Wild n Chill demo proves survival games don’t need to be a struggle

For someone like myself who, admittedly, rarely picks up titles of the cozier variety — which may be subject to change — and has no clue whatsoever about the intricacies of bushcraft, this charming, Walden-esque escapade proved to be a surprisingly well-crafted foray into the unknown.

Wombat Brawler’s (a rather misleading name for a studio focusing on a chill series of games, but I digress) Wild n Chill is a laid-back take on the survival genre, with a focus on comfort rather than struggle, something which is refreshing to see. Ideas of a healthy dose of solitude and simplicity are pervading throughout, stripping your needs back to the very basics; above all, you need to be well-rested, refreshed, and warm. A lesson, perhaps, in appreciating what we have. Those who have spent their time with the studio’s previous title, Cast n Chill, will find plenty familiar here, including a similar visual identity, an emphasis on chilling and exploring in equal measure, and similar mechanics; it’s shaping up to be something of a spiritual series, and I rather like the idea of that.

The gameplay reflects that same pared-back philosophy, and its repetitive nature may cause some to cut their adventures short in favor of something a little more stimulating — which would be rather unfortunate, considering the game is trying to get you to find comfort in simplicity and the quiet rhythms of the natural world. The majority of your time is spent gathering various resources, from wood to berries, and exploring your surroundings, as well as sneaking up to various creatures, hunting them is to be wholly optional, however, and you have the option of becoming a rugged sort of pacifist living in harmony with the world around you if you so wish. When it comes to crafting, it remains fairly pared-back, too.

The demo only allows you to meet one NPC, a strange, bearded fellow with whom you can trade your resources for supplies; he has a decidedly cryptic air around him, as you’d expect a guy living in a remote shack to be. According to the game’s Steam page, there are further oddball hermits to be encountered within the game, as well.

The pixel art style of the game is quietly delightful, especially when it comes to the dawn and daybreak. Never would I have thought that I’d be describing pixel art as “lush”, yet here we are.

As this is crucial information to some, I must also add that yes, you may also pet the dog, who proves to be a good boy indeed.

There are very few reservations so far, however, I must say that keepin’ the specific dialect all throughout the game can make ‘ya a little tired; it gets tedious rather than charming, and could have worked much better when kept strictly within character dialogue. The day-night cycle is also a touch short, and at times felt a little muddling — I’d like to do a little more than chop a couple of trees and re-fill my canteen over the span of, approximately, 12 in-game hours.

I also have some gripes with the FX mixing, as this is a game which utilizes mainly nature sounds with the occasional twang of a guitar, placing more emphasis on it would have done wonders to make the game more immersive and even more relaxing.

The full game is to include a multiplayer mode and a wide array of areas to be explored while completing a record of all the flora and fauna which you encounter on your way.

The release date for Wild n Chill is yet to be announced, but the game can be wishlisted on Steam now.

Daniel Butler