Don't Starve: Giant Edition
Overview -
'Don’t Starve' was first released in 2013 for PC. It has since been ported to several other platforms, including the PS4, PS3, Vita, and Wii U. (Check out the PS4 review here.) In 2014, an expansion was released, called 'Reign of Giants'. A separate, multiplayer-only game called 'Don’t Starve Together' has been available in Steam’s Early Access for the better part of a year. A second expansion, called 'Shipwrecked', is being co-developed by Capybara Games ('Super Time Force') and will release this fall for PC. This Xbox One version combines the base game and the 'Reign of Giants' expansion.
Video Review
'Don’t Starve' has an art style that could best be described as eccentric. It resembles steampunk, Lovecraft, Poe, and plucky hand-drawn animation, all rolled into one. It’s not beautiful in a technical sense, and some of the objects tend to pixelate, but it’s still a lovely portrait.
Audio Review
Each character has their own musical instrument that plays when they "speak" (i.e., text appears above their head while their mouths move). There is no voice acting. The music resembles carnival fare, even calliope at times. It is fun and whimsical, in stark contrast with the rather dark gameplay and constant threat of imminent death.
Final Thoughts
Like its forebears, 'Don’t Starve: Giant Edition' on the Xbox One is a delectable survival experience, and the included 'Reign of Giants' content does a great job of growing the experience. The game is tough, and the permadeath can be discouraging if you have spent several in-game weeks or months on an epic crafting bender, but it is worth the pain.
