Necesse vs. Best Colony Survival Games
Necesse is a strong colony survival and sandbox game, but it is not the definitive “best” for every player; its top competitors like RimWorld, Terraria, and Oxygen Not Included each excel in different areas. This article compares Necesse with the leading games in the genre, covering gameplay, depth, modding, and performance, so you can decide which fits your playstyle.
What Makes Necesse Stand Out?
Necesse, developed by Fair (a solo developer), blends top-down action RPG combat with colony management and survival. You explore a procedurally generated world, gather resources, fight enemies, and recruit settlers who can be assigned jobs like farming, mining, and crafting. Unlike pure colony sims, you directly control a character, so combat is real-time and skill-based. The game also supports up to 10 players in multiplayer, which is a major draw for co-op fans. Its pixel-art style and accessible mechanics make it easier to pick up than many rivals, but it lacks the deep simulation and narrative complexity of games like RimWorld.
How Necesse Compares to RimWorld
RimWorld is often considered the gold standard of colony sims, with a focus on story generation, pawn psychology, and complex social dynamics. Necesse, in contrast, is more action-oriented: you fight bosses, explore dungeons, and build a base to support your adventures. RimWorld has no direct character control (you issue orders), while Necesse puts you in the action. If you want a deep, emergent narrative with mods that add hundreds of hours, RimWorld wins. If you prefer a faster, co-op-friendly experience with a mix of Terraria-style exploration, Necesse is a better fit.
Necesse vs. Terraria and Other Sandbox Survival Games
Terraria is a 2D sandbox adventure with a heavy focus on exploration and boss fights, but it has minimal colony management. Necesse adds that management layer: you can assign settlers to automate resource gathering and production. Other games like Oxygen Not Included (ONI) focus on complex physics and resource loops (oxygen, heat, water), which can be overwhelming. Necesse is more forgiving and less technical. Kenshi offers a squad-based survival RPG with base building, but its learning curve is steep and combat is less polished. For a balanced middle ground, Necesse is a great choice.
How to Choose the Right Game for You
Consider what you value most in a colony survival game. Here are key factors:
- Combat vs. Management: Do you want to fight directly (Necesse, Terraria) or command from above (RimWorld, ONI)?
- Multiplayer: Necesse supports up to 10 players; RimWorld has a co-op mod but is not official. If co-op is essential, Necesse is a top pick.
- Depth and Complexity: RimWorld and ONI offer deep systems that can be complex; Necesse is simpler and more accessible.
- Modding: RimWorld has a massive modding community; Necesse has a smaller but active mod workshop.
- Art Style: All use 2D pixel art, but styles differ—Necesse is vibrant, RimWorld is more muted, ONI is cartoonish.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Players new to Necesse often struggle with early-game survival. You need to gather food and build shelter quickly to avoid starvation and night enemies. Another issue is managing settler happiness—if they lack beds, food, or safety, they may leave. To avoid these pitfalls, prioritize a small farm and a walled base early. Also, be aware that the game is still in Early Access (as of 2025), so some features may be incomplete or change. Check the official changelog and community forums for current bugs.
Cost and Platform Availability
Necesse is available on Steam and GOG for around $20 (price may vary by region). It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. RimWorld costs about $35, and ONI is around $25. Necesse is often on sale, making it a budget-friendly option. There are no microtransactions or DLCs currently; the base game includes all content. For multiplayer, you can host a dedicated server or play via Steam invite.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you want a similar mix of action and colony management, try Core Keeper (co-op mining and building) or Starbound (space exploration with building). For a more hardcore survival experience, Don’t Starve Together offers challenging co-op survival. If you prefer pure colony sims, Dwarf Fortress (steam version) is the ultimate depth, but it has a steep learning curve. Each of these offers a different flavor, so it’s worth watching gameplay videos to see which appeals to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Necesse better than RimWorld?
It depends on your preference. Necesse is more action-oriented and co-op friendly, while RimWorld offers deeper simulation and storytelling. If you want a game where you directly fight and explore with friends, Necesse is better; if you want a complex colony management sim, RimWorld is superior.
Can I play Necesse single-player?
Yes, Necesse is fully playable solo. You control one character and can still recruit settlers to automate tasks, but you’ll do all the exploring and fighting yourself. The game scales difficulty based on player count.
Does Necesse have mod support?
Yes, Necesse has Steam Workshop support, allowing you to add new items, creatures, and quality-of-life improvements. The modding community is smaller than RimWorld’s, but there are many popular mods available.
Is Necesse still in Early Access?
Yes, as of 2025, Necesse is in Early Access on Steam. The developer regularly updates the game with new content, but some features may be incomplete or subject to change. You can check the official roadmap for planned updates.
What are the system requirements for Necesse?
Necesse is a lightweight 2D game; it runs on most PCs. The minimum requirements are a 2.0 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, and a DirectX 10 compatible graphics card. It also runs on integrated graphics, so it’s accessible to most players.
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