Don't Wreck - Some strange feelings

[DreamApart]

It is exciting that this new DLC has come about, and I have always loved this game.

 

But still there is something, some feelings not getting well in this new game.

The feeling is subtle, I don't know if I can get myself understood well, but I'll try.

 

                                                                                                                                       

 

The game was called Don't Starve.

It is not telling you only to aim against starvation. Not to starve is more like a warning rather than a goal. Starving is only one of the deaths. It implies that you are lonely and may die in wild.

 

You feel confused, helpless, lonely, panic and threatened, from every part of the game, and they fit together so well, just like the setting, a well performed drama!

 

But now, it has become Don't (get) Wreck(ed). And what I mean is not a balance issue.

Although the game is harder, the atmosphere is so relaxing, and you feel that you die because you seek for the challenge, not because you are threatened everywhere. There is nothing wrong feeling relaxed, but the problem is that things are not well consistent any more.

 

 

Shadow creatures

 

• You see shadow creatures when you go insane.
• You go insane because of the fear and having to do inhuman things.
• You do inhuman things because you are desperate.

 

But this has changed

 

1. Let's see what drains your sanity:

 

Eating bad food

First, you are not really desperate, because starving is not the problem anymore.

This is not a balance issue, it is the vacation-like atmosphere. If it is a vacation, it means that you tried to seek for challenge, and that won't drive you mad. And it's common sense that starving is not the real problem on the sea.

 

Darkness 

In the old game, at first everywhere were darkness and unknowns. Threats might be anytime, but you just never knew when. You might want to fight, but what a pity you couldn't, because you didn't know what to fight. It was the fear killing him, rather than the monsters.

And secondly, Wilson wasn't ready for this. All his own life were gone.

These are reasons that drives him insane.

 

But now, danger and challenges happens all the time. This keeps you fighting for your, it might be painful for your body, but not your mind. Only fear for death won't drive you mad, especially when you are prepared for warrior's death.

 

Getting Wet

Moisture is more annoying rather than insane-driving. 

This does feel bad, may drive you "mad". But this "mad" is more similar to "angry" rather than "insane". And there is a clear difference between them.

(This issue also exists in RoG.)

 

Eating mushrooms, casting magic, Slot machine

No problem, make good sense.

Just change the quote saying "it is a waste of time" for slot machine. It makes better sense that the drain is because the slot machine gives you an unpleasant feeling for possibly producing unknown bad results, and the fearsome feeling wondering who make this and put it here. (Sorry, don't know if this sentence reads well, English is not my mother language)

 

2. What are shadow creatures

From what we explored in the cave/ruins, we know that shadow creatures are not just illusions.

So that should mean that even when you are in the ocean, everything are still under control of "them".

But there's barely anything sign showing that everything is still under control. Without the presence of shadow creatures, you barely remember that there were "them".

(Event if they want to bait you into thinking you are free, they shouldn't send shadow creatures to attack.)

 

Hounds attack

 

This is strange... Why will you get attacked by hounds when your are in an island?

But I think this probably will be changed this in future.

 

 

 

 

There are what I have thought of so far. What I said are quite intuitional and subtle, so this is probably not the complete list of reasons that gave me the feelings of inconsistency. Please share your point if feel something similar to mine.

[Ixmore]

Well one of the devs (during the Cave update live stream) pointed out that the reasons your taking all these risked is just so you Don't Starve

[DreamApart]

Well one of the devs (during the Cave update live stream) pointed out that the reasons your taking all these risked is just so you Don't Starve

 

That sounds like right, but also kinda ... superficial.

At least some risks are taken just because Wilson is so curious.

 

 

 

Wait ... so you Don't Starve get Wrecked. 

[SapphireBullets]

I think one of the general themes of the game is you're a person from civilised society thrust into the wilderness.

Before, you've maybe had to worry about making rent this month, walking home on a dark night or being roughed up for being a mime.

 

But no-one in the cast has probably had to worry about starvation before.

 

Most of the sanity-gaining elements of the game (Nice food and clothing, friends) are a way of trying to reassure yourself that everything's okay and while you may never see your family again there's still some familiar comforts of home you can scrape together.

 

So "Don't Starve" is an underlying fear in the game. It's also something of a jaunty reminder that you're stuck in a bleak world.