When Dinkum was released for early access in July 2022, it quickly made waves in the cozy game community for its wholesome vibes and farming elements. Fortunately for this indie title, beloved games such as Stardew Valley, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons have already shown how successful these life sims can be.
Though there are aspects that Animal Crossing could borrow from Dinkum, it's already been confirmed by Nintendo that there will no longer be any updates for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. For avid players of the 2020 title, this was extremely disappointing news. Thankfully, Dinkum is the perfect solution for those still trying to scratch that Animal Crossing itch in 2023.
Dinkum is Animal Crossing in the Australian Outback
Dinkum was created by a single developer, James Bendon, who was raised in Queensland, Australia. Though Bendon wasn't expecting the game to be so well-received when it debuted last year, it was a welcome surprise. At the moment, the game is sitting at over 15,000 "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. Dinkum shares a lot of similarities with Animal Crossing, but it also builds on the foundations of Nintendo's game to include more intensive multiplayer options and activities. This includes hang gliding, combat, spelunking, and jet skiing. There are also some recognizable pursuits such as bug catching, fishing, planting crops, finding fossils, and so forth. At the beginning of the game, players start with a simple tent and a sleeping bag which they work overtime to turn into a home.
Interestingly, the island that people receive in Dinkum is massive and has different explorable biomes like Minecraft. This includes four different environments: the cold biome in the southwest, bushland in the east, desert in the center, and a tropical biome in the north. Of course, not all maps are the same, and while these biomes are most commonly found at these locations, they could really spawn anywhere. Animal Crossing features different environments with its explorable mystery islands and seasonal changes, but it has yet to reach this level of diversity.
Additionally, in the past, Nintendo's life sim has been criticized for its limited multiplayer options. While people can't start with Dinkum in multiplayer immediately, they can interact with items and NPCs more freely than they would be able to in Animal Crossing. Not only can players fish together, but they can also race one another on tracks and battle Australian wildlife. However, much like in Animal Crossing, visitors cannot move buildings nor can they sell any of the hosts' animals.
Arguably, one of the biggest draws for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is its array of adorable animal villagers. Dinkum features its own residents, but they are very much human. While they may appear less cuddly than the 488 villagers available in the Animal Crossing series, they do come equipped with their own special characteristics and talk in gibberish tones. Like in Stardew Valley, it's beneficial to build relationships with the NPCs as they can provide players with important items.
Like other games in this genre, the slow pace encourages people to relax as they evolve their Australian paradise. On the other hand, those who enjoy grinding in cozy games may be happy to hear that there are options that involve combat and collecting resources if they choose to explore the Deep Mine in Dinkum. Even though Dinkum is still in early access, the game is definitely a satisfying substitution for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Dinkum is available through early access on PC.
