Don't Starve Together

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 121,589 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Don't Starve Together Game Cover
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The entire world of Don’t Starve Together has been expanded and now includes Reign of Giants content, free for everybody! New mysteries, challenges and scientific innovations await your discovery. Team up with friends and manage your resources well, because the wilderness of Don’t Starve Together has learned some new tricks.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 121,589 reviews
gameplay1,889 positive mentions
grinding644 negative mentions
  • gameplay4,711 mentions

    The gameplay of "Don't Starve Together" is characterized by its challenging survival mechanics, requiring players to manage hunger, sanity, and health while navigating a hostile environment filled with unique creatures and seasonal changes. Many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the mechanics, which often necessitate trial and error, making the learning curve steep but rewarding. The game shines in cooperative play, where teamwork and strategy enhance the experience, although newcomers may find the lack of tutorials and overwhelming mechanics frustrating at first. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay, charming art style, and continuous updates keeps players invested for hours.

    • “The gameplay loop is so addicting and the art/animation quality is remarkable.”
    • “The gameplay is superb, offering a perfect blend of strategy, resource management, and exploration.”
    • “The cooperative gameplay encourages teamwork, whether you're gathering resources, crafting, or fending off creepy creatures.”
    • “The game doesn't explain its mechanics at all, and the ones that it does are convoluted, hard to understand, and for the most part, if you want to know how to do anything, you must use a guide.”
    • “The gameplay felt frustrating and a hassle.”
    • “The mechanics are not very intuitive or logical; you will need to read the wiki to do the most basic things.”
  • graphics4,559 mentions

    The graphics of "Don't Starve Together" are widely praised for their unique, hand-drawn art style reminiscent of Tim Burton's aesthetic, which creates a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere. Players appreciate the charming visuals and character designs, noting that the graphics effectively complement the game's challenging survival mechanics. However, some critiques mention that the simplistic graphics may not appeal to everyone, and the game's difficulty can be daunting for newcomers. Overall, the art style is a significant draw for many players, enhancing the immersive experience of the game.

    • “The hand-drawn visuals are stunning, setting a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere that draws you in from the start.”
    • “The game's unique art style and dark, whimsical atmosphere set the stage for an adventure filled with danger and discovery.”
    • “The art style is visually striking, with its dark and whimsical aesthetic creating a truly atmospheric experience.”
    • “The updates feature art styles that are homogenized, inconsistent with the Don't Starve aesthetic, and devoid of beauty or sincerity.”
    • “The graphics actually always kept me away from it.”
    • “The graphics in this game are a significant letdown.”
  • story1,410 mentions

    The story aspect of "Don't Starve Together" is characterized by a mix of rich lore and character backstories, but it lacks a clear, linear narrative, which can leave players feeling disconnected from the plot. Many reviews highlight the game's dark, whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of Tim Burton's style, with intriguing elements that require exploration to uncover. While some players appreciate the depth of the lore and the ongoing updates that expand the story, others express disappointment over the absence of a structured storyline or objectives, making the gameplay feel more like a sandbox experience focused on survival rather than a cohesive narrative journey.

    • “The game also has a fascinating back story.”
    • “An extremely well done survival game with tons of mechanical depth, great world to explore, interesting story you have to look deep to see all topped off with an incredible art style.”
    • “The story is so rich and full.”
    • “There’s a disregard for significant story elements such as the sealed portal and the teleportato, neglect of long-standing bugs that modders have already fixed, and an evident focus on superficial updates that seem aimed only at maintaining the appearance of ongoing development.”
    • “The story is very dark and weird, but it's not at all important or even present in gameplay; just something you might enjoy on the side if you look it up.”
    • “For players who expect a deep story, the lack of a clear plot might be disappointing.”
  • humor1,402 mentions

    The humor in "Don't Starve Together" is a standout feature, characterized by its dark, whimsical tone and the absurdity of survival mishaps. Players frequently highlight the hilarity that ensues from chaotic multiplayer interactions, such as accidental deaths, comical character quirks, and the unpredictable nature of the game world, making it a source of endless laughter, especially when played with friends. The combination of quirky animations, witty dialogue, and the game's punishing mechanics creates a uniquely entertaining experience that balances humor with the challenges of survival.

    • “This game is absolutely hilarious played within a group, and I especially love being able to play by myself still; the community knows how to make fun mods too!”
    • “The cooperative dynamics elevate the experience, turning shared triumphs and humorous mishaps into unforgettable moments.”
    • “It's a survival game that takes a walk on the dark side, yet manages to keep things hilariously entertaining.”
    • “Sometimes funny, sometimes not funny at all.”
    • “It's not funny when it's dark outside :(”
    • “Dear developers, it is not funny or cute not to be able to pause your game; it is arrogant and poor service to your players.”
  • music1,070 mentions

    The music in "Don't Starve Together" is widely praised for its atmospheric and haunting qualities, often compared to the whimsical yet dark style of Tim Burton. Players appreciate the unique character themes and the way the soundtrack enhances the game's eerie ambiance, although some note that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of engaging sound design and a captivating soundtrack significantly contributes to the immersive experience of the game.

    • “The music is enchanting, with a slightly insane/creepy air about it; I can't describe it.”
    • “The art style and music create an immersive and atmospheric world, while the gameplay mechanics are deep and engaging.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful, gameplay is smooth if you know what you're doing.”
    • “The music gets annoying if you played it a long time or have owned it a long time.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't good, the gameplay lacks most character control and is beyond repetitive.”
    • “The music is annoying, especially since it's nearly dead quiet until combat and then the music just blows your eardrums out.”
  • grinding758 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Don't Starve Together" is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration among players. Many reviews highlight the extensive resource gathering and crafting required for survival, which can feel like a chore, especially when progress is lost due to the game's punishing mechanics. However, some players find the grind rewarding, particularly when playing with friends, as it fosters collaboration and strategic planning in a challenging environment.

    • “During my unemployed months, I grinded the hell out of this game (no, I mean I just played the game, not grinding for anything).”
    • “Surprisingly, it's not that grindy and there are many unique characters to play as.”
    • “A fun little game to play with friends, not very grindy despite it being a survival game, and there is quite a bit of content to keep you busy.”
    • “The game is extremely tedious and honestly infuriating.”
    • “It's not anything hard or engaging, it's just tedious and boring.”
    • “The grinding part is simply boring.”
  • replayability649 mentions

    The game "Don't Starve Together" is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, attributed to its procedurally generated worlds, diverse character abilities, and continuous updates. Players enjoy the unique experiences each session offers, with many noting that the game remains engaging even after extensive playtime due to its depth and the variety of gameplay styles. The active modding community further enhances replayability, allowing for endless customization and new challenges.

    • “The game's replayability is excellent, with procedurally generated worlds and constant updates keeping it fresh.”
    • “The sheer amount of replayability in the differing characters and their playstyles combined with world generation is simply amazing.”
    • “Its charming visuals, deep mechanics, and endless replayability make it a perfect storm of frustration and fun, best enjoyed with a group of friends willing to laugh (and maybe cry) together as you navigate the madness of this quirky wilderness.”
    • “The content of the game is tiny and isn't frequently updated enough to justify its current size and therefore, it has very small replay value.”
    • “I do enjoy this game with my girlfriend, but ultimately I fear the steep learning curve is the only positive hook - once you start to understand the game's strong limitations and ways to solve the puzzle you'll realize it has limited replayability and not necessarily worth the money invested.”
    • “The only real replay value in this game is if you decide you want to try to survive with a different character, which will require some slight tweaking on how you approach surviving but not by extremely too much unless you're the mime guy who basically dies to everything.”
  • atmosphere406 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Don't Starve Together" is widely praised for its unique hand-drawn, Tim Burton-esque art style that creates a whimsical yet eerie environment. Players appreciate the game's rich sound design and atmospheric soundtrack, which enhance the sense of danger and mystery as they navigate a dark, unpredictable world filled with quirky characters and grotesque creatures. While some find the atmosphere captivating and immersive, others note that the cooperative gameplay can dilute the solitary tension that contributes to the game's overall mood.

    • “The hand-drawn visuals are stunning, setting a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere that draws you in from the start.”
    • “The game's unique art style and dark, whimsical atmosphere set the stage for an adventure filled with danger and discovery.”
    • “The hand-drawn, Tim Burton-inspired visuals create a beautifully eerie atmosphere, immersing players in the game's world.”
    • “The hand-drawn animations give it a quirky, yet unsettling atmosphere that makes the world feel alive and unpredictable.”
    • “The game's unique art style and haunting soundtrack create an eerie atmosphere that will keep you on edge as you navigate through the game's various challenges.”
    • “The graphics are bright and colorful, but at the same time they create an atmosphere of horror and hopelessness.”
  • stability183 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that can significantly impact gameplay, especially in multiplayer modes. While some users experience smooth performance on various systems, including Linux and Steam Deck, others face crashes, freezes, and control issues, particularly when using mods or during online play. Overall, while the game has potential and is enjoyable, its stability issues remain a notable concern for many players.

    • “Runs great on almost all PCs.”
    • “The game runs great and is not buggy.”
    • “There are almost no glitches and bugs, as the staff at Klei work pretty diligently to keep them patched.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess and lacks obvious quality of life features.”
    • “Players will constantly encounter crashes, freezes, and other problems that make it almost impossible to play the game.”
    • “As of its current state, this game is still a buggy mess and very little progress has been made since the first day it was made available on early access.”
  • emotional122 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming and heartbreaking experiences, with many players expressing feelings of joy, sadness, and a sense of community. Users frequently mention crying during gameplay, whether from frustration, loss, or the game's wholesome interactions, highlighting its ability to evoke deep emotional responses. Overall, the game fosters a supportive environment that encourages cooperation, making it both a challenging and emotionally rewarding experience.

    • “This game made me cry.”
    • “You made me feel safety, security, and hope in a world full of horrors, starvation, insanity, and dread.”
    • “This game has made me feel things no other game can.”
    • “I cried.”
    • “It can be physically and emotionally painful.”
  • monetization120 mentions

    The monetization model in this game features a significant number of microtransactions, primarily for cosmetic items and additional characters, which do not impact gameplay. While many players appreciate the ability to earn some items for free through daily drops, there are concerns about the overall prevalence of microtransactions and the potential for them to feel predatory. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the fairness of the system while others criticize it as a cash grab.

    • “I was able to get two characters for free just from daily drops, so I can't say it's got unfair monetization.”
    • “The monetization is fair, and the art style is super charming.”
    • “The game is still receiving regular updates and the only microtransactions are for cosmetics and additional characters.”
    • “The monetization isn't very greedy or prevalent, but there is a lot of it, though it's mostly cosmetic.”
    • “It seems that this is simply a landing page for microtransactions.”
    • “While the main game itself is good, I cannot recommend it with the tacked-on monetization schemes.”
  • optimization101 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players praising its ability to run smoothly on low-end systems and its minimalist graphics that enhance performance. However, significant issues persist, particularly in multiplayer settings, where lag and connectivity problems can severely impact gameplay. While some users report a well-optimized experience, others highlight frequent crashes and performance drops, especially when using mods or during intense gameplay scenarios.

    • “The minimalist graphics are purposeful, enhancing the game’s mood and ensuring smooth performance on a range of PCs.”
    • “It's pretty well-optimized to run on my somewhat decent laptop; I love the sound design, and the cohesive art style looks so good.”
    • “The game has been very well optimized for cooperative gameplay.”
    • “This leads to horrible performance issues and network delay no matter what computer you have.”
    • “The performance is absolutely appalling.”
    • “The online multiplayer optimization is very bad.”
  • character development71 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its charming and intricate character designs, which are complemented by deep lore and engaging dialogue. Players appreciate how each character's design reflects their backstory and abilities, enhancing the overall experience and contributing to the game's unique atmosphere. The attention to detail in character and environmental design, along with ongoing updates, keeps players invested and excited about the evolving narrative and gameplay.

    • “Klei does an excellent job at world building, character development, and horror aspects of the game.”
    • “The character design is amazing; you can play as characters such as a lumberjack who eats wood to not become a beaver, a woman who gains sanity from burning everything, and an opera singer who is so into the part that she refuses to eat anything other than meat, just to be a true Viking.”
    • “The fan theories, fan art, fan fiction, and other fan creations are thriving and marvelous, made possible by the very appealing character designs, backstory hints, and unique game concept.”
    • “I've always believed character design should match their background - so Wendy, a pitiful girl who lost her family, is now a grave robber who wears shrouds all day, is that right?”
    • “Character design is bad too, looks like my little sister's drawings.”
    • “It has such a generic art style and an even worse generic monotonously boring gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

73hMedian play time
197hAverage play time
10-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 356 analyzed playthroughs

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