Donut County

About Donut County

Donut County is a quirky physics-based puzzle game where you play as a hole that swallows objects to grow. Developed by Ben Esposito and published by Annapurna Interactive, it launched in 2018 on PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, Android, and iOS. The game follows BK, a raccoon who drives holes to steal trash, only to fall into his own creation and uncover a surreal underground world. With adventure and puzzle elements, it blends absurd humor and clever mechanics. Players navigate 2D levels by expanding the hole to collect items, interacting with eccentric characters. The story unfolds through dialogue and environmental storytelling. Ideal for fans of offbeat narratives and physics-driven challenges.

Gameplay

You control BK, a raccoon who manipulates a growing hole to swallow objects. Each level is a physics puzzle where you expand the hole to collect items, triggering chain reactions. The goal is to swallow entire scenes, often requiring precise timing and object placement. For example, knocking a trash can into the hole might destabilize a building, creating a domino effect. Controls are simple, mouse or touch-based for PC/mobile, buttons for consoles, but require finesse. The single-player campaign spans 15 chapters, each with escalating complexity. Dialogue and environmental clues advance the story. The gameplay loops around trial-and-error, balancing humor with problem-solving. It’s short, but each level feels distinct due to the shifting physics and character interactions.

What Players Think

Donut County holds a 75.8/100 on IGDB with 218 ratings, reflecting polarized opinions. Community moods lean playful and curious, with praise for its originality and charm. Average playtime is ~6 hours, and 63% of players complete the game. Critics highlight its inventive premise but note a steep drop in difficulty after mid-campaign. One review called it “a cult classic in the making,” while others found the later puzzles frustrating. The game’s 112 achievements (100% completion) are achievable in under 10 hours. Despite mixed feedback, it’s a niche hit among indie puzzle fans. Its quirky tone and physics experimentation stand out, even if the difficulty curve feels uneven.

PlayPile's Take

Donut County is a quirky experiment that works better in concept than execution. It’s best for players who enjoy surreal narratives and physics puzzles with humor. At $19.99 (PC price), it’s a low-risk try for indie fans, but the difficulty spikes may test patience. The 10-hour playtime and 112 achievements make it rewarding for completionists, though the mid-game slowdown is a hurdle. If you like absurdity and don’t mind a bumpy ride, it’s worth a spin. Otherwise, pass. The charm is undeniable, but the polish is uneven.

Storyline

Raccoons have taken over Donut County with remote-controlled trash-stealing holes. You play as BK, a hole-driving raccoon who swallows up his friends and their homes to earn idiotic prizes. When BK falls into one of his own holes, he’s confronted by his best friend Mira and the residents of Donut County, who are all stuck 999 feet underground… and they demand answers!