Open-World Survival Games Soar in Popularity Thanks to More Accessible Crafting and Co-Op Exploration
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Open-world survival crafting games like Palworld and Valheim are having a major moment in 2024, attracting millions of players.
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The genre removes some punishing mechanics like hunger/thirst to focus on exploration, building, and creativity.
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Survival crafting titles allow co-op play and give players freedom in a nonlinear experience.
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Quality-of-life improvements in games like Pacific Drive make crafting smoother for newcomers.
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With multiple intersecting systems and rewards, these games create compelling and “grind-y but not irritatingly grind-y” gameplay loops.