Hours Played: 80
System: Steam Deck, PC
Game paid for myself

On paper, Dinkum looks like another entry in the ever-growing field of cozy life sims — you build a town, raise some animals, forage, farm, fish. Nothing unusual, right? Then suddenly, a shark lunges at you in the shallows, a kangaroo uppercuts you into next week when you try to hunt it (what’s its problem anyway?), and a massive turkey with revenge in its heart charges at you like it owns the outback. And weirdly? That’s when it all clicks.

Dinkum is not your average wholesome sim. It’s more like RimWorld put on overalls, learned to bake banana bread, and decided to be chill — but still kept the flamethrower in the barn just in case. It mixes survival-lite danger and exploration with relaxing, freeform town-building in a way that’s totally unique, refreshingly weird, and completely addictive.

A Stamina System That Actually Works (and Doesn’t Stress You Out)

One of the first things I noticed — and appreciated — was the stamina system. Unlike in many similar games where you collapse into a heap the moment the clock hits midnight, Dinkum gives you flexibility. After midnight, your stamina depletes right down, but you don’t instantly pass out. You can still keep going — doing light tasks, crafting, or harvesting — especially if you’re stocked up on fruit or snacks.

It’s a system that encourages you to listen to your rhythm and make the most of every in-game day without feeling punished for stretching your time a little. It’s cozy, without being controlling — which, honestly, should be the gold standard for life sims.

The Map is Massive — and Randomly Generated

Every new save file in Dinkum comes with a completely new map layout, which is a brilliant touch. It means your experience will always feel fresh, and no two islands are ever the same. This alone makes the game highly replayable ( I currently have 3 saves on the go) — but what really keeps you coming back is the loop. The gameplay loop is deeply satisfying, with new areas to explore, resources to gather, and plenty of incentive to return to the wild, even if you got trampled by a rogue emu yesterday.

The game also has a great sense of progression. Even though it took me two in-game years to complete the initial milestone of attracting five villagers to my island, it never felt like a grind. I was off chasing butterflies (literally and figuratively), building things, gathering resources, and getting sidetracked in the best way possible. And that slow burn? It only made me more attached to my island. Actually, ,maybe that is why it took me 2 years. You can make this game what you want.

Survival Meets Slice-of-Life

Danger in Dinkum is where the game really sets itself apart. The world might be bright and friendly at first glance, but there are real (and often hilarious) threats just around the corner. The sharks in the water will hunt you down with Terminator-level persistence. Crocs lurk near rivers and will eat you and your livestock. Kangaroos go full MMA if you provoke them. The giant turkeys? They’re not just aggressive — they’re vindictive. And don’t get me started on the weird lizard-things that look like they escaped from a fever dream. Go ahead and try to hunt one. Let me know how that goes.

But the best part? These dangers are fun. They’re not punishing — they’re engaging. They give you goals. They keep the world feeling alive. And if you’re like me, they give you a reason to get a hunting license early, start cooking every bit of meat you find, and make your first fortune as a wilderness chef.

Crocs at the Door and Chickens in Danger

The animal AI is another delightfully chaotic part of the game. The livestock are beyond cute — especially the butt wiggle animations when you milk them (yes, really). But this isn’t some serene petting zoo. If you don’t put up fences, your animals are toast. Crocs will absolutely stroll into your base and start eating your chickens while you’re off shopping or making jam.

In fact, crocs have this unsettling habit of lurking just outside shops, waiting for you to emerge like you’re in some Australian horror movie. Which is why I sincerely wish the developers would add a toggle in the settings for animal aggression. Sometimes I want to clean up my farm without being blindsided by a crocodile ambush. Let me live, please.

Cooking, Hunting, Fishing — and Forgiveness

Here’s the thing: I usually hate fishing in games. And at first, Dinkum was no different. It felt clunky, too tricky, not worth it. But then I needed a commerce license, watched a quick YouTube tutorial, and suddenly I was enjoying it. Weird how that happens. The same goes for hunting and cooking — I tend to avoid these mechanics in games because I get overly attached to animals. But in Dinkum, once something has tried to eat me or my chickens, it’s game on. Pixel crocs beware.

Also, hunting and cooking are among the most lucrative ways to earn money early on. If you’re not into farming or mining yet, just cook up some meat and sell it — it adds up fast. Even the teenage turkeys, who seem to be permanently angry at your existence, fetch a good price at John’s. (Sorry, turkeys. You brought this on yourselves.)

Side note: that shark above? Yeah, it ate me.

Attention to Detail (and a Few Quirks)

Weather is dynamic and delightfully unpredictable. It might rain in the morning, then clear up in the afternoon — which adds a lovely realism to the world. The game runs beautifully on Steam Deck, and I haven’t encountered any major bugs during early 1.0. The controller support is solid overall, though the wheelbarrow controls like it’s been possessed by a ghost with a grudge.

And while we’re on odd details — I genuinely wish that if you set yourself on fire (which you absolutely can by getting too close to the campfire), you could also set nearby tents on fire. Not because it’s practical, but because it would be hilarious and thematically consistent. Just imagine the chaos.

Final Thoughts

Dinkum is the rare game that lets you truly define your own fun. It’s a farming sim, a survival-lite exploration game, a combat sandbox, and a deeply customizable town-builder — all wrapped in an adorably deadly package. Whether you’re here for fishing, fashion, or fighting turkeys, there’s room for all of it. Want to decorate your dream base? Go for it. Want to ignore fishing entirely? You can — until you don’t. Want to become a meat mogul in a world where everything wants to eat you first? Absolutely.

This game is full of small joys, big laughs, and surprising depth. It’s cozy, chaotic, and completely compelling. Just remember to build a fence — and maybe carry a fruit snack for stamina. You’ll need it.

You can check out my Dinkum vod Here

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