Kenshi

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 78,463 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Kenshi Game Cover
Work through the presentational ugliness and technical awkwardness, and you’ll find an experience of frightening depth.
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Kenshi is an open-world, squad-based RPG set in a procedurally generated fantasy world. Players must navigate survival, combat, and politics while building their own base and leading a group of adventurers. With extreme freedom, deep crafting and skill systems, and high risk of permadeath, Kenshi offers a unique challenge for dedicated players.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 78,463 reviews
story960 positive mentions
graphics834 negative mentions
  • story6,568 mentions

    The story aspect of "Kenshi" is characterized by its complete lack of a predefined narrative, allowing players to create their own unique stories through exploration and interaction with the game's world. While there is a rich lore embedded in the environment and character dialogues, the game does not provide quests or a linear storyline, which can be both liberating and daunting for players. Many reviews highlight the emergent storytelling that arises from player choices and experiences, making each playthrough distinct and personal, but also note that the absence of structured quests may leave some players feeling lost or unengaged.

    • “Kenshi is a story generator.”
    • “You literally can make your own story, or let a wacky story unfold in a direction you can't possibly predict.”
    • “The real fun is in carving out your own story in this unforgiving world.”
    • “There isn't really a story.”
    • “All of the lore and story in this game has nothing to do with you or your endeavors.”
    • “There is no real story, but instead, bounty missions and 'companion missions.' It also has just the right amount of giving you a loose tutorial and just throwing it into the mix.”
  • gameplay6,276 mentions

    The gameplay of Kenshi is characterized by its deep mechanics and open-ended sandbox design, allowing players to explore a vast, unforgiving world where they can choose their own paths, from becoming a trader to building a settlement or engaging in combat. While the game features a steep learning curve and can be punishing, many players find the emergent storytelling and unique experiences it offers to be highly rewarding, despite its technical issues and outdated graphics. Overall, Kenshi is praised for its addictive gameplay loop and the freedom it provides, making it a standout title for fans of RPGs and strategy games.

    • “Do not let outdated graphics deceive you, the gameplay is amazing.”
    • “I love the mechanics of this game, especially the random encounters, which ensures replayability and makes every hour of gameplay unique from the last.”
    • “Kenshi is buggy, janky, and you will want to download several mods just to lower loading times, but beneath the jankiness is one of the most unique, addictive, and enjoyable gameplay loops I've ever experienced.”
    • “However, for some reason there are hard coded mechanics and features that make the game absolutely unbearable, especially if you plan to play the game for the long haul.”
    • “Many mechanics decisions are unnecessarily unfair, beyond the unfairness expected in such a bleak and post-apocalyptic world.”
    • “The gameplay loop devolves into breaking the game using the AI, or exploiting a broken mechanic like pausing while stealthing to steal enough money to 'start' playing the game.”
  • graphics4,160 mentions

    The graphics of Kenshi have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are outdated and reminiscent of early 2000s titles. While some find the visuals to be charming and fitting for the game's gritty, post-apocalyptic aesthetic, others criticize them as poor and unpolished, leading to performance issues and bugs. Despite these graphical shortcomings, the gameplay is often praised for its depth and complexity, with many players willing to overlook the visuals in favor of the rich sandbox experience the game offers.

    • “The game’s art style, combining gritty realism with an expansive, haunting landscape, immerses you deeply.”
    • “The graphics might seem basic, but the world they convey has depth.”
    • “Kenshi may not feature cutting-edge graphics, but its stylized visuals have a unique charm.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely soul crushingly horrid.”
    • “The graphics are below average, the gameplay is janky, and it's unintuitive.”
    • “The graphics are very poor, the engine itself struggles at every possible moment.”
  • grinding2,172 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Kenshi is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as both extensive and tedious. While some enjoy the slow progression and find satisfaction in the grind, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and boredom, especially in the early game. Players often recommend using mods to alleviate some of the grind, suggesting that the game can be more enjoyable with adjustments to the pacing and mechanics.

    • “You're not grinding for some dumb drop or something like that; you are grinding so your characters can actually learn to fight properly, at a rate that somehow almost feels natural.”
    • “It's first genre is a true open world RPG, but all skills to train feel intentional and not grindy, and the openness is not aimless, nor on rails.”
    • “But what sets this game apart is that failing isn't as tedious as it can be in other games.”
    • “Right off the bat, I would like to say that the gameplay is grindy as hell.”
    • “There's an absolutely torturous amount of grinding and waiting involved with playing Kenshi, which the fast-forward button couldn't ever do enough to fix.”
    • “You will look at your characters grinding away for hours, save-scum, and ask yourself 'is this all there is to it?' Yes, yes it is.”
  • stability2,114 mentions

    The stability of Kenshi is widely criticized, with players reporting it as an extremely buggy and poorly optimized game. Many users experience frequent crashes, glitches, and performance issues, particularly with pathfinding and AI behavior, which can significantly detract from the gameplay experience. While some players find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the consensus is that it requires patience and often the use of mods to mitigate its numerous stability issues.

    • “Runs great on Linux using Proton, thank you Valve!”
    • “But it isn't a big deal for me; the game is playable, not too buggy, and it has this slightly flawed gem feel, like an indie passion project (which it is) that is also a great game (which it also is).”
    • “It has become more bug free (there are still some, but developers work hard).”
    • “On one hand, it's the most buggy and poorly optimized mess of a game I've ever played.”
    • “The game is too buggy to be enjoyed.”
    • “This game is a buggy pile of garbage; it feels like an early access alpha game.”
  • optimization1,398 mentions

    The optimization of Kenshi has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, including long loading times, frequent crashes, and low frame rates even on high-end systems. Many users recommend utilizing mods to enhance performance, as the game's engine struggles to handle its expansive world and numerous characters. Overall, while the game offers a unique experience, its technical shortcomings detract from the enjoyment, making it essential for players to be prepared for a janky experience.

    • “The game's performance can be a bit wonky, especially in crowded areas or during intense battles.”
    • “Optimization and lags is a huge aspect that you need to keep in mind before you buy it, but this price is more than fair for such an experience you would gain from this game.”
    • “Mods are all free on Steam where you get the game from already anyway, and some are simply to improve the optimization to make it an even smoother experience.”
    • “On one hand it's the most buggy and poorly optimized mess of a game I've ever played.”
    • “Performance issues, mid graphics, and dumb AI bring it down from being a 10/10.”
    • “The game is a bug-ridden, poorly optimized mess of programming that's barely holding itself together with used duct tape.”
  • music1,170 mentions

    The music in Kenshi has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance immersion in the game's desolate world. While some players find the soundtrack to be hauntingly beautiful and fitting for the setting, others criticize its infrequency and occasional volume issues, leading to a desire for more consistent musical presence. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a standout feature that complements the game's unique atmosphere, despite some players opting to play their own music due to the sporadic nature of the in-game tracks.

    • “The music is fantastic; very few games have a main menu theme that sets the tone and draws you into the universe before you even hit 'new game.' The long stretch of ambience which then crescendos into a flurry of strings, and ends as abruptly as it started.”
    • “Kenshi isn't just a game; it's an immersive experience fueled by its outstanding soundtrack and unparalleled open-world freedom.”
    • “Every note of its music evokes the desolation and triumphs of its harsh landscape, enriching every moment of your journey.”
    • “My thoughts in the first 20 minutes: it's really ugly, bad animations, bad sound, bad music, bad controls and a horrible UI.”
    • “Not to mention the complete lack of music made it all feel extra dull and I found myself bored, frustrated, and near death several times within an hour.”
    • “There isn't so much a soundtrack as brief spurts of atmospheric music that play very occasionally.”
  • replayability930 mentions

    Kenshi is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many players noting that the game's open-world sandbox design allows for countless unique experiences and playstyles. The extensive modding community further enhances this aspect, providing additional content and customization options that contribute to nearly infinite replay value. Overall, players find that each playthrough can feel vastly different, making it a game that invites repeated exploration and experimentation.

    • “I love the mechanics of this game, especially the random encounters, which ensures replayability and makes every hour of gameplay unique from the last.”
    • “Kenshi may be one of the most immersive and replayable games I've ever come across.”
    • “The sheer amount of possibilities makes this game very replayable, even more so with mods.”
    • “There is a lack of replayability even though people say there isn't; every single playthrough consists of just unimmersive stat grinding using glitches, and I honestly don't find the game fun anymore and I just kind of gag at the sight of it.”
    • “Replayability is therefore exponentially limited with each new save since you would know where everything is.”
    • “But the lack of depth and options makes its replayability unappealing.”
  • atmosphere700 mentions

    The atmosphere in Kenshi is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, characterized by a gritty, post-apocalyptic setting that evokes feelings of desolation and survival. Players appreciate the game's rich world-building, haunting soundtrack, and the sense of a living, breathing environment filled with lore and danger. Despite some criticisms regarding dated graphics and occasional gameplay bugs, the overall atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest features, drawing players into its expansive and brutal world.

    • “The atmosphere of this game is unrivaled.”
    • “Kenshi immediately draws me in with its unique atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, the ruthlessness, and character growth continually suck me back in for more Kenshi fun.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is extremely oppressive and depressing; everything wants to kill you, you are worthless.”
    • “While I dislike the gameplay, which is nothing but grinding for stats, the freedom of the sandbox and the atmosphere of the setting are convincing enough to make for a mild recommendation.”
    • “Finally, my only other complaint about this game is the atmosphere - this is entirely a non-issue but for me this game looks like a post-apocalyptic wasteland - I never came across running water, there are areas that look like garbage and rubble worked into the soil.”
  • humor642 mentions

    The humor in Kenshi is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and absurdity, often arising from the game's brutal mechanics and quirky character interactions. Players frequently highlight the hilariously ironic dialogue, unexpected situations, and the game's tendency to create chaotic, funny moments, such as characters losing limbs or being sold into slavery. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant aspect that enhances the game's immersive experience, making it both entertaining and memorable.

    • “The map is beautiful despite its simplicity, the characters rarely have dialogue yet manage to be memorable every time they talk, and the sheer brutality of it all is absurd to the point that it's funny.”
    • “This game is hilarious! I got chased by hungry bandits and dragged them to a group of slave traders; a fight broke loose at the rebel inn, and I stole and sold everyone's items while people were unconscious and being taken away.”
    • “Kenshi is the type of game that when you walk away you'll have cool or hilarious stories to tell your friends that will make them want to play it as well.”
    • “Don't be fooled by the fact that every negative review is genuine criticism and every positive review is some unfunny meme post; the game is actually good.”
    • “I have to say this game is so addictive it's not funny, but I have encountered a problem when building my settlement. Somehow, either a glitch or maybe just a game mechanic that I don't know about allows bandits to walk through my settlement's walls.”
  • emotional184 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Kenshi" is profoundly impactful, with players expressing deep attachments to their characters and the game's world. Many report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from joy and nostalgia to heartbreak and despair, often feeling a strong sense of accomplishment or loss as they navigate the game's brutal challenges. The game's ability to evoke such strong feelings, combined with its immersive storytelling and character development, makes it a unique emotional rollercoaster for players.

    • “This game made me cry.”
    • “I cried when my first character was brutally murdered by a group of holy nation paladins.”
    • “This game has made me feel things that I have never felt before.”
    • “No pointless conversations and a boring story; be your own story!”
    • “This isn't a boring story RPG; this game is a canvas to write your story upon.”
  • character development110 mentions

    Character development in Kenshi is praised for its depth and complexity, allowing players to create unique stories through skill specialization and progression. The game features a well-crafted system where characters grow stronger through experience, enhancing replayability and immersion in its vast, open-world setting. While some players note limitations in character development after extensive play, the overall experience is described as rewarding and engaging, particularly for those who enjoy RPG elements and strategic gameplay.

    • “The character development system is well-crafted, and every member of your squad can specialize in various skills, making them more proficient in combat, crafting, or other vital aspects of survival.”
    • “Its open-world sandbox, post-apocalyptic setting is incredibly immersive, and the freedom it offers in character development and gameplay choices is unparalleled.”
    • “The deep character development and the vast world to explore allow me to create different stories with each playthrough.”
    • “Limited character development after hours of play.”
    • “No backstory, no decisions, no character development.”
    • “Though character development becomes ruled out after you get to the gist of the game, it is still a unique game.”
  • monetization52 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and cash grabs, which contrasts sharply with trends in other popular titles. However, concerns persist regarding the game's unfinished state and the potential for future monetization efforts, such as the release of a soundtrack. Overall, players value the game's depth and ongoing updates, but some remain skeptical about the developers' commitment to completing the project without resorting to exploitative practices.

    • “No arbitrary karma system, no microtransactions.”
    • “This game contains no microtransactions.”
    • “Kenshi is worth picking up if you really value gaming and breakthrough new ideas and aren't phased by not playing in 4k and bombarded with microtransactions.”
    • “This game is still far from finished; it's barely a beta if we are being honest, and the company is looking for another cash grab.”
    • “They claim they are still going to be updating Kenshi, but let's face it, with a new cash grab on the horizon, the odds of them doing quality work to finish what started off as an amazing game are slim.”
    • “So, an amazing idea, a promising start, and a plummet into the pit of cash grabs and failed promises.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

Buy Kenshi

Play time

75hMedian play time
174hAverage play time
20-201hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 888 analyzed playthroughs

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