Smalland: Survive the Wilds Review - A Tiny World of Giant Adventures

Smalland: Survive the Wilds throws players into a vast and dangerous world, but with a twist – you're absolutely minuscule! Imagine "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" meets a hardcore survival game, and you're on the right track. This intriguing premise, combined with deep crafting systems and a surprisingly rich world, makes Smalland a unique and compelling experience.

Game Information
        Developer:
        Merge Games
    
        Publisher:
        Merge Games
    
        Release Date:
        February 15, 2024
    
        Platforms:
        PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

A World of Wonder (and Danger)

From the moment you step into the overgrown backyard, the sense of scale is breathtaking. Towering blades of grass become dense forests, puddles transform into treacherous lakes, and even the smallest insects pose a significant threat. This fresh perspective on the familiar is one of Smalland's greatest strengths. Imagine gazing up at a dandelion as if it were a mighty tree, or navigating a puddle teeming with water boatmen like it's the Atlantic Ocean. It's this constant sense of wonder and vulnerability that truly sets Smalland apart.

The world itself is beautifully realised, with lush environments that beg to be explored. Each blade of grass, each dewdrop on a leaf, is rendered with meticulous detail. Diverse biomes, from sun-dappled meadows to eerie, darkened forests, offer unique challenges and resources. The dynamic weather system adds another layer of immersion, with sudden downpours transforming the environment and creating new hazards. One minute you might be basking in the warm glow of the sun, the next you're battling torrential rain and scrambling for shelter to avoid drowning.

But beauty can be deceiving. This world is as dangerous as it is captivating. Giant ants patrol their territory with aggressive intent, spiders lurk in the shadows, and even the humble ladybug can become a formidable foe if you're not careful. Learning to navigate this perilous landscape, identifying threats, and adapting to the ever-changing conditions is crucial for survival.

Crafting and Building: The Heart of Survival

Smalland places a strong emphasis on crafting and building, and it's here that the game truly shines. Gathering resources is a constant necessity, with every stick, stone, and fibre playing a vital role in your survival. The crafting system is incredibly extensive, offering a vast array of tools, weapons, armour, and building materials to discover.

Experimentation is key. Combining different resources unlocks new recipes and allows you to create increasingly complex and powerful items. Need a sturdy axe to chop down trees? Craft one from flint and wood. Want to protect yourself from the elements? Fashion some armour from the shell of a beetle. The possibilities are vast, and the satisfaction of creating something new and useful is immense.

Building your first base is a rite of passage in Smalland, and the game provides ample freedom for customisation. Will you construct a cosy treetop hideaway, nestled amongst the leaves and branches? Or perhaps a fortified ground-level base, designed to withstand attacks from the local wildlife? Whether you prefer a simple shelter or a sprawling fortress, Smalland gives you the tools to bring your vision to life.

Taming the Wilds

One of the most unique and exhilarating aspects of Smalland is the ability to tame and ride various creatures. Imagine soaring through the skies on the back of a bumblebee, surveying the world from a whole new perspective. Or perhaps charging into battle atop a fearsome wolf spider, its powerful legs carrying you across the terrain with incredible speed.

Taming these creatures is no easy feat. It requires patience, skill, and a deep understanding of their behaviour. You'll need to learn their preferred food, their temperament, and the best way to approach them without triggering their aggression. But the rewards are well worth the effort. Once tamed, these creatures become loyal companions, aiding you in exploration, combat, and resource gathering.

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Multiplayer Mayhem

While Smalland can be a rewarding solo experience, the game truly comes alive in multiplayer. Teaming up with friends to explore, build, and conquer the wilds adds a whole new layer of fun and excitement. Imagine coordinating attacks on giant creatures with your friends, each player wielding different weapons and abilities. Or working together to construct a massive, shared base, complete with individual living quarters and communal crafting areas.

The game supports up to 10 players, allowing for large-scale cooperative adventures. Sharing resources, dividing tasks, and strategizing together creates a sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment that's hard to beat. Whether you're exploring the unknown, battling formidable foes, or simply building your dream home in the wilderness, Smalland's multiplayer offers endless possibilities for cooperative gameplay.Challenges and Frustrations

While Smalland offers a captivating experience, it's not without its challenges. The difficulty curve can be steep, especially for newcomers to the survival genre. Death comes quickly, and losing your hard-earned gear can be frustrating.

The game also suffers from occasional performance issues and bugs, which can be particularly annoying during intense combat encounters or when exploring the more demanding areas of the map.

Challenges and Frustrations

While Smalland offers a captivating experience, it's not without its challenges. The difficulty curve can be quite steep, especially for newcomers to the survival genre. Death comes swiftly in this unforgiving world, and losing your hard-earned gear can be a bitter pill to swallow. Learning to manage your hunger, thirst, and stamina, while also avoiding the numerous dangers lurking around every corner, takes time and dedication.

The game also suffers from occasional performance issues and bugs, which can be particularly frustrating during intense combat encounters or when exploring the more demanding areas of the map. These technical hiccups can disrupt the flow of gameplay and detract from the overall experience.

Overall Impression

Smalland: Survive the Wilds is a unique and engaging survival game that offers a fresh perspective on the genre. The miniature world is beautifully realised, the crafting system is deep and rewarding, and the ability to tame and ride creatures adds a whole new dimension to gameplay. While the difficulty and occasional technical hiccups can be frustrating, the overall experience is captivating and well worth exploring.

Should you play it?

If you're a fan of survival games and looking for a fresh and unique experience, Smalland: Survive the Wilds is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a challenge! If the next step is picking this one up, find our beginner’s guide here!

Pros

Unique and immersive miniature world
Deep crafting and building systems
Rewarding creature taming and riding
Fun and engaging multiplayer experience

Cons

Steep difficulty curve
Occasional performance issues and bugs

7.5

Overall Score

Smalland: Survive the Wilds Review - A Tiny World of Giant Adventures