Rust is a game that brings together the thrill of survival, the dangers of a harsh open world, and the ever-present threat of other players. Developed by Facepunch Studios, this multiplayer survival game has gained a significant following since its initial release, captivating players with its intense gameplay and challenging mechanics. As a first time Rust player who now holds about 100 hours in this wild game, I have a decent understanding of the game’s mechanics, and some definite opinions on the best and worst parts of the game.
One of the standout features of Rust is its unforgiving nature. From the moment you spawn in the game's vast and hostile world, you're thrust into a struggle for survival. Not only are you threatened by the other players who enjoy killing the naked new-spawns right off the bat, but those pesky boars and bears are always looming as well. Gathering resources, constructing shelters, and crafting weapons are essential tasks to secure your place in this ruthless environment (all the while avoiding these aforementioned fiends). The game's emphasis on realism and the need to constantly manage hunger, thirst, and exposure to the elements adds to the immersive experience - and in terms of rating a game, personally, immersiveness is a huge factor.
Rust's PvP (Player vs. Player) mechanics are where the game truly shines. The prospect of encountering other players, who may either be allies or ruthless adversaries (who kill nakeds), adds an unpredictable and exciting element to the gameplay. The tension that builds during interactions with strangers, never knowing if they will cooperate or betray you, or how they will respond when you yell into the proximity voice-chat “PLEASE DON’T KILL ME, I’M A WOMAN,” is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. These encounters often lead to intense firefights, strategic base raids, extreme sexism (stop killing women?!) and exhilarating moments of triumph or defeat.
The crafting system in Rust is extensive and rewarding. With a wide array of items and weapons to create, players are encouraged to experiment and find their preferred playstyle. From basic tools and weapons to elaborate structures, traps, and even electrical systems, the possibilities for customization are vast. The sense of accomplishment that comes from crafting a powerful weapon or constructing a fortified base is incredibly satisfying. What makes it even better are the many skins that can be purchased from the Steam Marketplace to even further customize the individual experience. The skins in the game add a fun element to many of the in-game items, and can even create a sense of belonging, as you run alongside your teammates who are dressed in the same colors, and kill everyone and everything that you see. I mean, if that’s how you’re choosing to play. In my opinion, a more aggressive approach is often fun, but being more passive can be rewarding as well. It really depends on how you’re feeling that day. Luckily you can always switch up your playstyle without too many consequences.
In addition to these points, it would be an injustice not to mention the absolute best, and arguably most exciting part of the game; the instruments. Specifically, the pan flute. One of Rust’s DLCs added a variety of musical instruments to the game, adding the potential for so much fun. Not only did this DLC add the opportunity for teams to start bands and create beautiful music together, but it also added the freedom to follow around your friends as they live-stream with a pan flute in hand, and play a jolly, catchy little tune until they yell at you to stop. Nothing beats the feeling that the pan flute has given me - and I will always stand by this. With this in mind, purchasing the Instruments Pack DLC alongside the game is a must. (This is not an ad, I just really, REALLY love that damn pan flute.)
However, Rust is not without its flaws. The game's learning curve is steep, making it quite challenging for newcomers to grasp its mechanics and survive against experienced players. This is something that I’ve heard from many of my friends, and also something that I have experienced myself. Though I could relate the crafting system and the blueprint learning systems to similar open-world games, like ARK: Survival Evolved, the curve is definitely steep for those who are unfamiliar with similar systems. Additionally, the online nature of the game means that encounters with toxic players or griefers can be frustrating, especially for those seeking a more cooperative experience. It is not a rare thing to log back in to the server you’ve been working on for days on end, and find that you were offline raided. This causes a large number of players to give up on the server - understandably so. But this is also part of the beauty of Rust; the losses create the opportunity for even stronger defenses and tactics, as well as the exciting possibility of a counter-raid, when you find your attacker(s).
Furthermore, while the game has seen regular updates and improvements, it can still suffer from performance issues, occasional bugs, and server instability. These technical shortcomings can hinder the overall experience, particularly during intense moments or large-scale battles. Though I’ve only experienced a few of these myself, any game that has connection issues is frustrating (especially for those who pay for high-speed internet that is meant to keep this from happening).
In conclusion, Rust offers a uniquely intense and gripping survival experience that has captivated a dedicated player base. Its ruthless gameplay, PvP mechanics, and extensive crafting system that have thus far provided me with about 100 hours of playtime, could arguably provide countless more hours of immersion and excitement. Despite its challenging learning curve and technical imperfections, Rust remains a standout title for those seeking an unforgiving, immersive, musical and excitingly customizable multiplayer survival game.
Comment below what your experiences are from Rust, or if you are interested in more Rust related content! 