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Kenshi

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2018

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Quick resume

A free-roaming squad based RPG. Focusing on open-ended sandbox gameplay features rather than a linear story. Be a trader, a thief, a rebel, a warlord, an adventurer, a farmer, a slave, or just food for the cannibals. Train your men up from puny victims to master warriors.

Global score

96/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Adventure

Pros

  • Extreme player freedom and autonomy
  • Deep emergent gameplay and storytelling
  • Large, immersive open world
  • Complex skill and progression system
  • Strong modding community enhancing experience

Cons

  • Dated graphics and clunky ui
  • Performance issues and bugs
  • Steep learning curve and initial difficulty
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features
  • Tedious micromanagement and grind

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    5

    "Players have full freedom to choose actions, build bases anywhere, recruit and manage characters, and pursue any playstyle without linear constraints."

  • Competence
    4

    "Game features skill-based progression requiring players to learn and improve through repeated attempts and mastery of complex mechanics."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and survival rather than direct competition with other players; no PvP or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    5

    "Highly addictive with hundreds of hours played, players invest long sessions building and managing their factions."

  • Cooperation
    3

    "Players recruit and manage multiple characters working together; cooperation is within player-controlled squads rather than multiplayer."

  • Creativity
    5

    "Strong emphasis on player creativity in base building, crafting, roleplaying, and emergent storytelling."

  • Domination
    2

    "Players can dominate NPC factions, enslave others, and impose their will, but interactions are balanced with emergent consequences."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game as an immersive escape into a harsh, post-apocalyptic world with emergent stories."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and curiosity, with no external obligations or pressures."

  • Experimenting
    5

    "The game encourages trying different strategies, roles, and emergent gameplay without fixed paths."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Large open world with many secrets, factions, and locations to discover driven by player curiosity."

  • Expression
    4

    "Players customize characters, build unique bases, and roleplay stories, expressing themselves in the sandbox."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Set in a fictional post-apocalyptic world with unique races and lore, blending realism with fantasy elements."

  • Fellowship
    1

    "Some social interaction through NPC companions and factions, but primarily a single-player experience."

  • Growth
    5

    "Strong focus on learning, skill development, and personal progression through gameplay."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; players often endure long sessions."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires sustained attention and micromanagement; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -4

    "Limited emotional or close social connections; interactions are mostly functional and strategic."

  • Leadership
    4

    "Players lead and manage groups of characters, directing their actions and development."

  • Progression
    5

    "Clear progression through acquiring resources, upgrading gear, building bases, and expanding influence."

  • Relaxation
    -1

    "Game can be tense and challenging but also offers moments of flow and satisfaction."

  • Sensation
    1

    "Visuals are dated and subdued; sensory stimulation comes more from emergent gameplay than graphics."

  • Status
    1

    "Recognition is mostly internal or through community; no social status systems in-game."

  • Story
    4

    "Emergent narrative driven by player actions and world events rather than scripted plot."

  • Strategy
    5

    "Requires planning, resource management, tactical combat, and strategic decision-making."

  • Thrill
    4

    "High stakes survival and combat create suspense and excitement."

  • Value
    5

    "Players report high value for time invested due to depth, replayability, and emergent experiences."

  • Violence
    4

    "Combat and violence are central, including brutal fights, slavery, and destruction."

  • Survival
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around survival, avoiding death, managing resources, and overcoming threats."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026