Necesse

Necesse is a captivating indie sandbox RPG that masterfully blends elements from Terraria, Rimworld, and Stardew Valley into a unique top-down experience. Players engage in exploration, crafting, base-building, combat, and colony management within a procedurally generated world. The game’s intuitive building system and dynamic settler automation allow for deep strategic planning and creativity, making resource management and defense engaging and accessible.

Combat is action-oriented with a variety of weapons and equipment, complemented by boss fights and diverse biomes. The colony system is praised for its depth, where settlers autonomously contribute to the settlement’s growth and defense, creating a lively and interactive environment. The pixel art style is charming, supported by an atmospheric soundtrack that enhances immersion.

While the game is still in early access, it is polished with frequent updates and an active developer community. Minor issues include occasional AI pathing quirks, some clunky mechanics in wiring/traps, and a lack of comprehensive tutorials. Overall, Necesse offers a rich, addictive experience for fans of sandbox and RPG hybrids.

Highlights

Players highly praise Necesse’s unique blend of colony management and action RPG combat, which sets it apart from similar titles. The intuitive building mechanics and automation of settlers handling resource gathering and inventory are standout features that enhance gameplay flow.

The pixel art graphics are charming and clear, complemented by a well-crafted soundtrack that adds atmosphere. The game’s open-ended progression and variety of biomes, bosses, and crafting options keep players engaged. Additionally, the active and responsive development team is appreciated for regular updates and community interaction.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include settler AI pathfinding issues where NPCs get stuck or behave inefficiently, especially around traps and walls. Some players find the trap and wiring systems clunky and underwhelming in late game scenarios. The game’s lack of comprehensive tutorials or in-game explanations for complex mechanics like resistance and settler management can create a steep learning curve.

Additionally, some feel the class balance favors ranged and mage builds over melee in late game. The procedural generation occasionally leads to repetitive terrain, and multiplayer can suffer from minor connectivity or balancing issues.