Rust

About

Rust is a multiplayer-only survival game set in a harsh, open world. Gather resources, craft tools, build shelters, and form alliances with other players to survive. Conflicts arise through competition for resources and territory, and betrayal is common. The game features complex survival mechanics, including hunger, thirst, and temperature management.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+48

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 916,722 reviews

gameplay5.9k positive mentions

grinding9.8k negative mentions

Rust offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience with a focus on survival, crafting, and player interaction, making it a standout in the MMO survival genre.
The graphics and atmosphere of Rust are stunning, with detailed environments and immersive sound design that enhance the overall experience.
The game fosters a strong sense of community and player-driven stories, providing immense replayability and varied approaches to gameplay.

The game suffers from frequent technical issues, including crashes, freezes, and lag, which can lead to frustrating experiences for players.
Rust's community can be toxic, with rampant negativity and competitive behavior that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
The monetization model has been criticized as a cash grab, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall gaming experience.

gameplay
16,474 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The gameplay in Rust is characterized by its challenging survival mechanics, intricate crafting, and base-building systems, which offer a rewarding experience for players willing to invest time in mastering them. However, the steep learning curve, coupled with a highly competitive and often toxic player community, can make the initial experience frustrating for newcomers. Despite these challenges, many players find the emergent gameplay and dynamic interactions with others to be engaging and addictive, leading to countless hours of immersive gameplay.
- “The survival, looting, and gunplay mechanics are all amazing, offering a good mix of PvP and PvE.”
- “Rust is a masterpiece of chaotic, hilarious, and heart-pounding gameplay.”
- “The gameplay in Rust is incredibly engaging, with a focus on survival, crafting, and player interaction.”
- “Now the game is filled with 0 risk mechanics where you can play without ever risking a thing.”
- “The gameplay is beyond pointless and boring.”
- “The gameplay becomes repetitive and stale far too quickly.”
graphics
12,741 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The graphics of Rust have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and immersive environments, with many players noting significant improvements over the years. However, the game is also criticized for its high system requirements, leading to performance issues on lower-end PCs, which can result in lag and crashes even at minimal settings. Overall, while the graphics are often described as beautiful and detailed, the optimization remains a concern for many players, impacting their overall experience.
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and realistic textures that create a visually appealing world.”
- “The open-world sandbox environment is incredibly immersive, with stunning graphics and dynamic weather effects that enhance the overall experience.”
- “The graphics are simply wonderful, with only the exceptionally rare bug.”
- “Graphics suck as do the servers, gun recoils and hit regs.”
- “The lengthy server loading times are frustrating, especially considering the graphics are just decent, nothing groundbreaking here.”
- “The updates in the past 2 years have made it extremely hard to run on a lower end pc even with every graphic setting turned to the lowest.”
grinding
10,269 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of Rust is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as excessively time-consuming and often frustrating. Players report spending countless hours gathering resources, only to lose everything to raids or player encounters, leading to a cycle of repetitive gameplay that can feel like a second job. While some enjoy the grind and find it rewarding, especially when playing with friends, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game, particularly for solo players who may struggle to keep up with more experienced groups. Overall, Rust is characterized as a grind-heavy survival game that demands a substantial time investment.
- “Facepunch knew exactly what to do in terms of making the game not too grindy enough to have to no-life it, but still have an edge that made grinding fun.”
- “The times you are not grinding materials you are fighting which is fun, but it's about a 60% grind to 40% playtime relationship.”
- “Not too grindy if you're a PvPer, but gets pretty hard when you're alone because you get teamed on often.”
humor
5,940 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Rust" is a defining aspect of the game, characterized by chaotic player interactions, dark humor, and absurd situations that often lead to laughter. Players frequently recount hilarious moments, such as unexpected betrayals, comical deaths, and the antics of fellow gamers, particularly in proximity chat. However, the community's toxicity, including rampant racism and trolling, adds a layer of complexity, making the experience both frustrating and amusing, especially when playing with friends. Overall, the game is seen as a blend of intense survival gameplay and a comedic social experiment, appealing to those with a thick skin and a sense of humor.
- “In short, Rust is the ultimate survival game for masochists with a sense of humor.”
- “Rust is a masterpiece of chaotic, hilarious, and heart-pounding gameplay.”
- “It's chaotic, it's infuriating, and it's absolutely hilarious.”
- “This game is not funny; it is very annoying.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
- “The content that gets added to this game is crazy, but it is impossible to play by yourself unless you are planning on not going outside ever again, toxic players every 5 seconds, and not funny toxic like they just be annoying.”
optimization
5,875 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
51%
33%
The optimization of "Rust" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many expressing frustration over its poor performance even on high-end systems. Despite some improvements over the years, frequent crashes, long loading times, and lag spikes continue to plague the game, making it unplayable for those with lower-end PCs. While the developers are actively working on updates and optimizations, many players feel that the focus has shifted towards adding new content rather than addressing the core performance issues.
- “The performance is comically bad.”
- “This game is probably one of if not the most poorly optimized games I've ever played.”
- “Game is very badly optimized, even on the best PCs, do not expect this game to run smoothly.”
story
4,450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
78%
12%
The story aspect of Rust is largely absent, with many players noting that the game lacks a traditional narrative or structured storyline. Instead, players create their own unique stories through interactions, survival experiences, and emergent gameplay, leading to a variety of personal anecdotes and adventures. While some players appreciate this open-ended approach, others express a desire for more defined quests or a cohesive plot to enhance their gaming experience.
- “The game's story is told through environmental storytelling, with players able to piece together the game's lore through exploration and discovery.”
- “In rust, every player's story is a unique masterpiece, and every server is a canvas waiting for the next epic saga to unfold.”
- “Every wipe brings a different story every time.”
- “The only story here is the tragic tale of how you lost everything because you trusted someone you met in-game.”
- “This game is mission madness boys.”
- “There is no backstory or context for where you find yourself (that I discovered), no game quests or lessons or tutorials, and no long-lasting reward for anything because servers get wiped once monthly (or more often, depending on your server).”
stability
3,550 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The stability of the game "Rust" is frequently criticized by users, with many reporting common issues such as crashes, freezes, and significant lag, particularly during gameplay and server loading. While some players acknowledge that the game runs smoothly once loaded, the frequent technical glitches and performance problems can lead to frustrating experiences, especially for those who invest considerable time into their progress. Overall, the game is described as a buggy mess, with ongoing optimization and stability issues that detract from the enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “Quite possibly the best MMO survival game that you can find, the game looks and runs great with no issues (unless you're on a bad server, of course).”
- “Physics are good, graphics are amazing, there are little to no glitches and the gameplay is even better.”
- “The game looks great, runs great and has very dedicated developers constantly adding great new things to the game and it's only getting better.”
- “Once you're in the game the experience is mostly smooth, but crashes and freezes are a tad more common than you'd expect, which for a game where getting kicked out can make you lose hours of progress can be very frustrating.”
- “Over 2000 of these hours were pure freezes or game crashed it is by far an awful game please don't purchase unless you like to burn money like me!”
- “The game is so buggy needs an update.”
emotional
1,906 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Rust" is characterized by a profound rollercoaster of feelings, ranging from heartwarming moments of camaraderie and support within the community to intense frustration and heartbreak from betrayal and loss. Players often report experiencing significant emotional distress, with many expressing feelings of sadness, anger, and even despair after losing hard-earned progress or being subjected to the game's toxic player interactions. Despite its challenges, the game also fosters unique connections and memorable experiences, making it a deeply engaging yet emotionally taxing journey for many players.
- “The game is so powerful that it can even enhance yourself mentally and emotionally, essentially identical to any therapy session.”
- “Emotional rollercoaster: experience the highest highs and the lowest lows, sometimes within the same hour.”
- “This game has made me cry so many times but 10/10 would buy.”
music
1,614 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
79%
3%
The music in Rust has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and the addition of musical instruments that enhance community interactions. While some find the soundtrack eerie and fitting for the game's survival theme, others criticize it for being repetitive or overshadowed by the chaotic player interactions, including loud music blasting through microphones. Overall, the music contributes to the game's unique experience, but its effectiveness can vary greatly depending on the player's environment and community dynamics.
- “The way it blends survival and competitive genres is fun, especially if you enjoy the goofier bits, like firing rocket launchers at a naked man running from a pig, or being stabbed to death by a person blasting Russian music over their microphone and brandishing a spear.”
- “I have played this game since 2020, and as I have studied music production for games, I can put my hand on my heart and say this music soundtrack is the most amazing, eerie, and so on level with the overall concept of this chaotic game.”
- “The gentle strumming of the guitar by the campfire, the rhythmic beat of a drum circle, and the occasional tune played on a trumpet can turn the harsh world of Rust into a musical haven.”
- “This is the most dogshit game I have ever played. It gives me suicidal thoughts every time I see the logo or hear the music. Fuck this game, I hate it and I wasted 40 dollars and 236 hours of my life on this game.”
- “The game would be better off without any music than what it has.”
- “The only downside to how well the sound is designed is that it makes listening to music impossible if you want to survive.”
replayability
775 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
3%
Rust is widely praised for its immense replayability, attributed to its dynamic gameplay, player-driven stories, and the ever-changing environment with each server wipe. Players appreciate the variety of approaches to survival, from peaceful farming to aggressive raiding, ensuring that no two experiences are alike. However, some users express concerns about the game's steep learning curve and the potential for toxicity within the community, which can impact the overall enjoyment and replay value for certain players.
- “The emergent gameplay and player-driven stories make every server unique, adding replayability and depth to the experience.”
- “Rust offers immense replayability due to its open-ended gameplay and the constant threat from other players.”
- “With countless ways to approach survival, whether through peaceful farming, aggressive raiding, or strategic alliances, Rust offers endless replayability.”
- “No... there just isn't enough gameplay for it to have any replayability.”
- “Not a lot of replayability.”
- “This absence of satisfying endgame content limits the game's longevity and replayability, ultimately diminishing its overall value.”
atmosphere
672 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
44%
3%
The atmosphere in Rust is a complex blend of immersive visuals and sound design that creates a tense, post-apocalyptic environment filled with paranoia and danger. While the game's stunning landscapes and dynamic weather enhance the experience, the toxic player interactions and competitive nature can detract from enjoyment, leading to a hostile atmosphere for newcomers. Overall, Rust's atmosphere is both captivating and brutal, making it a unique survival experience that can be rewarding for those who navigate its challenges.
- “Stunning visuals and atmosphere: Rust's world is beautifully crafted, with detailed environments and realistic day-night cycles that enhance the overall experience.”
- “The sound design is equally impressive, with atmospheric audio that enhances the sense of immersion.”
- “The atmosphere of desolation and constant danger is masterfully conveyed through the game's visuals and ambient sounds, immersing players into a truly post-apocalyptic experience.”
- “The cutthroat nature of the community, characterized by relentless raids and constant threat of violence, created an atmosphere that felt more like a war zone than an enjoyable gaming experience.”
- “The overall atmosphere is one of oppressive bleakness, which, while perhaps intentional, ultimately renders the experience unbearably dismal.”
- “The toxicity within the game's community can be disheartening, and it creates an atmosphere that is unwelcoming and stressful.”
monetization
330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
38%
59%
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the prevalence of microtransactions and in-game advertisements, particularly for cosmetic items that do not enhance gameplay. Concerns have also been raised about the game's encouragement of gambling among younger players and the overall lack of meaningful updates or fixes from developers, which further exacerbates the perception of greed over quality. While some players appreciate the low grind and minimal necessary purchases, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization strategies detract from the gaming experience.
- “In-game purchases are generally for fun things like skins that don’t impact gameplay, with the exception of matching colors to the environment for camouflage perhaps.”
- “Monetization means skins (which you don't need, but some can be helpful, e.g., glowing box skins and camo armor) and 2 DLCs (which don't do much other than add some fun type items).”
- “Amazing monetization (put weekly rotation of skins made by community and themselves on sale; this is the only money driving system for the game).”
- “I would stay as far as possible from this cash grab of a game.”
- “It's a torturous grind, inhabited by the dregs of the gaming community, plagued with technical issues, and riddled with greedy monetization schemes.”
- “This game is a massive cash grab, and the devs themselves have said they're going to pretty much scrap rust as it is now anyways.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
59%
27%
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise its depth and pacing, highlighting strong storytelling and performances, others express frustration over a lack of meaningful character progression and customization options. Critiques also focus on character design, with some finding it unappealing and restrictive, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Overall, 'Her Story' is a game that is all about storytelling and character development, and Viva's performance is a big part of what makes it so compelling.”
- “I wanted to mention the character design page and the things you can choose from; it is so well made, and I love the fact that there are so many specific hairstyles for both men and women.”
- “Well-paced character development.”
- “No character development.”
- “Absolutely no part of his ugly as sin piece of shit character design is endearing.”
- “Any sense of character progression and character development is completely destroyed, making it impossible for people new to servers to obtain any fighting chance against other players because the zones that drop essential end-game components are monopolized and controlled by clans.”