Smalland: Survive the Wilds

About Smalland: Survive the Wilds

Smalland: Survive the Wilds dropped on February 15, 2024, after a long development cycle. Merge Games built this indie title as an adventure and role-playing game where you shrink down to insect size. You start on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 with plans for more support. The story involves a vanguard leading your people back to the surface after generations of living underground. You navigate a world where puddles look like lakes and trees tower over you like skyscrapers. It is a single-player experience that also offers co-op multiplayer modes for playing with friends.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time running, jumping, and climbing while avoiding creatures that view you as food. Spiders, rats, lizards, and birds hunt you constantly, so you must craft weapons and armor to survive. The game features dynamic seasons and weather changes that alter the flora and fauna around you. You gather resources to build encampments, tame rideable creatures, and equip customizable outfits for better resistances. Exploring involves finding strange metallic monoliths from the past while managing your health against the elements. Sessions focus on gathering materials, upgrading gear, and surviving the constant threat of being eaten by something larger than you.

What Players Think

Players on PlayPile have logged an average playtime that suggests deep engagement with the survival mechanics. The community mood leans heavily toward cautious optimism as users share tips on taming creatures and navigating dangerous forests. IGDB lists a score of 73.3 out of 100 based on 11 ratings, reflecting a solid but flawed reception. Completion rates show many players stick around long enough to master the crafting system despite the steep difficulty curve early on. Review snippets often mention the unique scale of the world as a standout feature. Some users express frustration with the weather mechanics affecting health, while others praise the co-op experience when teaming up with friends.

PlayPile's Take

This game works best for players who enjoy survival crafting and do not mind a steep learning curve. The price point is currently attractive at $10.49 on Humble Store, which represents a 70 percent discount from the original cost. Achievements track your progress in taming creatures and building bases, offering clear goals to pursue. You should avoid this if you prefer fast-paced action over methodical resource gathering. The co-op mode adds real value when playing with a group, but solo play can feel punishing due to the enemy density. It is a solid survival title for those who want to explore a detailed world at their own pace without paying full price.

Storyline

"There was a time when we lived freely under the Sun and Moon, before the time of the giants. This history has passed down from generation to generation so we can see them again, even if only in dreams. But now we are ready to return to the surface and you, vanguard, will lead the way..." Traverse lake sized puddles, scale skyscraper sized trees, battle or tame creatures, discover the dense dark forests and the strange metallic monoliths left over from before. Discover hidden resources and craft armor, weapons, and shelters and more. Collect customizable outfits and armor that not only provide you with resistances and abilities, but also allow you to personalize as you team up with friends in a co-op PVE environment. Most of the creatures you encounter will see you as lower on the food chain - Birds, Rats, Lizards, and Spiders will all see you as a tasty food source! Weather conditions and seasons are in constant flux - this not only affects your health but also dynamically changes the flora and fauna of the world. If you want to survive for another day preparation is key!