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0 Animalkind is a cozy crafting co-op now available in early access on PC. Play as a small, lovable quadruped summoned to a mysterious island with development and publishing by Uncommon Games. Explore the open world with the assistance of an ancient mech and develop a growing community, alone or with a trio of friends. It’s only available now in early access through Steam.
Animalkind of Adorable
I should really have shown this game to my daughter first to see her reaction. She loves games with animals as well as crafting games like Minecraft. Just the sight of the critters I’m sure will excite her to play. But anyhow, Animalkind looks pretty cute to me too so I thought I’d check it out. Let me tell you about it below.
Gameplay
Animalkind is an open world co-op crafting adventure where you become one with the small critters of this world. Alone or with the help of up to three other friends, you accomplish gathering and crafting with the help of an ancient mech. Because naturally crafting would be hard without opposable thumbs, right? So yes a nice higher being intelligence summons you and gives you a mech that they happen to find nearby. They also encourage you to explore the island and collect friends and data cubes to help restore the knowledgebase called FLOOF.
The usual survival and crafting games I play have a higher focus on simply surviving above all else. Animalkind is a nice change of pace because it very casual and free of those types of game stressors. Your mech, which is basically handed to you from the get-go (at least at the moment in early access), becomes your Swiss Army knife as you craft tools to assist in gathering resources around the island. Be sure to make it back in time for bed though since the downtime recharges your mech while you are sleeping. You may also use some of the resources you gather to craft goods to trade for the local currency: treats!
The first thing that really stood out to me in Animalkind was how buttery smooth the controls are. Early access games tend to have some range of clunkiness to them but there doesn’t seem to be any here. Actions and movement are responsive and regular, repetitive movements like getting in and out of your mech are not tedious and are quick. I especially enjoy hopping out of my mech in order to take my furry self into smaller areas that the mech can’t reach to discover treasures hidden within.
Graphics & Audio
Animalkind is only available on PC and I didn’t get a chance to try it out on my Steam Deck yet. The graphics and UI are clean and crisp so I’m sure it performs fairly well there too. I really do enjoy a UI that is not overly complex or confusing or hard on the eyes (I’m looking at you, Marathon). Everything feels simplified, but not in a way that makes you feel like you’re playing a game made for kids. Honestly though, I’m sure it would be great for them.
The music also provides Animalkind with a lighter feeling. It’s uplifting and bright in a way that suits the aesthetic perfectly. Sound effects and other in-game audio cues also are on point and appropriately quieter than you’d expect. Again with not having combat, there isn’t a need to have distinguishable audio cues apart from earmarking the gathering of resources.
Longevity
I’m not sure where the longevity is at currently with Animalkind. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of content in the game currently, but screenshots and trailers definitely show off more than I’ve encountered thus far. It may just be that my casual playtime with the game thus far has been just too casual to get to the bigger and better things. From what I’ve seen I’m sure Uncommon Games will have more than enough content to keep you busy in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Animalkind looks and plays like a great cozy crafting adventure. I’m sure once I get further in and have a chance to explore more areas and gather new friends, it will be even more enjoyable. Now in early access with an anticipated full release next year, check this one out if you like playing as a cute critter and building a place to call home.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here.
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