Primal Planet

About

Primal Planet is a single player and multiplayer arcade action adventure game. It was developed by Seethingswarm and was released on July 28, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

PERFECT FOR STEAM DECK! About the GamePrimal Planet is a solo developed metroidvania that combines survival and crafting elements with a pixel-perfect aesthetic and an action-packed story, and it's all taking place on a lush planet filled with dinosaurs. Uncover the StoryEmbark on a thrilling journey as you follow the gripping tale of a cave dweller fighting to protect his family. Survive a b…

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 291 reviews

gameplay34 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

The game features beautiful pixel art and a vibrant prehistoric world that feels alive.
The Metroidvania mechanics are engaging, allowing for exploration and crafting that enhances gameplay.
The emotional storytelling without dialogue effectively draws players into the narrative of family and survival.

The game suffers from a lack of clear direction and map navigation, making it easy to get lost.
Combat mechanics can feel simplistic and repetitive, with some players finding the difficulty to be unbalanced.
The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving players wanting more closure to the story.

gameplay
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The gameplay is a blend of crafting, exploration, and combat mechanics that many players find enjoyable, though some note it can become repetitive and lacks depth in certain areas. While the controls are generally smooth and the art style is praised, there are criticisms regarding backtracking and unclear objectives. Overall, the game offers a fun experience with emotional engagement, particularly through its unique mechanics and charming interactions, despite some pacing issues and a somewhat shallow gameplay loop.
- “Through my playthrough, I was totally invested in the gameplay and story, and discovering all of the little things you can do in the game is fun as well.”
- “The gameplay itself is fun; crafting weapons and gear, cooking food, recruiting allies, repairing villages, and gradually unlocking stronger equipment all feel satisfying.”
- “The controls were super solid, and the gameplay was flawless; no bugs or issues faced during my playthrough.”
- “Gameplay is short (~10 hours for 100% completion) and rather bland.”
- “Solid game mechanics, however, wasted on a lot of backtracking and lack of clear objectives.”
- “Half the game is underwater and the gameplay there is sluggish and not fun; really weird decision.”
story
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The story in the game is characterized by its minimalist approach, relying heavily on visual storytelling and gameplay actions rather than dialogue, which many players found effective and engaging. While some reviews noted a lack of emotional depth and a straightforward narrative, others appreciated the simplicity and charm of the story, highlighting its ability to convey themes of family and survival in a prehistoric setting. Overall, the narrative serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, providing just enough context to enhance the exploration and immersion without overwhelming the player.
- “Primal Planet is a gorgeous pixel-art metroidvania with a touching story told without words.”
- “The story unfolds almost entirely without words, trusting visual storytelling to convey emotion and motivation.”
- “The silent storytelling is genius — every movement and interaction feels intentional, evoking empathy without a single word.”
- “The story is told entirely through game actions and cave-painting-esque illustrations the characters make, and the quest marker telling you what to do. The only info it provided that I didn't already have was the gender of the character's child and the names of dinosaurs/enemies.”
- “Story is nothing particular either with direct narrative (of which it has none, no dialogue) or environmental storytelling.”
- “With no dialogue and intuitive storytelling, players don’t get deeply immersed in a grand narrative.”
music
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
23%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising its fitting melodies and dynamic nature that adapts to gameplay contexts. While most players found the soundtrack to be exceptional and immersive, a few noted issues with abrupt transitions that could disrupt immersion. Overall, the combination of beautiful pixel art and a captivating soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The art direction is beautiful, the pixel work is rich and full of character, and the music is incredibly atmospheric.”
- “Complementing this is a soundtrack that blends ambient soundscapes with melodic themes, reinforcing mood without overpowering the experience.”
- “With gorgeous prehistoric pixel art and an astonishing soundtrack, this frantic metroidvania is a blast to the past.”
- “I find the music very average, and after a certain event at the beginning of the game, the cheerful music resumes as if nothing had happened, which broke the immersion.”
- “The dynamic music is poorly done and changes too often, which makes everything messy.”
- “The only detail I don't like about the game is that using the map cuts the music abruptly, that became kind of annoying after some time.”
graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
26%
7%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their charming pixel art and beautiful aesthetics, creating an immersive experience that enhances gameplay. Many reviewers noted the impressive art style, with specific highlights on the detailed environments and emotional visual storytelling. While some suggested improvements like additional lighting effects, the overall consensus is that the visuals are a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Amazing game, visuals are stunning; the soundtrack is just the cherry on top.”
- “The graphics are some of the prettiest pixel art I've seen in recent memory; the gameplay is very solid, with a fun leveling up system, the soundtrack is really good and fits the vibe of the game well, and I really liked the characters and story!”
- “Beautiful and detailed pixel graphics.”
- “The graphics are some of the prettiest pixel art I've seen in recent memory, the gameplay is very solid, with a fun leveling up system, the soundtrack is really good and fits the vibe of the game well, and I really liked the characters and story!”
- “The fact that the graphics were pixel-based made it even more attractive.”
- “This technique—drawing players in through compelling enemies—is often seen in thrillers or horror games, but here, any sense of fear is toned down by the game’s colorful palette, pixel art, and charming aesthetics, replaced instead with mystery and curiosity.”
emotional
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Primal Planet" is highlighted by its ability to create a heartfelt connection between players and the protagonist's journey, largely through its atmospheric storytelling and the bond with a dinosaur companion. While some players noted a lack of traditional emotional moments or a rich narrative, many found the game's simple yet touching themes of family and companionship to be deeply resonant, making the exploration and crafting feel meaningful. Overall, the game is praised for its unique approach to emotional storytelling, offering a memorable experience that emphasizes warmth and connection without relying on dialogue.
- “Primal Planet, developed by SeethingSwarm and published by Pretty Soon, is a strikingly personal and atmospheric Metroidvania that blends prehistoric survival, exploration, and emotional storytelling into a cohesive and memorable experience.”
- “The inclusion of a dinosaur companion adds both mechanical and emotional depth, offering assistance in combat and traversal while reinforcing the game’s themes of companionship and coexistence.”
- “The way the game builds their bond is heartfelt and refreshing, compared to the overused trope of killing off the whole family five minutes into the intro.”
grinding
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
95%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some appreciate the rewards for grinding and the charming aesthetics, many express frustration with the tediousness of backtracking and the scaling difficulty of skill upgrades, particularly towards the end. Although grinding is not essential for completing the game, it can become a significant time investment for those seeking 100% completion or all achievements.
- “You find enough raw materials as you explore, so it's not grindy at all, and beyond the meat for healing, you can easily finish the game without crafting anything.”
- “The game strikes a perfect balance between exploration and resource gathering, making the grinding feel rewarding rather than tedious.”
- “I appreciate how the game allows for a smooth progression without excessive grinding, keeping the experience enjoyable and engaging.”
- “The XP needed per skill level scales fast and hard, to the point that anything above level 4-5 would take hours of grinding when some skills cap out at like 14; thankfully, you also don't need more than that in any skill to get 100% completion.”
- “Unfortunately, exploration feels criminally unrewarding, progression is very grindy since most skills require more than 1 point to upgrade, the unlockable skill options beyond double jump and dash are bland and range from 'I guess that would help' to 'you don't know it yet but if you don't pick this boring upgrade now you can nearly soft-lock your game', and the bad map combined with the literally backwards in-game direction made me quit playing.”
- “It does get a bit grindy towards the end, and I wish there were more player upgrades to find around the world, but it is otherwise a great game.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The atmosphere in "Primal Planet" is highly praised for its beautiful art direction, rich pixel work, and immersive music, creating a cohesive and memorable experience. Reviewers highlight the game's emotional storytelling and exploration elements, emphasizing that it prioritizes atmosphere and discovery over mere spectacle. Overall, it is regarded as a standout atmospheric metroidvania that effectively combines prehistoric themes with engaging gameplay.
- “The art direction is beautiful, the pixel work is rich and full of character, and the music is incredibly atmospheric.”
- “Primal Planet, developed by SeethingSwarm and published by Pretty Soon, is a strikingly personal and atmospheric metroidvania that blends prehistoric survival, exploration, and emotional storytelling into a cohesive and memorable experience.”
- “It is not just a metroidvania with dinosaurs, but a thoughtfully crafted survival adventure that values atmosphere, emotion, and discovery over spectacle.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some find the game runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck, others express frustration with bugs and instability, indicating a need for future fixes to enhance gameplay.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “It also runs great on my OLED Steam Deck, making it perfect for couch sessions.”
- “I will change my review once the fixes have been implemented, as I have no interest in playing a buggy game currently.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy.”
- “I experienced multiple bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported significant performance issues, with many experiencing worsening optimization problems as they progress through the game, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “I started playing and fought through the opening, hoping that the poor performance would subside, but it intensified.”
- “The game is riddled with optimization issues that make it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “Despite the interesting gameplay, the constant frame drops and lag really detract from the overall experience.”