Item: Don't Starve: Together
Rating: 8.5
Author: Philip Tauschek

**SOUND/AUDIO 8/10**  
  
Straight to the point: the SFX makes sense and it matches the visuals so well - from quirky sounds of foraging different items to the funny incomprehensible honks the characters do when speaking. Although, some hint of bankground music would be nice to add to the ambiance - sometimes we need something to keep us vibing while doing repetitive tasks especially when you've been in the game for some long hours.  
  
**VISUALS 8/10**  
  
Same like the audio, the visuals match the mood/vibe they are trying to portray in DST although it may not be so different from the previous game. My only wish was that there was an option display it not in the isometric view (or there is and I'm just unaware of it) since placement is important especially when you're trying to manage the resources you have gathered. We wouldn't want everything to catch on fire during the summer if everything is placed too close to one another.  
  
**INTERFACE 9/10**  
  
Admittedly, if you're new to resource management in games, this could shock you (because it did shock me and I've played them before). It was still the early game and yet we started to have a lot of items already - it is part of the game tho, else you would be procrastinating to look for said items when you need them (big no-no). But, since this IS DST, best play it with someone who enjoys and is okay with the sole purpose of managing your inventory as it could save you a lot of time from opening all of the chests just to look for that one item you need. Crafting as well, yes it needs A LOT of getting used to. But there are times that is quite confusing as to which item is for what and you have to get a good look at them before venturing off else you'd be wasting time. Thankfully, the menus are easy to understand.  
  
**GAMEPLAY 10/10**  
  
Despite the game's simple look, DST has A LOT of depth into it. Sure, you may be familiar with how the game works in the survival sense but along with the complexities of the times of day, the seasons, the variety of biomes and even the character you're using - all these add up to how the game would feel for you. The characters themselves are significantly different from one another due to their individuality (each with their pros and cons). This is also the same for your enemies, they get harder and they vary depending on a number of factors as well. You may have played the game for hours, but that doesn't guarantee that the game gets any less difficult than it is.  
  
**CONCLUSION 8.75/10**  
  
At its core, DST is a survival game. But I see why people have been saying that it could trample the others of the same genre. While you reach the later stages of other games you begin to lose the "survival" aspects. And that's where DST proves people wrong. Oh, you think you're gonna build a massive empire? Think again. You have 3 things to focus on: your health, your sanity and your hunger. Managing these 3 areas are hard enough, plus you get the world itself - it will throw numerous challenges which could put you at wits end (literally and figuratively). Sure, the game will keep you asking "When will this nightmare end?", but that's the point of the survival game. You don't know. There are moments of downtime, but you allocate those times not for leisure, but for grinding to prepare for the next trial to come. And if this game has taught me anything: it's that if one thing doesn't get you killed, something else will.

SOUND/AUDIO 8/10 Straight to the point: the SFX makes sense and it matches the visuals so well - from quirky sounds of foraging different items to the funny incomprehensible honks the characters do when speaking. Although, some hint of bankground music would be nice to add to the ambiance - sometimes we need something to keep us vibing while doing repetitive tasks especially when you've been in the game for some long hours. VISUALS 8/10 Same like the audio, the visuals match the mood/vibe they are trying to portray in DST although it may not be so different from the previous game. My only wish was that there was an option display it not in the isometric view (or there is and I'm just unaware of it) since placement is important especially when you're trying to manage the resources you have gathered. We wouldn't want everything to catch on fire during the summer if everything is placed too close to one another. INTERFACE 9/10 Admittedly, if you're new to resource management in games, this could shock you (because it did shock me and I've played them before). It was still the early game and yet we started to have a lot of items already - it is part of the game tho, else you would be procrastinating to look for said items when you need them (big no-no). But, since this IS DST, best play it with someone who enjoys and is okay with the sole purpose of managing your inventory as it could save you a lot of time from opening all of the chests just to look for that one item you need. Crafting as well, yes it needs A LOT of getting used to. But there are times that is quite confusing as to which item is for what and you have to get a good look at them before venturing off else you'd be wasting time. Thankfully, the menus are easy to understand. GAMEPLAY 10/10 Despite the game's simple look, DST has A LOT of depth into it. Sure, you may be familiar with how the game works in the survival sense but along with the complexities of the times of day, the seasons, the variety of biomes and even the character you're using - all these add up to how the game would feel for you. The characters themselves are significantly different from one another due to their individuality (each with their pros and cons). This is also the same for your enemies, they get harder and they vary depending on a number of factors as well. You may have played the game for hours, but that doesn't guarantee that the game gets any less difficult than it is. CONCLUSION 8.75/10 At its core, DST is a survival game. But I see why people have been saying that it could trample the others of the same genre. While you reach the later stages of other games you begin to lose the "survival" aspects. And that's where DST proves people wrong. Oh, you think you're gonna build a massive empire? Think again. You have 3 things to focus on: your health, your sanity and your hunger. Managing these 3 areas are hard enough, plus you get the world itself - it will throw numerous challenges which could put you at wits end (literally and figuratively). Sure, the game will keep you asking "When will this nightmare end?", but that's the point of the survival game. You don't know. There are moments of downtime, but you allocate those times not for leisure, but for grinding to prepare for the next trial to come. And if this game has taught me anything: it's that if one thing doesn't get you killed, something else will.

BEST SURVIVAL GAME!?

I bought this game mainly because of the artstyle (i'm a sucker for distinct game artstyles) not knowing full well what i'm going into. My first attempt at surviving only lasted me a day and I expired helplessly. It's very challenging but also quite fun, especially with a friend who shares the same last 2 brain cells with you (strategy went out the window). We were so all over the place, we set the forest on fire after panicking and it crossed to our camp and burned all whatever effort we poured into building it.

I bought this game mainly because of the artstyle (i'm a sucker for distinct game artstyles) not knowing full well what i'm going into. My first attempt at surviving only lasted me a day and I expired helplessly. It's very challenging but also quite fun, especially with a friend who shares the same last 2 brain cells with you (strategy went out the window). We were so all over the place, we set the forest on fire after panicking and it crossed to our camp and burned all whatever effort we poured into building it.

Don't Starve: Together

Don't Starve: Together was the first survival/crafting game I enjoyed playing. I was never a Minecraft fan. So in other words, this is far more superior than Minecraft in my opinion. However, this doesn't mean that the game is easy. This game is brutal. Its as if Darksouls and Minecraft had a lovechild. This game will kick you in the gut with its difficulty. Every action has a consequence. Cut too many trees? A tree guardian might spawn near you. Digging graves for loot? Watch your insanity drain right before you! Killing too many critters for meat? Krampus will decide to pay you a visit! I advise that you play this game with friends. Why? Cause misery needs company. Get this game!

Don't Starve: Together was the first survival/crafting game I enjoyed playing. I was never a Minecraft fan. So in other words, this is far more superior than Minecraft in my opinion. However, this doesn't mean that the game is easy. 

This game is brutal. Its as if Darksouls and Minecraft had a lovechild. 

This game will kick you in the gut with its difficulty. Every action has a consequence. 
Cut too many trees? A tree guardian might spawn near you.
Digging graves for loot? Watch your insanity drain right before you!
Killing too many critters for meat? Krampus will decide to pay you a visit!

I advise that you play this game with friends. Why? Cause misery needs company.

Get this game!
 

Don't Starve: Together Review by Philip Tauschek

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