Dinkum
- July 14, 2022
- James Bendon
- 29h median play time
Get on Steam"Dinkum" is a sandbox life simulation game set in a rural Australian town. Players must gather resources, grow crops, and manage their town while dealing with the quirks of the wild animals and unpredictable weather. Build and customize your home, make friends with the locals, and uncover mysteries as you experience the laid-back charm of Dinkum.
PC
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- grinding1,115 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The reviews for "grinding" in the game highlight a mixed reception, with many players noting that while the game offers a rich blend of activities like farming, mining, and crafting, it often feels excessively grindy and tedious. Players appreciate the depth and variety of gameplay but express frustration over slow progression, particularly in farming, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy grinding as part of their gaming experience, but it may not appeal to everyone due to its repetitive nature and time-consuming tasks.
“The developers have found a sweet spot where it's not too grindy but plenty of fun tasks to complete to move slowly forward.”
“Very slow to progress, so playing with friends is recommended, but playing alone isn't too grindy.”
“Good feeling of progression and not too grindy!”
“I would say this game is an incredibly slow start and requires a lot of grinding to get where you want.”
“The process of building a town is a prolonged one, even by the standards of crafting games, and becomes a tedious game of repetition with no real reward but those the player concocts for themselves.”
“Farming is cumbersome early on.”
- gameplay864 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dinkum" is characterized by a blend of familiar mechanics from popular titles like "Animal Crossing" and "Stardew Valley," offering a casual yet engaging experience that includes farming, crafting, and exploration. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and the variety of activities available, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. While the game is still in early access and has room for improvement, particularly in tutorialization and balancing, it has garnered praise for its charming aesthetics and the depth of its mechanics, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
“The gameplay is enjoyable and the animations are crisp.”
“Dinkum has one of the best skill progression difficulty scales in any sim-type game I've played - the tools/weapons you unlock really do make a difference in gameplay and ease while being difficult enough to achieve to make it a very satisfying experience.”
“The blend of relaxing gameplay, captivating aesthetics, and the promise of future updates makes Dinkum a must-play for fans of life simulation games.”
“It's not fun, it's very grindy, it's boring, the gameplay mechanics suck (the weapons breaking constantly etc.) the map is empty and bland, the graphics are lazy and ugly (looks like Dreamcast graphics with a sharpening filter) and the colors (I know it's supposed to represent Australia) are really reaaaaallllyyy ugly, depressing and hurt my eyes (that yellow and orange mixed with the green of vegetation is horrendous).”
“The gameplay can get repetitive, so I would recommend playing subjectively and then continue again a different day!”
“The characters are all boring and lifeless, every single mechanic in the game is way too simplistic, it's somehow even more grindy than the rest, the map looks cool at the beginning but a short walk shows how empty it is despite being so large, time never runs out, and the energy system doesn't feel balanced.”
- story530 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 84 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in "Dinkum" is generally perceived as simple and lacking depth, primarily serving as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a central focus. Players engage in daily quests and interactions with NPCs, which can feel repetitive and often do not significantly enhance character relationships. While the game offers a charming setting inspired by the Australian outback, many reviewers express a desire for more narrative complexity and character development to enrich the overall experience.
“Dinkum is a delightful game that combines the coziness of life simulators with unique mechanics and an engaging storyline.”
“The quests and side missions are well-crafted, immersing players in intriguing subplots that add depth to the overarching story.”
“Gaining reputation with the various villagers and doing quests doesn’t give any extra depth to them or your relationship to them, instead just granting an item.”
“The story is as simple as they come, but what you are able to do is truly impressive for a game that is made by one person.”
“There's not a lot of depth when it comes to NPCs and story.”
- graphics483 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the charming art style and vibrant colors reminiscent of titles like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. While some find the visuals cute and engaging, others criticize them as simplistic or lacking polish, with specific complaints about color choices and performance issues. Overall, the graphics contribute to a cozy and inviting atmosphere, appealing to fans of life simulation games, despite some reservations about their execution.
“The graphics, animations, sounds, multiplayer, and overall visuals and game-feel are good, though - but the balancing and design decisions are just weird.”
“The graphics are beautiful with morning sunlight and evening sunsets.”
“The graphics are cute, the idea is interesting.”
“It's not fun, it's very grindy, it's boring, the gameplay mechanics suck (the weapons breaking constantly etc.) the map is empty and bland, the graphics are lazy and ugly (looks like Dreamcast graphics with a sharpening filter) and the colors (I know it's supposed to represent Australia) are really really ugly, depressing and hurt my eyes (that yellow and orange mixed with the green of vegetation is horrendous).”
“The graphics are awful even for an indie game and it has possibly the worst in-game music I have ever heard.”
“The graphics are a bit lackluster... they're cute and all but I would love it if they were a bit cleaner.”
- music190 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its relaxing and soothing qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. However, some users noted a lack of variety and continuity in the soundtrack, leading to moments of silence that can feel empty. Overall, while the music is generally well-liked for its calming effect, there are calls for a more extensive and diverse soundtrack to improve the experience further.
“The music is so relaxing, I can play by myself or online with friends.”
“The enchanting soundtrack perfectly complements each scene, evoking a range of emotions from wonder and excitement to tension and melancholy.”
“The music is perfect in the background and I actually turned off my Spotify to give it a listen.”
“The music is terrible.”
“There isn't much in the way of music, so you can easily bring up a music app like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, etc., kick back, and relax while playing Dinkum.”
“The game music also doesn't really loop much, going into long stretches of time with no sound.”
- stability134 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting minor glitches and bugs typical of early access titles, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users have experienced significant issues like freezing and NPC pathfinding problems, others found the game to run smoothly with few disruptions. Despite the occasional hiccup, many players appreciate the game's charm and potential, indicating that the stability issues do not severely detract from the overall experience.
“Considering it's early access, the game is super polished and looks amazing and runs great. It's very well thought out-- I was very impressed with all the animations and the way that things feel-- for example, rowing the boat, driving the motorcycle, diving, and fishing are very satisfying and have really good game-feel.”
“It is still currently under development but it is amazingly bug-free at this point.”
“For me, everything has been smooth - no glitches, and it feels very solid and surprisingly polished for early access.”
“Still some glitches in multiplayer (not able to interact with items, battling music does not stop even after annihilating them).”
“In the not so great however, various glitches / bugs are inconvenient at best (camera lag, cooking on fire/bbq lag, unable to check mail) or extremely frustrating (game crashing, fish disappearing, friends going invisible when in co-op).”
“Shows a lot of promise and has a nice art style, but in its current state, it is not playable, due to a large number of freezes/crashing.”
- humor83 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Dinkum is widely praised for its charm and quirkiness, with players enjoying the likable NPCs, funny dialogue, and amusing situations that arise during gameplay. The use of Australian slang adds an extra layer of humor, making it particularly entertaining for local players while still being accessible to others. Overall, the game is described as a relaxing and fun experience filled with lighthearted moments and comedic elements that keep players engaged and laughing.
“The game's vibrant art style and colorful environments will immediately catch your eye, while the cheeky humor and Aussie lingo create an authentic and immersive atmosphere.”
“I love the little bits of humor here and there, especially in the descriptions of certain items.”
“The characters and their dialogue are interesting and funny as well.”
- optimization80 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant frame drops, stuttering, and performance issues even on high-end systems. While some users report smooth gameplay and minimal bugs, a common sentiment is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance performance and resource management. As it is still in early access, players are hopeful for future updates to address these concerns.
“The game runs smoothly, without any noticeable bugs or glitches that could detract from the experience.”
“At the time of review, this is a charming game with an excellent art style and surprisingly good optimization for an early access game.”
“Graphics are pretty good, and I'm getting about 130 fps average with an RX 6600 & R5 3600, extremely good performance for an early access game.”
“A huge con of mine is that the game is poorly optimized, so my computer gets very hot and my fans work overtime.”
“I really love this game, but I am having huge frame drops and stuttering. I have a high-end PC (Ryzen 7, 3080 Ti), so I think it could be a very bad optimization issue. If the game could get an optimization fix, it would be great; for now, I can't give a positive review because the game is unplayable.”
“Performance on many lower-end systems, even when comfortably above the minimum specs, has serious performance issues, and the game is not that visually demanding. Some serious optimization needs to be made.”
- emotional64 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game "Dinkum" is predominantly described as wholesome and heartwarming, with players expressing a strong emotional investment in the well-developed characters and their journeys. Many reviewers highlight the game's relaxing nature and cozy atmosphere, which provide a comforting escape from daily life, while some also note moments of guilt and nostalgia that add depth to the experience. Overall, "Dinkum" is celebrated for its ability to evoke positive feelings and foster connections, making it a beloved choice for fans of life-simulation games.
“The dialogue is excellently written, further enhancing the emotional connection to the game's world and its inhabitants.”
“It's heartwarming and charming, and I found myself getting lost in the stories and the characters.”
“The magpie song almost made me cry.”
- atmosphere48 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its cozy, relaxing, and immersive qualities, enhanced by a charming Australian-inspired setting and vibrant art style. Players appreciate the soothing soundtrack and ambient sounds that contribute to a tranquil experience, making it an ideal game for stress-free exploration and creativity. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and inviting, with a strong sense of community and ongoing development that keeps players engaged.
“Charming art style, pleasant atmosphere, and great polish for a one-man development team.”
“With its simplistic art style and warm color palette, the game's visuals are visually pleasing, while the sound design featuring ambient sounds and a gentle soundtrack enhances its peaceful atmosphere.”
“The game's vibrant art style and colorful environments will immediately catch your eye, while the cheeky humor and Aussie lingo create an authentic and immersive atmosphere.”
“I love the environment but would love to see more diversity in the atmosphere.”
“The game atmosphere is so calming (unless you go into that underground dungeon & hunting-mode).”
“This game has a very chill atmosphere (being hunted by crocs and sharks are exceptions) and this has totally become a chill-out game for me to pass the time and relax; plus the lack of hard goals makes it easier to go at your own pace and not feel like you're neglecting things.”
- replayability21 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability across different games. While some players find certain titles, like those with constantly updated content and randomly generated maps, to have high replay value, others criticize games like Dinkum for their linear progression and limited long-term engagement. The consensus suggests that replayability can be significantly enhanced through updates, mods, and varied gameplay mechanics, but many games still struggle to maintain player interest over time.
“The game feels highly replayable even at this stage, although less so as the number of new kinds of collectibles slowly diminish.”
“It's a game with good replayability as the developers are always updating the game.”
“More open, and randomly generated maps add way more replayability; it's not just about selecting which farm you want, but experiencing different landscapes each time.”
“Despite its enjoyable gameplay mechanics, Dinkum may lack long-term replay value due to its linear progression and relatively short playtime.”
“At this point, with the current mechanics, I don't see much replayability potential.”
“There's far too many bugs, not enough replayability, and not to mention the horrible combat which for some reason is part of the game.”
- monetization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for imposing significant in-game fees that hinder progress, leading many to perceive it as a cash grab rather than a genuine effort. While some players appreciate the ongoing updates and community engagement from the developer, the overall sentiment suggests that the game's financial model detracts from the enjoyment and exploration experience. Comparisons to successful titles like Stardew Valley highlight the shortcomings in this game's approach to monetization.
“The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't rely heavily on microtransactions, allowing players to progress without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the monetization system is transparent and provides value for the purchases, making it feel rewarding rather than exploitative.”
“The in-game economy is well-balanced, ensuring that players can earn currency through gameplay without excessive grinding or spending.”
“Everything is gated behind huge in-game fees (not microtransactions - so that's a plus) that take a long time to achieve.”
“Makes the game seem more like a cash grab than a passion project.”
“You just have an overwhelming feeling of dread that prevents you from exploring this hollow husk of what could be a great game but instead all you have is a copy and paste cash grab that makes you feel like a chump for buying into it.”
- character development8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the charming character designs and unique personalities of the town members. However, many reviewers feel that the narrative could benefit from deeper storytelling and more substantial character growth, particularly as players build friendships. Overall, while the character designs are cute and engaging, there is a consensus that additional development could enhance emotional resonance and depth.
“Additional character development and storytelling elements could enrich the overall narrative experience, adding depth and emotional resonance.”
“One last note on dialogue: I would like to have some sort of character development as you raise friendship levels.”
“I really like the character design and the detail put into making different personalities for town members.”
