Back before Palworld, Once Human, Ark, and even The Forest, Rust made its debut, taking inspiration from the likes of DayZ to create a survival game that has stood the test of time. Even now, it remains one of Steam’s most-played, and it’s just risen back up the Valve charts with the launch of its new update. Rust Primitive strips away all the late-game technology and fancy modern conveniences to capture an experience where the satisfying simplicity of the early game lasts forever.
The Rust Primitive update is out now, and it’s helped the survival game climb up to number six on Steam’s most active list, just behind Marvel Rivals and the Monster Hunter Wilds beta. It’s a little less faithful to the medieval setting than Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, but it’s already proving to be a winner. Rather than being set in the past, this new mode takes place in “a distant future where the knowledge of high-tech items has been lost, leaving the inhabitants of the island only able to make basic items.”
The only allowed weapons in Primitive are melee, bow, compound bow, crossbow, mini crossbow, speargun, eoka pistols, beancan grenades, molotovs, and the flashlight attachment. Shields have been added as a backpack item that’s used automatically when you have a one-handed weapon equipped. You can only hold it up for four seconds at a time, so use it with care. The facemask and metal chest plate have been removed from the available armor, and adjustments have been made to resources and loot across the world.
Facepunch has stripped out the metal and armored building grades, along with armored doors and all rockets, C4, and explosive ammo. The underground train system is gone, as are modern monuments such as the oil rig, missile silo, excavator, and underwater labs. Scientist NPCs are also absent, although vendors remain, and you won’t see the Patrol Helicopter or Cargo Ship events. There are no helicopters, but in their place you’ll find double the usual wild horse spawns, and they’ve been dramatically overhauled to make them feel much better to use.
So what’s new? Four siege weapons have been introduced, and you’ll need sufficient materials and a hammer to put them together. The catapult launches three different high-impact projectiles: a multi-rock scattershot, a firebomb, or a propane explosive. It can also be used on players if you’re feeling brave. Firebombs and propane explosives can be placed down manually as well, although they’ll deal less damage this way.
The siege tower is low on mobility, requiring you to push it manually or tow it with a horse, but offers three levels of drawbridges to help you assault bases. The battering ram is an armored, fuel-powered vehicle you can drive around, using its reinforced arm to smash through wooden and stone constructions. Finally, the ballista is a gigantic crossbow on wheels. It offers four bolt types and can be moved using a horse, or deployed in your base as a stationary defensive tool.
The Rust Primitive update is out now. You can study the full details courtesy of Facepunch Studios before diving in for yourself.
It’s a good time for medieval games, so take a look through our top picks to see what we recommend. Alternatively, discover the best multiplayer games to play in 2025.
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