Game: Primal Planet
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Steam (Windows) (also on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch)
Developer|Publisher: Seethingswarm | Pretty Soon Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $19.99 | UK £16.75 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: July 28th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Pretty Soon Games.
Primal Planet Review – Dinosaurs, Drama, and DIY Survival
It’s easy to hear “crafting-heavy or 2D adventure game” and feel your enthusiasm sink. The indie scene is absolutely saturated with pixel art and survival titles. But Primal Planet isn’t just another one of those games. This one has something a little different, a beating heart, a real sense of purpose, and a world that’s not only intriguing but surprisingly moving.
An Unexpected Emotional Journey
Primal Planet kicks off with a dramatic escape: your character, a rugged warrior from a tribal family, is separated from his loved ones during a terrifying dinosaur attack. It’s a thrilling way to begin, but what follows is far more than just a prehistoric creature feature. Rather than leaning on text dumps or lengthy cutscenes, the game delivers its story through silent, animated moments. There’s no dialogue, but plenty of emotion.
Characters emote through actions, whether it’s shielding a loved one, mourning a loss, or simply sharing a campfire together. There are also aliens. But let’s not spoil the details. Just know that Primal Planet’s story goes in directions you won’t expect. It’s heartfelt, a bit bizarre, and refreshingly sincere. There’s an emphasis on family that’s rare in games today, and it genuinely grounds the experience.
Exploration That Opens Up
At first, the game follows a relatively linear path; you’ve got an objective and a map that offers a vague guide to your next destination. But it doesn’t take long before the world begins to expand, offering greater freedom and multiple paths to explore. You’ll find yourself picking between routes, poking into side areas for crafting resources, unlocking shortcuts and even finding plenty of secrets.
Each area you traverse feels distinct and teeming with life, from lush forests and sunlit plains to underwater caverns and foreboding ruins. The day-night cycle adds an extra layer of immersion, sometimes shifting enemy behaviour or revealing new secrets.
Crafting With Purpose
Let’s talk crafting. Yes, it’s a big part of Primal Planet, but it doesn’t feel like busywork. You’ll collect materials to craft weapons like spears (which can also be thrown for extra damage), throwing knives, traps, torches, and healing items like cooked meat. Everything serves a purpose, and the crafting menu is easy to use once you find a fireplace, which acts as a save spot.
Torches play a particularly clever role in solving environmental puzzles, lighting up lanterns and clearing away flammable debris. Just be warned: torches burn out, so you’ll need to use them wisely.
Combat and Stealth Options
Combat in Primal Planet is solid, if not overly complex. Your basic club gets the job done, but upgraded or crafted weapons definitely give you the upper hand. More interesting is the ability to approach fights creatively; you can use distractions, stealth, and traps to avoid combat altogether if that suits your playstyle.
And speaking of encounters, enemies come in all shapes and sizes, from wild dinosaurs to rival humans to some truly strange extraterrestrial foes. The variety keeps things feeling fresh, and boss fights in particular are highlights that demand quick thinking and resourceful use of your tools. But the difficulty curve generally takes an upward spike at these moments.
Your Dino Buddy (And More Friends)
From early on, you’re joined by a charming little dinosaur companion named Sino, who can help out in combat and even be controlled by a second player in local co-op. As you progress, Sino can be upgraded at bonfires, just like your main character. He’s not just a cute sidekick; he’s actually useful.
Even better, as the game unfolds, you’ll meet and recruit new companions, each with their own unique abilities. You’ll genuinely come to care about them, and while they can get knocked out in combat, they’ll always return to your village, ready to rejoin your party if you need them. The AI of these companions is pretty good; they can hold their own in tight spots. And when you sit down with them at a bonfire, you feel a warm sense of friendship.
Upgrades and Progression
Progression in Primal Planet is handled through a robust skill system. You can upgrade movement, combat ability, inventory space, and much more. Each point matters, so planning your build becomes a low-key but rewarding part of the gameplay. It’s a shame you can’t respec your skills once chosen, and the lack of difficulty options might disappoint some players, but the game is generous with checkpoints and rarely punishing.
Even your home and companion bases can be upgraded, adding helpful items outside when you revisit the area. You’re never short of things to upgrade and an incentive to explore the map and unlock more skill points.
The Sound of Wildlife
Despite its pixel art style (a common choice these days), Primal Planet stands out thanks to its vibrant environments and creature designs. It’s full of life, birds flutter, dinosaurs graze, and the world feels dynamic and reactive. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a herd of peaceful dinos roam past you while the music hums quietly in the background.
The soundtrack itself isn’t a standout, but it does the job. It supports the atmosphere rather than overpowering it, letting the visual storytelling and ambient sounds shine.
Conclusion: Dino Roar
All in all, Primal Planet is a rare gem, something that looks familiar at first glance but hides a big heart and plenty of surprises. It blends exploration, crafting, and narrative in a way that feels fun and even touching. This is one delightful surprise, and it absolutely deserves attention.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up 
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