Hold Your Own
" Immersive open-world survival FPS with robust crafting and base building but frequent bugs and grinding "
Hold Your Own Review
Hold Your Own is a survival crafting game with a turbulent development history, marked by initial abandonment and later revival by a new developer. Players appreciate the game's robust crafting system, AI presence, and island-based exploration, which includes vehicles like boats and helicopters. The game offers quests, farming, base building, and combat against AI enemies, providing a blend of challenge and progression. Despite its potential and improvements, the game suffers from bugs, performance issues, and an inconsistent update schedule. The community is divided between those excited by the active development under the new dev and those frustrated by past abandonment and grind-heavy gameplay.
While the new developer has made significant strides in fixing bugs and adding content, some players remain skeptical about the game's future due to periods of silence and incomplete features. Overall, Hold Your Own appeals to survival game enthusiasts who enjoy crafting and exploration but should be approached with tempered expectations given its early access status and ongoing development challenges.
Highlights
Players praise the crafting and building mechanics, which strike a balance between complexity and accessibility. The quest system adds direction uncommon in survival games. The AI enemies and NPC traders enhance immersion and gameplay variety. Graphics and environmental design receive positive remarks for being realistic and visually appealing. Island exploration with vehicles like boats and helicopters adds depth and excitement. The new developer's active engagement and frequent updates have revitalized the game, generating optimism among the community.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include abandonment and inconsistent updates leading to player distrust. The game is noted for performance issues, bugs, and glitches that impact playability. Many find the grind excessive and tedious, with resource gathering and crafting requiring unrealistic quantities. Combat is described as unbalanced, with enemies being bullet sponges and hitboxes problematic. The lack of features like a map, sleeping mechanics, and more base customization options also detract from the experience. Some players find the story and quest variety limited, reducing long-term engagement.
Pros
- • Robust crafting and building system with diverse tools and structures.
- • Quest system provides clear goals and progression.
- • AI enemies and NPC traders add life and challenge.
- • Island-based exploration with vehicles enhances gameplay variety.
- • Graphics and environment are realistic and visually appealing.
- • Active developer engagement with frequent updates and bug fixes.
- • Ability to farm and raise animals enriches survival mechanics.
Cons
- • Game was abandoned for long periods causing player distrust.
- • Performance issues and bugs frequently disrupt gameplay.
- • Excessive grinding with unrealistic resource requirements.
- • Combat mechanics unbalanced; enemies are often bullet sponges.
- • Limited base customization and decorative options.
- • Lack of map and fast travel options frustrate exploration.
- • No sleeping mechanic forces players to endure long nights.
Rating Criteria
A single player open world sandbox, crafting and survival FPS game set in a multi-island land where you'll fight to survive. Build your base, hunt and craft to defend yourself from aggressive wildlife, enemies or friends. Do you have what it takes to Hold Your Own?