A desert that wishes you no good at all, and a squad that learns to survive by getting torn apart.

The gut pick already leans favourable: Kenshi lands ahead of roughly two thirds of games. And one line climbs higher still, the desert island question, ahead of more than 80% of the field, though on few votes, so treat it as early signal. Fun follows right behind, ahead of 80% of titles, which is what a sandbox you get lost in looks like. But the contrast elsewhere is brutal. Controller feel sits very low, ahead of under 10% of games. So does the soundtrack. And attachment, also near the floor, which surprises for a game where you carry your wounded home on your back. There is the tension: a world you would take with you without hesitating, that makes no effort to charm your hands or your ears. The art style lands just below the middle.

In the RPG sandbox, Kenshi plays its own tune. No story, no hero, no help. You are a nobody, and everything you become, you tore out of the world yourself. Few games keep that promise this coldly.

So, who is it for? For you if you love writing your own story, taking the hits, starting over, building. Much less so if you expect comfort, a clean interface and an easy first hour.