Possibly one of the best sandbox games ever made. It's ugly, it's janky, it's resource heavy. It's a world simulator that cares so little about you that, if you die, the world just keeps on running without you.

    I've only been playing for a few weeks, but probably have well over 100 hours in it already. If you need direction, if you want quests, scripted behaviours, achievements and    Possibly one of the best sandbox games ever made. It's ugly, it's janky, it's resource heavy. It's a world simulator that cares so little about you that, if you die, the world just keeps on running without you.

    I've only been playing for a few weeks, but probably have well over 100 hours in it already.

    If you need direction, if you want quests, scripted behaviours, achievements and recognition, this is not for you. If you relish the freedom of a true sandbox, then check this out. (Also, the sequel is now in development.)

    As an added bonus, a very strong modding community lets you customise the base experience to tweak pretty much anything you want.    … Expand
  16. Kunray
    Oct 6, 2022
    10
    I'll cut to the chase- If you want a game with great charm and personality, this is the one for you.It's great.
  17. MaikWayne
    Jan 3, 2019
    10
    I like it very much! This is monster game! Congratulations to authors! Many playstyles..
  18. So-Un
    Jan 7, 2019
    10
    The potential of the game is huge, and the developer has done a great job alone. Respect the guy.
  19. teamfinnigan
    Jan 7, 2019
    10
    I have been waiting a long, long time for a sandbox game like this! This is one of the most addicting games I have played in a long time! This is a game without quests, its a world you decide how your going to fit into it. I love it and hope they keep adding content to it!
  20. JesseFrickman
    Mar 10, 2019
    10
    one of the best games i have ever played, now that its released the bugs are very few and its very moddable, you will never run out of content and you can do whatever you want, a true rpg game
  21. FARRAGUT
    Feb 3, 2019
    10
    This is the best game in my last 7 years.
    Each action brings great pleasure!
    Huge beautiful living open world and you are part of it!
  22. Kameesabee
    Mar 22, 2019
    10
    Excellent game. Played it for over 200 hours. The amount of options and strategies to do the things you want to do are staggering. From creating a settlement in the swamps, to training one character to be super strong, it is very satisfying.
  23. ConvictsCranium
    Apr 2, 2019
    10
    Kenshi is a masterpiece and is one of a kind, do not miss out. This game ticked so many boxes for gameplay mechanics that other games couldn't and revealed some mechanics I never knew I wanted. The progression is perfect. Kenshi won't hold your hand but it showers you in rewards you when you reach your goals. I am about 120 hours in on my first playthrough since 1.0 and have barelyKenshi is a masterpiece and is one of a kind, do not miss out. This game ticked so many boxes for gameplay mechanics that other games couldn't and revealed some mechanics I never knew I wanted. The progression is perfect. Kenshi won't hold your hand but it showers you in rewards you when you reach your goals. I am about 120 hours in on my first playthrough since 1.0 and have barely explored 30% of the map and still have so many more goals for my ever-growing faction.… Expand
  24. SadYokai
    May 17, 2019
    10
    Even if the wayfinding is bad and it can be a buggy/glitchy mess i love this game.
    In fact it might just be my new fav game ever and it took over 10 years for a game to even compete with gothic (original)
    Its addictive and hard work it's pain but i'm a masochist.
  25. GrumpySarcasm
    Jun 20, 2023
    10
    This is a masterpiece of a sandbox RPG. It is the kind of game that is very punishing at first, but as you learn how it works you will become more and more powerful. This game has some technical shortcomings such as inconsistent terrain-mesh and loading, but these are not enough to truly detract from the experience. Also mod support is a big plus for a game that is already very replayable.
  26. R4bisco
    May 12, 2023
    10
    This game is amazing. The only other game that get's close to Kenshi is Rimworld.
    It is funny how you start travelling with a goal in mind and so many things started happening that it changes your adventure entirely. For me is clearly one of the best Strategy Colony Sim in the market.
  27. PrincessSparkle
    Oct 4, 2019
    10
    Hidden gem... It's kind of like fallout meets feudal Japan... If fallout weren't a decrepit husk being raked over the coals by Bethesda and feudal Japan took place on a moon. 10/10 will continue playing until my wife leaves me.
  28. NostalgicPoem
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    Your view of Kenshi is paramountly influenced by your drive and creativity; this can be to it's detriment at times. However where Kenshi succeeds is in creating a believable world, which is incredibly complex; one will initially oblivious to this. This is positively influenced by it's mod friendly nature. The game can function as any other does, with somewhat liner progression, howeverYour view of Kenshi is paramountly influenced by your drive and creativity; this can be to it's detriment at times. However where Kenshi succeeds is in creating a believable world, which is incredibly complex; one will initially oblivious to this. This is positively influenced by it's mod friendly nature. The game can function as any other does, with somewhat liner progression, however this can become monotonous quickly. Kenshi encourages you to avoid any metas you learn, and experience each world independently. Truly immerse yourself, and Kenshi will back you back in kind. --- Having base building, being able to completely automate a functioning settlement, made literally anywhere in the game world, is something which you'll miss from other games in the future. Having a somewhat dynamic economy and political system, and being able to create armies yourself. Kenshi is a true sandbox, open-ended game, which everyone should experience, if not for what it offers, for reference when playing other games for contrast of how to do things right.… Expand
  29. Cugitay
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    Beep is love beep is life...
    I started 2 weeks ago and this game is my favorite now muahh
  30. LocalDovakhin
    Jun 30, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this cruel game reveals all your sadistic inclinations ... Severed limbs, acid lakes, samovars with hive's prostheses seem like children’s games compared to peeling
    10/10 by the way    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best PC Game of 2011
64
#64 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
70
#70 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 25, 2019
    50
    It took Chris Hunt and his small team 12 years to develop Kenshi and that unfortunately shows. The game utilizes an archaic engine, is poorly optimised and hideous most of the time. It also does next to nothing to help the player get a grasp of its mechanics, and, as it happens, their complexity are Kenshi’s most important aspect. I would be happy to love this game, because I understand and applaud Hunt’s idea of completely open gameplay, but loving Kenshi is extremely hard. [02/2019, p.47]
  2. Games.cz
    Feb 25, 2019
    80
    Do not trust your first impression - this game is a true gem. Elaborate, huge, unbridled, stylish, fresh, captivatingly different. The only blemish is its poor performance and many bugs.
    Read full review
  3. GameGrin
    Jan 14, 2019
    75
    An intriguing RPG/Survival hybrid sandbox that invites you to experiment in the world it presents. Some technical hiccups interrupt the open world and the freeform nature definitely isn’t for everyone but if you are after something different, Kenshi is the very definition of that.
    Read full review
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