RimWorld

About

RimWorld is a sci-fi colony simulation game where players manage a group of survivors stranded on an alien planet. Colonists have individual needs, moods, and relationships, and players must build shelter, grow food, and defend against threats. The game features dynamic weather, trade, crafting, and the ability to capture and integrate prisoners into the colony. With a procedurally generated world and story, each playthrough offers a unique challenge.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+16

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 98,941 reviews

story1.9k positive mentions

grinding640 negative mentions

story
7,801 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
73%
2%
RimWorld is widely recognized as a "story generator," where each playthrough creates a unique narrative shaped by player decisions and random events orchestrated by an AI storyteller. Players often find themselves deeply invested in the lives of their colonists, experiencing a range of emotions as they navigate challenges, triumphs, and tragedies that unfold in their colonies. The game's emphasis on emergent storytelling, combined with extensive mod support, allows for endless replayability and diverse storytelling possibilities, making it a standout title in the colony simulation genre.
- “Rimworld's emergent storytelling and the variety of narratives it can help you create is astonishing.”
- “What starts as a simple story of crash-landed survivors quickly expands into a richly complex web of survival, strategy, and storytelling.”
- “The game's AI storyteller dynamically generates events, ranging from pirate raids and animal attacks to mysterious psychic phenomena, keeping you constantly engaged and on your toes.”
- “It doesn't feel like a cohesive story; it feels like a bad DM rolling on a table and lazily monologuing for 2 hours.”
- “The game is advertised as a 'story generator,' but it really only generates the same story over and over.”
- “The storytelling elements that it's touted for seemed forced and unintuitive, without any real difference between the storytellers.”
gameplay
4,797 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
3%
RimWorld's gameplay is characterized by its deep mechanics and emergent storytelling, allowing players to create unique narratives through colony management, resource gathering, and survival strategies. The game features a robust modding community that significantly enhances replayability and customization, offering countless hours of engaging gameplay. While the learning curve can be steep, especially for new players, mastering the mechanics leads to a rewarding and addictive experience that keeps players coming back for more.
- “Rimworld has an enormous variety of gameplay paths, and with unrivaled mod support, the possibilities are endless!”
- “The sheer variety of emergent gameplay moments creates stories that feel personal and unique.”
- “With its deep mechanics, emergent gameplay, and captivating AI storytelling, Rimworld offers an experience that is both immensely rewarding and dangerously addictive.”
- “There's a lack of strong mechanics to make friends with other factions, and factions are predetermined 'good' or 'evil' groups.”
- “The directors are entirely way too overbearing on the gameplay, especially compared to a game like Dwarf Fortress where it's very subtle. In this game, it's painfully obnoxious how often they just throw some random nonsense at you.”
- “The gameplay is straightforward to the point of being simplistic and bland, and there isn’t much depth even if you go out of your way to get creative.”
replayability
2,976 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
44%
1%
RimWorld is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players noting that no two playthroughs are ever the same due to its dynamic AI storyteller, random events, and diverse character traits. The game's depth is further enhanced by a vibrant modding community, which adds countless new scenarios and mechanics, making it virtually infinitely replayable. While some players mention that the base game can become repetitive after extensive play, the overall consensus is that the combination of procedural generation and mod support ensures a continually fresh experience.
- “Rimworld is a game with staggering depth, where both the official DLCs and the vibrant modding community keep it fresh and replayable for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours.”
- “Its ability to generate unique stories and its high replayability make it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The sheer number of mods available extends the game's replayability exponentially, enabling players to tailor their experience to their preferences and uncover new possibilities.”
- “Here's where I have my major issue with Rimworld: it's a $34.99 story generator that runs out of ideas after three playthroughs and from then on relies on mods to have any replayable value.”
- “The game has a lot of replayability, but one playthrough can last long enough to be worth it on its own, especially if you play like I do and try to have the perfect base.”
- “The mods are what really make this game replayable in my opinion.”
graphics
2,677 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The graphics of RimWorld are characterized by a simplistic, minimalist art style that some players initially find off-putting, often comparing it to older games like Prison Architect. While the visuals may lack the polish of modern AAA titles, they effectively convey gameplay mechanics and allow for smooth performance, even on lower-end systems. Many players report that the graphics grow on them over time, as the depth of gameplay and emergent storytelling take center stage, proving that engaging mechanics can outweigh visual appeal.
- “Despite its simplistic graphics, Rimworld's charm lies in its complexity, making it a must-play for strategy enthusiasts.”
- “The graphics may be simple, but the gameplay is deep and compelling.”
- “Don't let the simple graphics fool you - this game has an absurd amount of depth and the modding community has only found ways to expand on it with time.”
- “Your expansions are a bit pricey for the level of graphics and features.”
- “The graphics are low-res trash, it has an inconsistent art aesthetic, the combat is jank, pawns are brain dead and there's a lot of head-scratching moments where you are left to wonder why in gods name the developer implemented something in such a half-assed simplistic way.”
- “The graphics are ugly, the onboarding is sub-par, but the more I play the more I love it.”
humor
1,018 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in RimWorld is a standout feature, characterized by its dark, absurd, and often chaotic scenarios that arise during gameplay. Players frequently share hilarious anecdotes about their colonists' misadventures, from unexpected deaths to bizarre interactions, creating a rich tapestry of comedic storytelling. The game's unpredictable nature, combined with its quirky character traits and random events, ensures that each playthrough is filled with both laughter and tragedy, making it a uniquely entertaining experience.
- “Suffering is the only constant in life, so it's a good thing that RimWorld makes suffering funny.”
- “The stories you can create with your colonists are so funny, morbid, stressful, and sometimes downright amazing.”
- “The random scenarios are funny sometimes.”
- “The first DLC was a blast and a great addition, and I can't wait to add religion to my list of unfunny jokes I can make about this game with the second DLC.”
- “Still not funny.”
- “She told us she was called Engie, but we all called her Peg—it was supposed to be funny.”
music
802 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, often described as a blend of relaxing and engaging tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions and complement the game's themes, with some even recommending additional mods to expand the musical variety. While some users note that the music can become repetitive over long play sessions, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The sound design complements the gameplay well, with ambient sounds and music that enhance the atmosphere without becoming intrusive.”
- “The soundtrack complements the gameplay with ambient tracks that enhance the atmosphere of exploration and survival.”
- “The soundtrack is unbelievably amazing and it lives up to its purpose, making you want to stay and keep listening.”
- “The music is kind of meh and gets very repetitive, so I had that turned off almost immediately.”
- “The graphics are dogwater, the music is repetitive, and the performance can get pretty crappy if you put in too many mods or have too much stuff going on in your colony.”
- “The only thing that bothers me is the (in-game) music.”
grinding
721 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
10%
89%
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as tedious and requiring extensive micromanagement. While some enjoy the depth and complexity of managing resources, farming, and survival mechanics, others find the repetitive tasks and slow progression frustrating, often leading to a feeling of burnout. Overall, the game offers a mix of rewarding gameplay and grindy elements, making it appealing to those who appreciate detailed simulation but potentially overwhelming for casual players.
- “It gives you tools to automate everything, so it is not tedious - one of the challenges is to set it up so that almost everything works by itself.”
- “Good game if you like management, also some micromanaging, but they did a good job with making it simple and not tedious.”
- “And the gameplay, oh man, it's amazing! It's not grinding for stuff until you die; you just find resources, build things, and in about an hour, you can make allies with other factions. If you play with mods from the community, this might be the ultimate sci-fi colony manager game experience you'll ever get.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game is tedious and frustrating, but only because it's so damn intricate.”
- “My experience was boring, frustrating, and tedious.”
emotional
498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of RimWorld is a profound and multifaceted experience, with players frequently expressing deep attachments to their colonists, often leading to genuine feelings of joy, heartbreak, and loss. The game's emergent storytelling creates a rich tapestry of emotional highs and lows, where players can find themselves laughing one moment and crying the next, as they navigate the unpredictable challenges of survival. This emotional investment is further amplified by the game's ability to generate unique narratives, making each playthrough a deeply personal journey filled with both heartwarming and tragic moments.
- “Rimworld is a masterpiece in emergent gameplay, offering endless stories ranging from heartwarming to downright tragic.”
- “Players become deeply invested in the lives of their colonists, forming emotional connections and experiencing genuine moments of triumph and tragedy.”
- “The stories that unfold, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, will stay with you long after the credits roll.”
- “So elegantly driven and emotional that you cry.”
- “Heartbreaking.”
optimization
376 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
66%
15%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios with large colonies or numerous mods. While some commend the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems and appreciate the modding community's efforts to enhance performance, others express frustration over the reliance on mods to achieve playable frame rates and the lack of multi-threading support. Overall, while the game shows potential for optimization, it struggles with performance as complexity increases.
- “Optimization: well-optimized for various systems.”
- “Despite the intricate simulations happening beneath the surface, the game runs smoothly on a wide range of systems.”
- “The game is so optimized you can play it on just about any device that is capable of running the Steam application with graphics adjusted.”
- “As colonies grow larger, players may experience FPS drops and performance issues, especially if running multiple mods.”
- “Ridiculous DLC pricing, laughably bad performance with only one core being used by the game, leading to abhorrent performance upon reaching higher colony populations or during hostile raids.”
- “Performance is rimworld's biggest issue, as saves get larger and more is going on, rimworld's play speed generally tanks, leaving you unable/unwilling to finish the save due to the game taking forever to actually do things anymore.”
stability
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
1%
77%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches, particularly when using mods, which can lead to crashes and performance issues. While some users find the base game relatively stable and enjoyable, others experience significant lag and freezing, especially as their factions grow. Overall, while the game can run smoothly under certain conditions, the reliance on mods often introduces instability, making troubleshooting a common necessity for players.
- “Amazing game, one of the few out there that is bug free and is a lot of fun.”
- “The game is fully functional, relatively bug free, playable, and fun.”
- “It has been totally bug free for me in over 300 hours played.”
- “With or without mods, as your faction grows, the game inevitably freezes or lags.”
- “Storage is extremely badly optimized leading to intermittent game freezes every few seconds with high stockpile loads, there are no ways of making stockpiles fully virtual and thus, pawns generate extreme amounts of lag trying to pathfind to sought-after items.”
- “If the game was less expensive as well as the DLC, I could recommend it; however, in the time I've played, I've discovered game-destroying glitches that are small and you won't notice them until it's too late.”
atmosphere
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by effective sound design and a haunting soundtrack that complements the gameplay. Despite its simplistic graphics, players find the environment rich and engaging, with a dynamic storytelling aspect that draws them into the experience. Overall, the combination of ambient music, environmental details, and the game's unique charm creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested.
- “The sound design complements the gameplay well, with ambient sounds and music that enhance the atmosphere without becoming intrusive.”
- “From the haunting soundtrack to the vivid descriptions of events, every aspect of the game contributes to its atmospheric charm.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, and the depth of what you can do seems really amazingly thought-out.”
- “Environmentally, the landscapes are earth-like and lack creative environments resembling other known planetary environments/atmospheres as well as the necessary systems in order to creatively challenge and delight players.”
- “My initial complaints with the game are: the art style is awful and unfitting for the atmosphere of the game (even if you like this art style, you can't deny that some of the models and animation are terrible), it seems slightly overpriced in its current state; the UI is unintuitive, the hotkeys need reworking; there's no good in-game tutorial, progress can be slow with steel and components being a constant bottleneck - the only two resources which seem to matter.”
- “The tense atmosphere that comes with the constant demands of your colony, and the threats against it, keep you thinking ahead with anticipation and anxiety.”
monetization
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
18%
76%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the DLCs as overpriced cash grabs that only partially address community requests. While there are no microtransactions or paywalls, the initial game and its expansions are seen as costly, leading some to recommend waiting for sales or even pirating the DLCs. Despite these concerns, the game's extensive modding community is praised for enhancing the experience, making the base game more enjoyable without additional costs.
- “There are no microtransactions, pay-to-win elements, or anything of the sort - the two DLCs are also excellent, but purely optional.”
- “No paywalls, no advertisements, no microtransactions, no barriers to the mayhem and the fun.”
- “There's no microtransactions or purchases of any kind after the initial buy.”
- “However, it got popular and now it's become a cash grab with DLC expansions filled with 50% features people have asked for and 50% weird stuff.”
- “Was a good enough game until it became a grossly overpriced cash grab.”
- “Love the game but the price of the DLC is way too much and just feels like a cash grab.”
character development
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
56%
9%
Character development in RimWorld is a standout feature, offering players a rich tapestry of unique personalities, backstories, and relationships that enhance emotional investment in the game. While characters exhibit superficial traits that remain static, the depth of interactions and the randomness of events create a dynamic storytelling experience. Players appreciate the blend of character progression with base-building mechanics, although some critique the lack of visual diversity in character design.
- “The depth of its character development, from personalities to relationships, adds a layer of emotional investment rarely seen in other games.”
- “Incredible character development - your characters can have reactions, take realistic wounds (I lost three toes to a roof collapse), fall in and out of love, and get pets.”
- “With its naming and character development, it allows you to get attached to your people and tell stories as well.”
- “You cannot influence the larger world or have any meaningful diplomacy and interaction with other factions, and pawns themselves never change and are static entities in terms of character development; they have none aside from replacing their kidneys and arms with bionics after they get blown away.”
- “Less complex and in-depth history and character development, but certainly a more finalized and directed route that the gameplay could and can take.”
- “Unfortunately, traits can never change, and they're decided entirely at character development.”