Game: Tinkertown
Genre: Adventure, RPG
System: Nintendo Switch (already available on Steam,(Windows) PS4 & Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: Headup Games
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US Everyone
Price: US $19.99 | UK £16.99 | EU €19,99
Release Date: To be decided
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Headup Games.
Tinkertown: A Large Crafty World to Call Your Own
Tinkertown is an expansive sandbox game with deep crafting elements. Originally launched on PC, it will now make its debut on the Nintendo Switch, bringing its charming gameplay to a wider audience of eager crafters. The releasedate is yet to be decided, but it will hopefully be soon.
The Switch has no shortage of crafting and sandbox games, with titles like Minecraft and Terraria dominating the genre. However, Tinkertown takes a stab at the genre by offering a player-friendly experience that gently builds confidence before encouraging players to embark on their own creative adventures. If you have time for a hefty gaming investment and want a fun multiplayer experience, Tinkertown might be just what you’re looking for.
Getting Started
Tinkertown begins by allowing you to create your pixelated character from a small selection of hairstyles and colours. After customisation, the game generates a world, which can take a while on the initial load. Once the game starts, you’re free to choose your path. The game offers quests that guide you to NPCs, challenging dungeons, and bosses to defeat, but there’s no rush or pressure to follow this route. You’re given the freedom to chart your course, whether it’s diving into the main quest, building a sprawling home, or doing a spot of fishing. The laid-back start in the forested area is ideal for easing into the game. Here, you can gather resources, craft basic items, and learn the mechanics at your own pace.
One thing to note is Tinkertown’s day-and-night cycle, which adds a layer of strategy. During the day, exploration is mostly safe, with minimal threats. However, when night falls, things become more dangerous, and you’ll need to be better equipped to handle the increased hostility. This cycle creates a dynamic experience where planning becomes essential, especially as you venture further from your home base.
Crafting
Crafting in Tinkertown follows a familiar formula but offers enough complexity to stay engaging. You can craft basic tools using your personal crafting menu, but more advanced items require specialized crafting tables. This tiered system encourages you to experiment and build out your workspace with the necessary stations. One feature I appreciated was how the game notifies you whenever new craftable items become available, adding a sense of discovery. You’re rewarded for trying new things, which makes gathering resources and experimenting enjoyable. Collecting wood, stone, and other resources fuels a constant sense of progression as you unlock recipes and tools. Another feature I liked is the game doesn’t bog you down with stamina bars or survival elements, cutting out tedium and focusing on the crafting.
Exploration is key to uncovering new materials and recipes. As you roam through different biomes, from dense forests to sun-drenched deserts and dark, labyrinthine dungeons, you’ll come across unique resources that allow you to craft specific items. You also find plenty of handy pre-made items and loot, too. This loop keeps you motivated to explore and keeps gameplay fresh, as you’re always one discovery away from a new crafting opportunity.
Combat
Tinkertown’s combat system is functional, albeit a bit clunky. You have the option to wield various weapons, including swords, bows, and magic, allowing you to build a playstyle that suits you. The flexibility in creating your own “class” is a neat touch, as you can mix and match weapons and armour for a tailored experience. Melee combat, however, can feel awkward at times, with standard and charged attacks taking some practice to use effectively. Hits from enemies come frequently, so it’s essential to have a well-stocked supply of health potions.
Ranged combat fares a bit better, especially with the bow, which fortunately has unlimited ammo once crafted. You can switch between weapons in your quick-select bar, creating a mix of ranged and melee attacks to adapt to different combat situations. While the combat mechanics work, they don’t always feel as polished or satisfying as in other games within the genre. Enemies also seem to have a magnetic pull toward the player, leading to frequent, unavoidable hits. It’s advisable to stay prepared and plan your attacks carefully, as the combat tends to be more punishing than expected when playing alone. A feature I really liked is that weapons and tools don’t degrade, removing a lot of the tedium of crafting the same items over and over again.
Pixel Art and Aesthetic
Tinkertown embraces a pixel art style familiar to many indie titles. While some might argue that the style feels overused, Tinkertown manages to stand out through its effective use of lighting and diverse biomes. The starting forest area may not be groundbreaking, but as you travel to deserts, dungeons, and other unique areas, you’ll notice how thoughtfully designed the world is. Each biome comes with its own set of flora and fauna, which helps keep exploration engaging.
An upbeat and family-friendly soundtrack complements the game’s visuals. The music is pleasant and matches the overall vibe of the game, making it suitable for players of all ages. Sound effects, from the thud of chopping trees to the ambient noises of different biomes, add depth to the experience and help bring the world to life.
Bugs and Performance
During my time with Tinkertown on the Nintendo Switch, I did encounter some bugs. These included NPCs disappearing, which prevented me from turning in quests, and instances where walls I built became immovable. Occasionally, enemies would get stuck in the environment, which made them easy to defeat but was clearly not intentional. While most of these issues were minor and could be fixed by restarting the game, they did impact the overall experience. It’s worth noting that the developers have already taken steps to address these issues, temporarily pulling the game to work on patches. Given their history of continued support on Steam, I’m confident they will provide similar updates and improvements for the Switch version.
Multiplayer
One of Tinkertown’s standout features is its multiplayer mode, which supports up to four players online. Although I wasn’t able to fully test the multiplayer during my review due to the need for invites to join games, I can see how playing with friends would enhance the experience. Teaming up to tackle dungeons, share resources, or build a town together adds a collaborative and enjoyable layer to the game. Whether you’re venturing into dangerous dungeons or just having fun constructing a shared village, multiplayer could be a major draw for those who love co-op gameplay.
Conclusion: A Big Adventure Awaits
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Tinkertown, though it arrived at a time when I had just played another crafting game that resonated with me more. That said, for newcomers to the crafting sandbox genre or those looking for a fresh take, Tinkertown is worth considering. It requires a substantial time investment to reap the full benefits of its gameplay, but the good news is that you can progress at your own pace. Whether you play solo or with friends, this game has the potential to provide many evenings of engaging, creative fun.
The bugs I encountered did slightly mar the experience, but with the developers already working on fixes, I’m optimistic about an update before it is actually released on the Nintendo Switch. If you’re looking for a new crafting adventure that blends exploration, combat, and creativity, Tinkertown could be your next time-sink. The game’s charm, coupled with the freedom to play your way, makes it an enticing option for crafting fans.
Final Verdict: I Like It
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