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Plains of Pain

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2023

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Quick resume

Survive a brutal open world alone or with friends. Explore a procedural wasteland scorched by chaos. Build and defend your base, trade for what you need, complete deadly quests, and fight to claim faction outposts before someone else does.

Global score

84/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Massively Multiplayer, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Early Access

Pros

  • Immersive post-apocalyptic setting
  • Deep survival and crafting mechanics
  • Frequent developer updates
  • Support for solo and multiplayer co-op
  • Addictive gameplay loop

Cons

  • Low multiplayer population
  • Clunky inventory and building systems
  • Early access bugs and crashes
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Some grind and repetition

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to explore, build bases, craft, and choose playstyle in a harsh open world."

  • Competence
    4

    "Game is challenging with skill trees, survival mechanics, combat, and crafting requiring mastery."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is mostly on solo or cooperative play with little active competitive multiplayer due to low player base."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Many users report long play sessions and addiction despite grind and difficulty."

  • Cooperation
    3

    "Supports multiplayer co-op and community servers with base building and resource sharing."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players can build bases, craft vehicles, and customize settlements, though building system has limitations."

  • Domination
    -2

    "Some PvP and raiding possible but low player counts limit domination dynamics; cooperative play emphasized."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Immersive post-apocalyptic world offers strong escape from real life stress and routine."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, no evidence of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players explore mechanics, test survival strategies, and experiment with crafting and base building."

  • Exploration
    4

    "Procedurally generated maps and dynamic events encourage discovery and curiosity."

  • Expression
    2

    "Some character customization and vehicle upgrades exist, but limited cosmetic options."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Post-apocalyptic fiction with imaginative vehicles and factions, though grounded in survival realism."

  • Fellowship
    3

    "Community interaction via multiplayer servers and Discord; cooperative play and shared goals."

  • Growth
    4

    "Skill trees, crafting progression, and learning survival mechanics provide personal development."

  • Health
    -3

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some players report long continuous sessions."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires constant attention due to survival mechanics, combat, and resource management."

  • Intimacy
    1

    "Some social interaction in multiplayer but limited evidence of close emotional relationships."

  • Leadership
    2

    "Players can manage bases and settlements, but no strong evidence of formal leadership roles."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, crafting upgrades, and base/vehicle development."

  • Relaxation
    -2

    "Gameplay is tense and challenging with survival pressure and threats, not focused on relaxation."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Atmospheric visuals and sound design create immersive sensory experience, though graphics are basic."

  • Status
    -2

    "Low player population limits social recognition and status seeking."

  • Story
    2

    "Some quests and faction narratives exist but overall open-ended with no main plot yet."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Requires planning for survival, combat tactics, base building, and resource management."

  • Thrill
    3

    "Survival tension, meteor showers, and hostile encounters provide suspense and excitement."

  • Value
    4

    "Players feel they get good value for price with many hours of gameplay and active development."

  • Violence
    3

    "Combat with enemies and PvP elements involve destruction and fighting."

  • Survival
    5

    "Core gameplay revolves around managing threats, resources, and staying alive in harsh conditions."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026