Don't Starve: Giant Edition (Xbox One) Review

Don't Starve: Giant Edition does indeed live up to its "giant" qualifier. The absurd challenge and skin-of-the-teeth survival gameplay on display within is palpable, since the sense of friction is always at odds with any of the unlockable characters, of which there are more than ten. Each personality is unique and comes with its own quirks and challenges, whether it be the lumberjack, who can transform into a "Werebeaver" during a full moon, or a pyromaniac with the benefit of starting off with a lighter in hand. It's a diverse cast with a lot to work with in terms of gameplay, and each one has been carefully balanced to make for unique experiences in every playthrough. The starting character is a regular gentleman scientist - who, by the way, can grow an impressive beard for surviving the brutal winter. He may have humble beginnings, but over time will eventually learn to craft axes, or even protective suits to endure the hostile wilderness.

Despite the varied cast with their unique stats, the core game always focuses on survival. Of course, some characters are only there for added challenge, but the gameplay is essentially the same for all of them: mainly crafting from resources found on the field, or hunting. It is best compared to cult PlayStation game Tail of the Sun (albeit more competent), since both games focus on accumulating items, being mindful of predators, and watching out for the wellbeing of the character's stats. Since so much of this game relies on a randomly generated map and item placement, it is expected that there will be a long grind; such is the main appeal of a game like this. It can be genuinely satisfying when a certain "groove" is hit and a steady momentum is gained, as assets and resources pile up, only to be devoured as the winter decimates everything.

Don't Starve was designed first and foremost as a PC game, and the UI makes this painfully obvious. While the analogue stick movement is actually quite fluid and easy to use, the various menus or inventory screens (which will be used a lot) were sadly not optimised for a console controller. It is unclear if Don't Starve: Giant Edition could ever have a truly efficient inventory system for a gamepad, given how the game's design requires that there be access to a vast pool of resources for immediate retrieval; life and death can sometimes hinge on seconds in this kind of game, as time is in itself a resource, owing to the day and night cycle. When the sun sets, the more dangerous animals come out to play, and maintaining sanity and keeping a fire going are a constant drain on resources. With a standard controller, this has the potential to get somewhat tedious, as scrolling through dozens of items and resources takes up precious seconds, especially when Wilson the Professor is being pursued by a relentless horde of shadow creatures.

Don't Starve: Giant Edition also includes the Reign of Giants DLC, which entails a few new characters as well as making an already difficult game even harder. The differences between seasons are more pronounced, as each comes with its own new conditions. In addition to a few new characters and bosses, there is also a vast difference in the way how the game is played on a fundamental level, due to all the tweaks to the gameplay and balance, making this more or less the best way to play the game. Don't Starve: Giant Edition is worth the asking price, as long as the player can see themselves adjusting to an interface that is less than ideal - though over time it can prove to be adequate, it is disappointing that the developers did not take the initiative to design a new, and more fluid, menu system.