Smalland: Survive the Wilds - Big Adventures Awaiting Tiny Heroes
An expansive journey through Lilliputian landscapes
Early Access Review
last updated Jan 17, 2024
Embark on this diminutive odyssey, and you just might find yourself captivated by a world where a blade of grass is a skyscraper and a ladybug, a noble steed.
Thumb-Sized Tomfoolery
Dive into a captivating world where your character's diminutive stature adds a fresh dimension to the survival genre. Building mechanics are pleasantly reminiscent of established titans like Conan Exiles, while combat avoids the snooze-fest of repetitive clicking, demanding strategic thinking instead. The single Nourishment bar simplifies survival without dumbing it down, and the magical setting is the cherry on top. Taming and riding critters add layers of excitement, although at times you might wish for a touch of Dramamine when camera shake kicks in during stormy weather or heavy sword strikes.
An Auditory Ant-Hill Adventure
Musically speaking, the game hits you with majestic to mirthful tones that harmonize beautifully with the serene peril of being ant-sized. The audio scape complements the gameplay with precision – whether you're flight-bound on a dragonfly or engaged in a deadly dance with an irked beetle. And let us not overlook the storm music theme, which according to the community, is downright 'remarkable.' However, be warned: as thunder rolls, you may find yourself reaching for earplugs rather than an umbrella.
Microcosmic Eye Candy - Mostly
Graphics paint a picturesque landscape that humbles your miniature counterpart with its grandiosity. Performance mostly keeps pace, with a few players reporting framerate dips akin to tripping over a pebble when you're pocket-sized – frustrating but not a trip-ender. While some visual elements can hit high notes, akin to Grounded in a high-definition daydream, not all visuals are consistent in quality. The spectrum ranges from enthralling fauna to textures and models clamoring for a spit-shine.
Connectivity Conundrums
Onboarding friends for multiplayer mayhem is a breeze, with the seamless transfer of single-player to multiplayer progression being a noteworthy boon. There's an eagerness among players for enhanced character tracking and easier party integration to better manage the social aspect of survival. A dedicated server recently untethered from the shackles of anticipation has been received with cheers, expanding the horizons for communal creativity in base building and tactical tarantula taming.
Content Cravings
As you would anticipate from an Early Access title, there's a clamor for more: more building materials, more structures, more dungeons - simply more of everything. And who could blame them? When the game entices you with a taste of fantastical survival, you can't help but hunger for an all-you-can-eat buffet of content. Players are mostly pleased with the plentiful updates, yet they can't shake a gnawing feeling - like a squirrel dreaming of a walnut nirvana - for a future where the Early Access seed blossoms into a full-fledged gaming oak.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer & Publisher
Merge Games
Early Accesss Release Date
March 29, 2023
Verdict
Smalland: Survive the Wilds sweeps you off your tiny feet into a colossal world, brimming with survivalist shenanigans and creative camaraderie. It's like the Honey I Shrunk the Kids of the gaming universe, teasing you with a fantastical 'fae'-vor-flavored experience. While it's a tough miniature boot to fill, particularly with Grounded already on the scene, this game carves its niche with whimsical charm and inventive features like the Grappling Hook and flying with wings - not to mention the adorable jumping spiders. Is it worth the price of admission? The game's zeal for future flourishes and the developers' attentiveness to player feedback suggest a big 'yes,' even at its early stage. Embark on this diminutive odyssey, and you just might find yourself captivated by a world where a blade of grass is a skyscraper and a ladybug, a noble steed.
