Dinkum

🔥 What is Dinkum

Dinkum is a charming 3D open-world RPG set in a fantasy version of the Australian outback that officially launched on April 23, 2025, after a successful Early Access period where it sold over 1 million copies. Developed by solo Australian developer James Bendon and published by KRAFTON, Inc., this life simulator combines elements of town-building, exploration, and survival with a distinctly Australian flavor.

In Dinkum, players are tasked with building a thriving town from scratch on a rugged island inspired by the Australian bush. The game’s name itself is derived from “fair dinkum,” an Australian expression meaning genuine or authentic, perfectly capturing the game’s spirit. With its colorful visuals and relaxing gameplay loop, Dinkum has filled the void left by Animal Crossing: New Horizons while introducing its own unique mechanics and Australian charm.

The game features diverse biomes to explore, from tropical eucalyptus forests and scorching deserts to cool billabongs, all while encountering iconic Australian wildlife like wombats, cassowaries, and crocodiles. What sets Dinkum apart from similar life simulators is its balance between cozy town-building and adventurous exploration with light combat elements.

👉 Features of Dinkum

Multiplayer Co-op

Dinkum shines with its multiplayer functionality, allowing up to six players to collaborate in building and maintaining their town. The 1.0 release enhanced this feature with custom permissions for guest players, giving hosts more control over the co-op experience.

Creative Mode

The full release introduced a Creative Mode where players can decorate and shape their island freely, generate items, adjust weather and time, and experiment without limitations. This mode is perfect for players who prefer a more relaxed experience focused on design and creativity.

Rich NPC Interactions

The game features a cast of colorful characters who can be convinced to permanently move to your town. The new Guest House System allows players to rent homes to NPCs, providing passive income while expanding the town’s population.

Deep Customization

Players can personalize their town with extensive building and decoration options. The crafting system allows for creating everything from basic tools to complex structures like a two-seater aircraft for faster travel.

Day-Night Cycle

Unlike Animal Crossing’s real-time clock, Dinkum features an accelerated day-night cycle where hours pass in minutes, allowing players to progress at their own pace without waiting for real-world days to pass.

Gameplay

In Dinkum, each day offers freedom of choice in activities. Players can gather resources by fishing, hunting, mining, and foraging, then use these materials to craft items, build structures, and develop their town. The game incorporates a stamina system similar to Stardew Valley, where managing energy is crucial for productivity.

The progression system revolves around completing establishment tasks, such as gathering residents, paying off town debt, collecting museum items, and exploring surroundings. As players advance, they unlock better tools, new abilities, and additional town features like shops, museums, and animal farms.

Combat adds an exciting dimension to exploration, as players must defend themselves against dangerous wildlife like crocodiles and cassowaries using spears, hammers, or other weapons. The underground mine area, unlocked mid-game, offers both valuable rewards and significant challenges, best tackled with friends.

The cooking system allows players to create meals that provide health, stamina, and various buffs. Players can also process resources using crafting machines like bee houses, cheese makers, and kegs.

Pros and Cons

✔️ Pros

Unique Setting: The Australian-inspired world offers a fresh take on the life simulator genre with distinctive wildlife and environments.

Flexible Progression: The accelerated day-night cycle allows players to progress at their own pace without waiting for real-world time to pass.

Multiplayer Fun: The six-player co-op makes town-building and exploration more engaging and social.

Depth of Activities: From farming and fishing to combat and exploration, the game offers numerous ways to spend your time.

Regular Updates: The developer continues to add new content and features, with the 1.0 release bringing significant additions like Creative Mode and the Guest House System.

❌ Cons

Grindy Early Game: The initial hours can feel repetitive as players must gather thousands of Dinks (in-game currency) through daily resource collection.

Combat Difficulty: The mine area may feel overly combat-focused and difficult for players who prefer a more relaxed experience.

Learning Curve: The sheer amount of activities available can be overwhelming for new players.

Similarity to Animal Crossing: While it introduces new elements, some mechanics closely resemble Animal Crossing, potentially feeling derivative to veterans of that series.