Key Takeaways
1. Unique Setting: Dinkum is set in the Australian outback, featuring local wildlife like kangaroos and crocodiles, differentiating it from similar games.
2. Extensive Customization: Players can reshape the land and create settlements, offering more freedom in building compared to games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley.
3. Survival Elements: The game incorporates hunting and survival mechanics, introducing real dangers and a need for resource gathering, unlike the calmer environments of its predecessors.
4. Multiplayer Collaboration: Dinkum supports online multiplayer for up to four players, allowing friends to work together to build and explore.
5. Positive Reception: The game has received favorable reviews, with 93% of over 19,000 Steam players rating it positively, though some players found the licensing system tedious.
If you like games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, you’ll probably find Dinkum enjoyable too. This farming game, crafted by James Bendon and launched by KRAFTON, Inc. in July 2022, is not just another clone. It carves out its own niche with a setting that takes inspiration from the Australian outback, which features kangaroos, crocodiles, and eucalyptus trees.
Build Your Dream Island
In Dinkum, you find yourself on a pristine island where you can start constructing a settlement from scratch. What starts as a basic tent eventually transforms into a lively village, complete with farms, shops, animal pens, and workshops. While Animal Crossing has much of its environment fixed in place and Stardew Valley restricts customization mainly to farming, Dinkum offers players a lot more freedom. You have the ability to reshape the land to your liking—rerouting rivers, leveling hills, or even raising terrain. The terraforming mechanics feel more akin to Minecraft than a typical life simulation game.
Survive and Thrive
One aspect that makes Dinkum different is its emphasis on hunting and survival. Unlike the mostly calm environments of Stardew Valley (apart from the mines) or Animal Crossing, Dinkum brings in real dangers. Wild creatures can be hostile, the heat can pose risks if you’re not equipped properly, and you need to gather food consistently. This survival element adds some tension and keeps the gameplay fresh. Additionally, the game features a comprehensive crafting system where you can make everything from campfires to windmills using resources you collect yourself. Plus, with online multiplayer, up to four players can collaborate to shape their world.
Overall Impressions
After spending 50 hours playing Dinkum, the gaming site Spielecheck left with a mostly favorable view. They praised the game’s relaxed yet varied gameplay, pointing out its strong “just one more task” allure that keeps players hooked for hours on end. However, in spite of Dinkum’s intricate crafting and survival elements, they thought it lacked truly innovative concepts. There was also some feedback regarding the licensing and control systems. Almost every in-game action requires a license, which can become tedious over time. Nonetheless, Spielecheck is not the only one who appreciates the game’s charm. Dinkum has received a positive response on Steam, where more than 19,000 players have reviewed it—93% of those reviews are favorable.
Typically, Dinkum is priced at about $20 on Steam, but from April 5 to 7, players have the chance to try it for free. If you like what you experience, you can purchase the full version at a 20% discount until April 10, reducing the price to around $16.
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