Rust
" Intense action-adventure MMO RPG with deep survival and crafting but steep learning curve "
Rust Review
Rust is a brutal, intense multiplayer survival game that drops players naked into a harsh, post-apocalyptic world where the primary goal is to survive by any means necessary. The game features deep survival mechanics including resource gathering, crafting, base-building, and combat. Its emergent gameplay driven by player interactions—alliances, betrayals, and raids—creates a dynamic and unpredictable experience. The gunplay and building systems are praised for their depth and responsiveness, while regular updates keep the game fresh and evolving.
However, Rust has a steep learning curve and a notoriously toxic community, especially on official servers. Offline raiding and griefing are major pain points for many players, often requiring significant time investment and teamwork to succeed. Performance and bugs still exist but have improved over time. Overall, Rust is a game of extremes—rewarding and addictive for those who embrace its challenges, but frustrating and punishing for others. It is best enjoyed with friends or on moderated servers that reduce toxicity.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Rust's deep and immersive survival mechanics, including resource management, base building, and intense PvP combat. The game’s dynamic player-driven interactions—from alliances to betrayals—add unique unpredictability and excitement. The building system is highly customizable and the gunplay is considered solid and skill-based. Additionally, the game benefits from regular updates and a thriving modding community, which keep content fresh and engaging. The expansive open world with diverse biomes and monuments also enhances exploration and strategy.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on Rust's steep learning curve that can frustrate new players, alongside a toxic and hostile community that often makes solo play difficult. Offline raiding and base destruction while players are offline are frequent sources of dissatisfaction, leading to a sense of unfairness. Performance issues and bugs still affect gameplay, especially on lower-end hardware. Many players also note that the game demands a significant time investment, which can be a barrier for casual gamers. Some feel the PvP focus overshadows potential PvE elements.
Pros
- • Deep and rewarding survival mechanics with crafting and resource gathering.
- • Highly customizable and creative base-building system.
- • Intense and skill-based PvP combat and raiding.
- • Dynamic and unpredictable player interactions create emergent gameplay.
- • Regular content updates keep the game fresh and evolving.
- • Expansive open world with diverse biomes and challenging monuments.
- • Thriving modding community adds variety and customization.
Cons
- • Steep learning curve can be intimidating for new players.
- • Toxic community and griefing common on official servers.
- • Offline raiding leads to frustration and loss of progress.
- • Performance issues and bugs still present, especially on low-end PCs.
- • Requires large time investment to compete effectively.
- • Solo play can be lonely and difficult against clans.
- • Game can feel punishing and grind-heavy at times.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night.
Rust now enters its 11th year of continued expansion and has had over 385 content updates, with a guaranteed content patch every month. These include regular balance fixes and improvements to AI, and graphics, as well as updates to environments and the frequent addition of content such as new maps, more weapons, extra vehicles, and a plethora of utility items. Keep an eye out for regular seasonal events, as there’s always something interesting or dangerous (or both) happening on the island.
Updates to the game include:
Procedurally generated worlds with community map editor support
Host your own servers and with server-side modding support
Transportation: horses, modular cars, hot air balloons, helicopters, bikes, trains, boats, and more
Complex electrical, farming and automation systems
Base Building and Raiding
New factions, enemies, and wildlife
New monuments, terrain, and areas to explore
Advanced underwater areas to discover
Musical instruments and the ability to perform to players
Large overground and underground train networks
Massive recent graphics upgrade and environment overhaul
New for 2025 - The Primitive Update - Featuring new Siege Weapons, Shields, and a new game mode
...and much more
EXPLORE
You wake naked on a mysterious island, armed only with a rock and a torch. You’ll need to brave environmental dangers and deficiencies (from heat and cold to thirst and starvation), build a shelter, eat (or be eaten), and scavenge materials. Explore the island and its abandoned settlements, mysterious monuments, and the factions that occupy them.
But, above all, watch out for other survivors…
BUILD
Design and build bases to store your loot, defend your territory, and control the resources of the island. Research the tech tree, grow farms, command electricity, and commandeer various forms of transportation to traverse the island. Whatever it takes to get ahead.
SURVIVE
There are no rules in Rust but the ones you make for yourself. Craft tools, armour, and weapons to defend yourself. Cooperate with friends, make alliances, and build a settlement together. Explore the island and what’s happening in it, trade with other players, or prey on them, raiding their bases and taking their hard-won goods.
PC Gamer
“Usually, people will just kill you on sight, but not always.”
Rock Paper Shotgun
“For competitive players who want a mix of survival and crafting, Rust is the best there is”
IGN
The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife, other inhabitants, the environment, and other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night.
