DUCKSIDE

About

DUCKSIDE is a multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by tinyBuild Riga and was released on September 25, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

This game is a work in progress. It may or may not change over time or release as a final product. Purchase only if you are comfortable with the current state of the unfinished game. Welcome to DUCKSIDE, a persistent world survival game with PVP, PVE, crafting, base building, and hat-wearing ducks, wielding weapons in a vast and hostile open world. Take flight across a vast island filled with d…

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75%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,384 reviews

gameplay29 positive mentions

optimization4 negative mentions

Duckside offers a unique and humorous twist on the survival genre, allowing players to experience resource gathering and combat as a duck, which adds a fun and lighthearted element.
The flying mechanics provide a refreshing change to gameplay, allowing for dynamic movement and strategic advantages during combat and exploration.
The game has a vibrant art style and engaging gameplay loop, making it enjoyable for both solo and multiplayer experiences, especially when played with friends.

The player base can be toxic, with many players engaging in griefing and harassment, making it difficult for new players to enjoy the game.
The game suffers from optimization issues and bugs, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, including crashes and performance drops.
The lack of consistent updates and the presence of cheaters can detract from the overall enjoyment, leading some players to feel that the game is not worth the investment.

gameplay
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
The gameplay of "Duckside" combines traditional open-world survival mechanics with a unique flying feature, creating a blend of absurdity and engaging combat. Players appreciate the smooth controls and the fun of aerial dogfights, though some criticize the game's balance and the presence of toxic players. While the core mechanics are solid and enjoyable, there are calls for improvements in crafting systems and overall polish as the game continues to evolve in early access.
- “The premise is ridiculous by design, and it immediately sets the tone for the kind of experience the developers aimed to deliver: a world that takes the harsh mechanics of survival games and filters them through playful parody.”
- “The flying mechanic is a game-changer, creating a significant skill gap among players.”
- “It blends familiar mechanics with innovative features, creating a game that feels fresh and engaging.”
- “Guns and gear are scattered across the map, but progression feels gated by RNG and awkward mechanics.”
- “The whole game is just Rust with ducks, which wouldn't be a problem if not basically 90% of game mechanics wouldn't be imported from Rust, but worse.”
- “I know it's early access but the 'tutorials' are links to 2 YouTube videos where the footage is from an earlier version of the game and the videos don't cover several basic aspects of gameplay that resulted in all my base building to go to waste.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Duckside is praised for its absurd and self-aware humor, with players enjoying the chaotic and hilarious premise of ducks engaging in survival combat. The game's quirky animations, sound effects, and the sheer ridiculousness of its concept contribute to a fun experience, though some find the humor can wear thin over time. Overall, it stands out in the survival genre as a lighthearted and entertaining alternative, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and community behavior.
- “Duckside, developed by tinybuild riga and published by tinybuild, is a survival game that takes one of the most overused genres in modern gaming and injects it with absurd, self-aware humor.”
- “The humor doesn’t come from jokes or dialogue but from the sheer absurdity of the premise executed with surprising sincerity.”
- “In short: it’s fun, chaotic, and hilarious.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
30%
11%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their vibrant, stylized visuals and cartoonish charm, creating an inviting atmosphere that enhances exploration. However, some players report performance issues, particularly during flight, and recommend adjusting graphics settings for better optimization. Overall, while the aesthetic is well-received, concerns about lag and optimization persist, especially for those with lower-end hardware.
- “From the moment you enter its vibrant world, you’re greeted with stunning visuals and a whimsical atmosphere that instantly draws you in.”
- “Visually, Duckside is stunning, boasting a vibrant and inviting art style that makes exploration feel rewarding.”
- “The graphics are vibrant, with a cartoonish charm that reminds me of Fortnite.”
- “But this game is not well optimized at the moment, so consider not buying the game if your graphics card is bad.”
- “Insanely boring game, bad graphics look really depressing. Performance is not that good on a 4070 Super and i5 13600K, sometimes around 50 FPS in crowded areas.”
- “Decent graphics.”
optimization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
63%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant performance issues and bugs that detract from the experience. While some users have had smooth gameplay, particularly on higher-end systems, others have noted that the game is poorly optimized, especially for lower-end hardware. Continued development and updates are seen as crucial for improving performance and enhancing the overall experience.
- “The success of the game will depend on whether Tinybuild Riga can continue expanding the world, improving performance, and fostering a larger, more active player base.”
- “Despite the UI needing some polish and performance issues, the core gameplay experience is solid.”
- “The optimization issues are notable, although I believe these can improve with further development.”
- “The technical performance is serviceable, but optimization issues and occasional bugs remind players that this is still a work in progress.”
- “Empty, boring world with poor performance.”
- “The game is very unoptimized.”
grinding
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
6%
89%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when it comes to crafting and resource gathering, with many feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the rewarding nature of the grind once they progress, others express dissatisfaction with the time investment required, especially when faced with the risk of losing hard-earned resources to other players. Overall, the grind is seen as less severe than in similar games, but it still poses significant challenges, particularly for newcomers.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The crafting system doesn’t help either, with unclear recipes and resource requirements that feel more tedious than tactical.”
- “Was hoping it would be better but it's just super grindy and frustrating to play.”
- “Seems like a great fun game at first then you get into the massive grind; this thing is like the front on steroids for grinding mats, like Rust but worse for starting out.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The reviews indicate a significant dissatisfaction with the game's story aspect, highlighting a lack of narrative depth and structured missions, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the potential for engaging storytelling through character interactions and side quests, the absence of a cohesive story mode leaves players wanting more. Overall, the game is seen as lacking a compelling narrative, making it feel more like a collection of tasks rather than a fully developed adventure.
- “The storytelling is another standout feature, with witty dialogue and heartwarming moments that keep you invested in the characters' journeys.”
- “Not what I expected, looking for a chill single-player PvE experience with a story where I don't need to worry about connecting to a server or dealing with griefers or people I don't know.”
- “Since it's an open-world game, developing a story mode would be beneficial.”
- “The developers and their coat riders will adamantly state otherwise, but there aren't any actual missions from a developed game.”
- “Cons: no story, no end goal, hardware to play.”
- “Not what I expected; I was looking for a chill single-player PvE experience with a story where I don't need to worry about connecting to a server or dealing with griefers or people I don't know.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The game's stability is currently a significant issue, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and a prevalence of cheating that detracts from the overall experience. While some players see potential in the game, many express frustration over game-breaking issues and recommend waiting for improvements before fully engaging. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess" that requires substantial fixes to its core mechanics.
- “Really fun, runs great!”
- “The game has great potential, but it still needs significant improvements to its core mechanics and a fix for persistent glitches.”
- “Game is currently buggy and full of hackers.”
- “Just a shitty Rust knockoff that has tons of bugs and glitches, don't bother.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with players labeling it a "cash grab" that prioritizes profit over quality and player experience. Concerns include a focus on monetization strategies rather than addressing critical gameplay issues, as well as restrictions on multiplayer hosting that benefit partner companies financially. Overall, the sentiment suggests a lack of genuine commitment to improving the game for its community.
- “This game could possibly be saved with some active attention from the developers, but it seems pretty clear to the original players of the game that the fully released version was a big fat cash grab.”
- “From what I've seen on their roadmap, the focus seems to be more on monetization than on addressing these critical issues.”
- “Developers have restricted multiplayer hosting to partner game hosting companies, which feels like a cash grab.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a diverse range of environments that create an expansive yet manageable experience, enhanced by impressive lighting effects, dynamic weather systems, and a day-night cycle. Players are particularly captivated by the vibrant visuals and whimsical elements, which contribute to an immersive and engaging survival atmosphere.
- “From the moment you enter its vibrant world, you’re greeted with stunning visuals and a whimsical atmosphere that instantly draws you in.”
- “The environments have enough variety to feel expansive without overwhelming the player, and the lighting effects, weather systems, and day-night cycle contribute to a convincing survival atmosphere.”
- “The developers nailed the duck atmosphere—I’ve lost hours just swimming in circles for fun.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming storytelling and witty dialogue, which create a delightful and engaging experience. Players feel a sense of warmth and investment in the characters' journeys, making it both entertaining and wholesome.
- “The storytelling is another standout feature, with witty dialogue and heartwarming moments that keep you invested in the characters' journeys.”
- “In summary, Duckside is a delightful experience that is both entertaining and heartwarming.”
- “Made me feel fuzzy.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its catchy soundtrack, which effectively complements the overall atmosphere and enhances the player's experience throughout their adventure.
- “Additionally, the soundtrack is catchy and complements the overall feel of the game, enhancing every moment of your adventure.”