DYSMANTLE Game Cover
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"DYSMANTLE" is an open-world, single-player or local co-op game with a dense atmosphere, interesting plot, and spectacular gameplay/graphics. You must escape a post-apocalyptic island by fighting creatures, breaking objects for materials, exploring, surviving, building outposts, crafting, hunting/taming animals, farming, and solving puzzles. The game is known for its humor, good music, and being very grinding.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,263 reviews
story291 positive mentions
grinding667 negative mentions
  • Engaging gameplay loop of exploration, dismantling, and crafting that keeps players hooked.
  • Vast open world with a variety of environments and secrets to discover.
  • Satisfying mechanics that allow players to destroy almost everything in the game.
  • Can become repetitive and grindy, especially in the late game.
  • Combat mechanics can feel clunky and lack depth.
  • Limited fast travel options and navigation can lead to tedious backtracking.
  • story1,062 mentions

    The story in "Dysmantle" is generally described as intriguing yet minimal, often unfolding through environmental storytelling and scattered lore rather than traditional narrative methods. Players appreciate the gradual revelation of the plot, which involves escaping a zombie-infested island, but many find the pacing slow and the quests repetitive, leading to a grind-heavy experience. While some enjoy the light-hearted tone and humor, others criticize the lack of depth and coherence in the storyline, suggesting that it serves more as a backdrop for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative.

    • “The story is told in a unique way, giving you little tidbits at a time and letting you put the pieces together.”
    • “Dysmantle features a compelling story that unfolds gradually as players explore and interact with the environment.”
    • “The story is interesting and captivating, and the map is huge.”
    • “The reason I'm giving it a negative review is because of its story or lack thereof -- the ending is quite underwhelming and in order to get to it you need to do a number of tower defense side quests that just don't feel good.”
    • “No real story to speak of and it's not that difficult, just really boring and tedious.”
    • “The story is also captivating as you want to find out the mystery of what happened on this island and why you're stuck in the middle of it.”
  • gameplay764 mentions

    The gameplay in "Dysmantle" is characterized by a satisfying core loop of exploration, dismantling objects for resources, and crafting upgrades, which many players find addictive and engaging. However, the repetitive nature of the mechanics, combined with a lack of depth in combat and some frustrating design choices, can lead to a grindy experience that may not appeal to everyone. Overall, while the game offers a substantial amount of content and enjoyable mechanics, it risks becoming monotonous over time, especially for those who prefer more varied gameplay.

    • “The core gameplay loop of smash, loot, upgrade, smash more, is highly addictive and great fun.”
    • “With its vast open-world setting, satisfying combat mechanics, and addictive scavenging gameplay, Dysmantle offers a unique and engaging experience that will keep players hooked for hours on end.”
    • “The gameplay loop stays satisfying for hours and the progression just keeps going.”
    • “The gameplay loop is essentially the same from start to finish, spiced up with a quest and other small things here and there.”
    • “Isn't it great when locking the player out of areas they need to go to isn't just an occasional mechanic, but used ad nauseam to the point where you can assume every single bridge on the map between you and your destination will always be unusable?”
    • “The gameplay gets tedious fast.”
  • grinding673 mentions

    The reviews for the aspect of "grinding" in the game reveal a mixed reception. Many players find the grinding to be excessive and tedious, particularly in the late game, where it can feel repetitive and drawn out, often requiring significant time to gather materials for upgrades. However, some players appreciate the grind as a satisfying and rewarding experience, allowing for exploration and progression, especially when combined with the game's engaging mechanics like farming, crafting, and combat. Overall, while the grinding is a prominent feature, its enjoyment largely depends on individual player preferences for such gameplay.

    • “But, as mentioned previously, you're never too far from a camp, so getting the materials isn't too tedious.”
    • “You try to survive by breaking apart random objects to craft necessities, meanwhile making your way towards quest points/objectives (not grindy, supplies are plentiful, plus perks help).”
    • “The progression is also just right, not too grindy but enough to satisfy your itch for a good challenge.”
    • “Very grindy, very formulaic.”
    • “This game starts off fun, and I like the pitch concept of being able to break everything--- but it's just so incredibly grindy.”
    • “The grinding is likely the worst part of the game, however it's the type of grinding where you can easily turn your brain off and watch something on a second screen, so it wasn't too bad.”
  • graphics288 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players appreciating the colorful and cartoonish art style that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some critiques mention that the graphics are not cutting-edge or realistic, they are described as solid and well-suited for the game's aesthetic, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience. Overall, the visuals are considered pleasing and effective, with a good balance between simplicity and charm, making it accessible even on lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics in 'Dysmantle' are beautiful, with a colorful and cartoonish style that makes the post-apocalyptic world feel more light-hearted and fun.”
    • “From the moment you step out of the bunker, you'll be enthralled by the game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “The art style is simple but not too simple that it looks cheap or poorly done.”
    • “They should be ashamed for not making better 3D models that fit the aesthetic, in all honesty.”
    • “Unless you set low details, but at that point the graphics are quite grainy and ugly.”
    • “The graphics are ok, there is far too much grinding going on to level up your equipment.”
  • music125 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant lack of a consistent soundtrack during gameplay, often relying on ambient sounds instead. While some appreciate the opportunity to play their own music, others find the sparse musical moments, such as during cutscenes or boss fights, to be jarring or underwhelming. Overall, the sound design is generally considered solid, but the absence of a more engaging soundtrack detracts from the overall experience for many players.

    • “The game's beautiful graphics, fun soundtrack, and satisfying gameplay make it a must-play for anyone who enjoys a good survival game.”
    • “From the moment you step out of the bunker, you'll be enthralled by the game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “Beautiful art direction, incredibly addicting gameplay loop, fantastic sound design (love the music), engaging breadcrumb story that keeps you chasing it for more, a stellar variety of activities, tons of content for you to devour across a gargantuan world map.”
    • “The biggest and most annoying issue I have found in the game is no music, except for the starting location, main menu, and some cutscenes.”
    • “99% of the game time is utterly devoid of music, then suddenly there will be these silly little cinematics set to the most godawful out-of-balance tripe that just had me wanting to skip every single one of them.”
    • “When you are venturing around the map there isn't any music, there isn't any music when you are fighting monsters, there isn't any music at all, and it is very noticeable.”
  • humor44 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and lighthearted nature, featuring clever in-game references, witty character comments, and amusing mechanics that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the blend of humor with gameplay elements, such as absurd loot yields and comical interactions, which contribute to a fun and engaging atmosphere. Despite some technical jank, the humor often turns frustrating moments into laughable experiences, making it a delightful choice for casual gaming.

    • “Instead of generic procedural muck, you get a handcrafted map with some sly winks and some... less sly humor.”
    • “It's a game that doesn't take itself too seriously and is sure to have you laughing as you bash mutant creatures with a frying pan.”
    • “I love when game mechanics and humor meet, looking at you amber pills, right on the edge of laughing or crying.”
  • stability42 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with many players reporting smooth mechanics, minimal bugs, and excellent performance across various platforms, including Steam Deck and Linux. While some users noted minor glitches and issues with multiplayer functionality, the majority experienced no game-breaking problems or crashes, highlighting the game's polished state even in early access. Overall, it is considered one of the least buggy games in recent memory, providing a solid and enjoyable experience.

    • “The game runs great and I have yet to see or experience a single bug in this game.”
    • “A polished, bug-free, and overdelivering indie experience!”
    • “The dev team is hard working; the game is basically bug-free and extremely polished. I never came across any game-breaking bugs that caused me to relaunch the game or restart my playthrough.”
    • “It's impossible to do local since only one controller is able to be connected at a time. Honestly, it's beyond frustrating trying to do it with remote play, having 20 minutes of troubleshooting each time I want to play. A great solo game, but could be the most frustrating multiplayer experience of my life. I would have given it a raving review if it wasn't for this.”
    • “It is a little buggy, and I do not like how zombies reappear every time you rest (maybe change that to a daily thing?). There are a few minor bugs (I've crashed twice), but none of my hard work was lost.”
    • “From what I've been able to play so far, I'm enjoying it, but it's super buggy.”
  • optimization35 mentions

    Overall, the game is highly praised for its optimization, with users reporting smooth performance, minimal stuttering, and fast loading times across a range of hardware, including lower-end systems. Many players noted that the game runs well even with a large open-world environment and numerous elements on screen, indicating effective resource management. The consistent performance and lack of significant bugs contribute to a positive gaming experience.

    • “You can have tons of persistent drops all over the world without a hiccup in performance.”
    • “From the very first menu load, the attention to detail and optimization is obvious.”
    • “A stupidly big open-world map (which is so well optimized there's no loading screen in between, despite all the roaming doggos, deer, and ex-humans)”
    • “You can have tons of persistent drops all over the world without a hiccup in performance.”
    • “I occasionally get a slight performance drop, but that's all because of my computer.”
    • “And you would expect from a game that has multiple items laying on the ground in a huge map to have some performance issues, but it runs butter smooth.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its tension, stunning visuals, and effective sound design, creating an engaging and immersive experience. Players appreciate the distinct environments and the relaxing, chill vibe, although some note that certain areas lack uniqueness and character. Overall, the combination of art style, minimal music, and ambient sounds contributes to a captivating atmosphere that enhances gameplay.

    • “I personally loved the atmosphere, especially in the beginning where things are tense and you have to be careful how you handle fights.”
    • “The attention to detail in the environment design is commendable, with each location offering a distinct atmosphere and challenges to overcome.”
    • “From the moment you step out of the bunker, you'll be enthralled by the game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “The island really needs more character and more atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is bright and vibrant, not dark and gloomy.”
    • “You get some ambient animal sounds which give some atmosphere.”
  • replayability26 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag among users; while some praise it for offering a lot of content and fun experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs, others criticize it for a lack of variation in maps and character builds, leading to negligible replay value. Suggestions for improvement include the addition of a "new game plus" mode and more diverse side stories to enhance replayability. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some finding it infinitely replayable and others feeling it lacks incentive to return after completing the main content.

    • “A very fun game with lots of replay value.”
    • “I think there’s a ton of replay value.”
    • “Lots to explore and do with good replayability.”
    • “The game doesn't have much replay value for me though.”
    • “No map variation and no build variation probably means little to no replay value.”
    • “I would say currently there are 20-30 hours of content available in the game, but with zero replayability, meaning that once you're done with the current content there is no good reason or incentive to play the game again until new content is implemented.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it for being grind-heavy and filled with annoying ads, reminiscent of mobile games. However, others appreciate the absence of microtransactions, viewing it as a refreshing change from typical cash-grab models. Overall, while some find the monetization approach disappointing, others enjoy the gameplay without the pressure of in-game purchases.

    • “This game offers a great experience without the burden of microtransactions, focusing instead on solid gameplay.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't interfere with the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “I appreciate how the game allows players to progress without feeling pressured to spend money.”
    • “Grind-heavy, like a mobile game designed to be flooded with ads.”
    • “I don't feel like this game was made with any sort of love, and was instead intended as an early access cash grab, which is a major disappointment.”
    • “Annoying ads to buy DLC, but that's the age we live in.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional depth, noting that it creates a profound sense of loneliness and personal responsibility, making them feel deeply connected to the world. The attention to detail in the game's design enhances this emotional accessibility, allowing for a unique and impactful experience that stands out among other titles.

    • “A lot of care went into making this world emotionally accessible.”
    • “First off, this game genuinely made me feel lonely.”
    • “It made me feel like my survival was up to me and me alone.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is praised for its satisfying progression, featuring a blend of RPG elements such as equipment upgrades, level-ups, and crafting. Players appreciate the cool character designs and the way the game balances difficulty with various activities like farming, fighting, and exploring, all contributing to an engaging story and atmosphere.

    • “Very satisfying and builds up the difficulty nicely with pretty cool character designs.”
    • “You get basic RPG character development in the form of equipment and improving it, level ups, farming, building, crafting, fighting, exploring, challenges, story, and atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

26hMedian play time
50hAverage play time
10-78hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 80 analyzed playthroughs

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