Kenshi drops players into a post-apocalyptic, open world without a linear story. This freedom means that there are numerous things to do with the harsh sandbox the game puts in front of them. Depending on how players start, however, they may quickly find themselves in need of a safe haven.
In this atmosphere, players have to buy or build some shelter to ease the stress of making Kenshi's steampunk world their new home. Within towns, players have the option to buy structures to fill this need while, out in the open, players can build themselves one. Both have their own advantages, so for Kenshi players looking to do either, this guide is here to help.
How to Buy a House in Kenshi
As long as players have the money, purchasing a home with Kenshi's in-game currency, Cats, can be the easiest option for a quick shelter. The first step in this process is making sure that there are houses available for purchase in the first place. Left-clicking a structure will bring up that building's information in the bottom left of the screen. This box will include information on if the space is public, whether it is for sale, and if so, the price required to purchase it.
If players have enough in-game currency to purchase the building, they can click the button in that bottom left box and confirm it in the center of the screen. With this, the money will be deducted from the player and the house will be all theirs to repair and use. Kenshi is a brutal survival game, so it may make sense to start off with a base in a guarded location like a town.
How to Build a House in Kenshi
Building a house in Kenshi requires players to travel far outside a town. First, bring up the building menu by clicking the appropriate button on the bottom right of the screen. This will bring up the building options in the bottom left portion of the screen. A small shack will suffice as a house for players starting out in the game and selecting it will bring the building's silhouette out. Blue indicates a viable location but one that is too close to a town while a green silhouette means it can be placed in this space.
Unlike just buying a structure, building a house is much less expensive but requires materials. A small shack costs 5 Building Materials, which can be purchased at local stores for around 108 Cats each. Since Kenshi is one of the longest open world games out there, getting a shelter will inevitably become essential. Building a shelter is a cheaper option, but one with an extra layer of danger ,because it puts players outside the range of NPC guards.
Kenshi is available on PC.