Take the Fallout games’ ramshackle survival in a broken-down apocalypse, fuse it with the cozy farming and lifestyle sim elements of Stardew Valley, and set the whole thing in a stunningly rendered 2D pixel-art world with the exploration and combat style of Terraria. What you’ve got is Doloc Town, a beautiful new sandbox game that tasks you with surviving in a forgotten wasteland, doing your best to stay alive and rebuild as you uncover the secrets of the world and take on its deadliest inhabitants. This delightful indie game is one to watch, and best of all you can try it right now thanks to a Steam demo.
Created by RedSaw Games Studio, Doloc Town is a blend of farming, platforming, and survival set in a broken-down but beautiful “post-apocalyptic oasis.” You start out by gathering the basics you need to survive, and hopefully getting some crops growing – you’ll have to ensure they’re fed, watered, and protected from overly harsh weather conditions. Expect all the freedom you want from the best sandbox games to build out your base, crafting additional tools to help you explore the environment.
Exploring the world and fighting enemies most immediately reminds me of Terraria, especially as it escalates into battles against some of the more dangerous threats scattered across the world. Survival means ensuring your gear and weapons are up to scratch through upgrades and modifications. You can even build a drone companion that will accompany you on your journey and help you tackle any troublemakers.
Eventually, you’ll make your way to the eponymous Doloc Town, a Diamond City-style sanctuary built among the debris from the wreckage of buildings, trains, and bridges. There, you’ll meet the local townsfolk, trade with them for resources, or settle down for a drink to hear their stories of the wasteland. Perhaps one resident might even lead you towards some of the land’s more curious locations, or tease potential secrets and hidden chambers.
A free demo for Doloc Town is available now on Steam. It’s the first time the game has been publicly playable, and is estimated to last approximately three hours if you want to see everything on offer. RedSaw asks anyone who has feedback on their experience to fill out its survey. “The team has been working so hard polishing up the gameplay and delivering updates minutes before the demo release,” it says, adding that updates will roll out to address any key issues that may arise.
We’ve got plenty more to check out while you wait for the full version, including the best indie games in 2024 as well as the best RPGs on PC.
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