Don't Starve is an indie game where players are trying to survive The Constant as well as find a way back home. With a wide selection of characters to play, dangers around every corner and a world that is randomly generated with each playthrough, there's never a dull moment. And what makes this game even more exciting is the fact that there is another game just like it called Don't Starve Together, and oftentimes these two games can come as a package deal during sales. However, most of the time, players have to pick between these two games when looking to try it out.
That being said, it can be confusing to figure out which one to purchase. While they technically are the same game, there are some key factors that make these two games different. To figure out which Don't Starve game players should purchase, check out these main differences between the two. Please note that this is all for the base games, with no mods in mind when comparing these two games.
Playing With Friends Or Alone?
The main thing that separates these two is the mode of play that gamers want. Don't Starve is the single-player version, while Don't Starve Together, like the title suggests, lets players survive The Constant with friends.
So for players that want to survive The Constant with buddies, it forces gamers to pick Together. But thankfully, those that are diving into the game solo, they still have a choice between the two, as Together also allows players to have a closed, private game, so they don't have to worry about strangers or anyone popping into their game.
So Many Characters To Pick From
Another big factor for these two games are the characters that are available to play. While Together allows players to pick from a variety of characters right away, making building the right team with the best stats that work together much easier, Don't Starve has players unlock characters through experience earned or tasks completed.
But it can be frustrating as some characters, like Wheeler, Wilba or Woodlegs, are only available for single-player. And characters like Wanda, Wortox and Wurt are only available for purchase in Together. This can change the way each game is played, as each one of these unique characters makes the gameplay an ever-changing experience.
Different Content Makes Each Game Unique
The biggest factor for many gamers besides playing with friends or not is the content that is available. This makes the two games widely different. Don't Starve has three DLCs, Reign of Giants, Shipwrecked and Hamlet. Together has a free DLC already included in the game, Reign of Giants, with other updates such as the Cave and Ruins Update, Return of Them, A New Reign and Through The Ages, which gives players a plethora of content like world bosses. However, if players want an actual endgame, or story mode, Don't Starve is the only game that allows this.
Don't Starve also just works differently than Together. Since Together is multiplayer, time always passes, while single-player lets players pause. If players defeat bosses in Together, caves and ruins can regenerate, but in Don't Starve, a whole new map needs to be created. Together also has loot that can be dropped while single-player doesn't have this. Sleeping is also different, as Don't Starve just has time fast forwarded to sunrise, while Together just has players unmoving through the night. So with content being so different, it's really hard to compare these two games as they are their own unique experience.
Different Modes For Each Game
While modes are solely based on preferences, each game has its own selection that can make the game incredibly different. For Together, there are five modes to choose from; Relaxed, Survival, Wilderness, Endless and Lights Out, while Don't Starve just has Lights Out, Adventure and Sandbox.
For Together, Relaxed is a great option for those that want to explore without worry, as the only way players can die is from combat, with resurrection always available. Survival is the default option. Wilderness spawns all players randomly across the map, and once they die, they return to the character selection screen to start again as a new character in a random spot. Endless is like survival and relaxed mixed, making it an endless survival game that isn't too stressful. But for those that want a dark twist on the experience, Lights Out is the way to go. And for Don't Starve, Adventure mode is the only way players can 'beat' the game. Adventure is the default, with Lights Out being the same as Together.
Which One Is Better?
Ultimately, Don't Starve was the initial game, while Together came out after, making it almost a sequel to the first game. While all of this is a matter of opinion depending on what players are looking for, it's recommended that players should grab the single-player version first. This gives players the opportunity to experience the game as it was, while also working towards beating the game and experiencing all the lore.
But for obvious reasons, if players are wanting to play with a group of friends, the only option is Together. With all that being said, the best way to experience all of Don't Starve's glory is getting both games, which can be the obvious answer. That way players are able to experience the story mode as well as survive the world with buddies. There are constantly sales and oftentimes, these two games are in a bundle, making enjoying this amazing indie game easy. No matter the option, Don't Starve and Together are both a great choice if players are looking for a new survival game.
Don't Starve Together and Don't Starve are available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.