Dont Starve vs. Dont Starve Together is one of the most confusing topics for players, especially because both games look identical. Is it a sequence? A new version of the campaign? A DLC with new gameplay modes?

In this article, we will answer these and many other questions by comparing both titles side by side to see their key differences and which option you should choose as your go-to. Make sure to take a look at all the aspects below to ensure you make the right choice.

From the core game mechanics to the characters you’ll find, the two games have a lot of differences, even though they might look the same at first sight. Here, we will show these differences and how they impact gameplay mechanics and other aspects of the game.

• Release Date: April, 2013

• Developer: Klei Entertainment

• Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

Don’t Starve was the first and main game of the franchise, featuring a unique art style and gameplay that gathered millions of fans worldwide. It includes a primary campaign mode where you must survive The Constant while fighting against numerous creatures, including ghost characters. All that takes place on a mysterious land in an alternate dimension, where you must gather resources and survive while trying to find your way back home.

The resources keep you alive and safe from the numerous monsters you’ll face while exploring this new reign. With them, you can build constructions, equipment, weapons, and many other things that’ll help keep you alive.

The base game, especially the story category, is extremely difficult and will give you a hard time surviving the numerous ghost-form creatures, but if you’re looking for the biggest challenge possible, try survival mode. No hints, no help. You must learn and find things all by yourself.

The original game is a great pick if you like more complex gaming experiences. Unlike other survival games, it won’t give you any help, and you’ll have to learn everything by yourself, like a real survival experience.

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• Release Date: December, 2014

• Developer: Klei Entertainment

• Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows

Don’t Starve Together is a standalone title from the franchise, being basically a multiplayer version of the original Don’t Starve game. It has the same art style and elements as the previous one, like resurrection items, weapons, etc. But the main feature that differs Don’t Starve Together from the other version is that you can have multiple people playing together.

The multiplayer aspect brings new, interesting mechanics you can explore in adventure mode when having fun with other players. If you’re looking for a title to play with friends or your significant other, Don’t Starve Together is definitely one of the best multiplayer games you can choose.

The game has the same map, and most mechanics are identical since they’re the same game. If you have already played the original, make sure to try this one and share the fun with your friends.

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Now it’s time to compare both titles directly on a series of aspects to see which one is the best choice. Make sure to go through all the items to see which one best fits your expectations. Here are the main aspects you should consider when choosing between Don’t Starve and Don’t Starve Together:

Single Player x Multiplayer

One of the main aspects you must consider is whether you’ll be playing alone or with friends. The original Don’t Starve is exclusively single-player, and you won’t be able to play any game mode with other people. If you like to enjoy the survival experience alone since it is more challenging, Don’t Starve is definitely the best pick for you.

On the other hand, if you plan on playing with one or more friends, Don’t Starve Together is your only choice. It is not a single-player game and requires more players to be played as intended by the developers.

Having a group of friends helping you to progress and gather resources might look like it makes the game easier, but it is not true. The standalone expansion of the universe is as hard as the first title, even if you get help from the new characters.

To summarize, the original is a private game intended to be played exclusively alone. On the other hand, the Together version is a multiplayer experience that allows you to play the same experience but with your friends.

Game Modes

As we mentioned before, even though they’re essentially the same game, each has particularities and characteristics that make them unique. One of them is the possibility to choose between multiple game modes. While the classic Don’t Starve features three gameplay modes (originally two modes), its multiplayer version allows the player to choose between five different modes:

• Lights Out

• Relaxed

• Survival

• Wilderness

• Endless

Each one brings a unique aspect to the gameplay, making it easier or more challenging for the player. If you want to access all of them, you have to go with the Together version. The original title features only Lights Out, Adventure, and Sandbox. It might not look like much, but the 2013 version also still receives content updates, adding new mechanics and levels. Thanks to this, both games feature a fair variety of content, even though the younger brother has more game modes.

Story

If you’re looking for a survival game with good storytelling and plot twists, go with the original version since it’s the only one that features a story. Don’t Starve tells the story of a gentleman scientist, Wilson, who finds himself trapped in a dark alternative dimension called the Constant. 

With nothing to use, you must gather resources and avoid death in this new reality full of giants and other creatures that will try to hunt you at one point or another. Surviving is not your only priority since you’ll constantly try to find a way to return your character to its original world.

You can focus on whichever objective you want, whether to find a way home as soon as possible or try to survive in the Constant for as long as possible. No matter what you do, the difficulty will always increase, making the story a true challenge for players.

One of the key differences between Don’t Starve and Together is that the newest title doesn’t feature any kind of storyline to be followed. You and your friends are spawned in the Constant, and together, you must do everything you can to survive for as long as possible. From a hound wave to traps spread across the world, everything will put you in constant danger, so make sure to have the right resources to get out of this alive.

If good storytelling is what you want, go for the original version. On the other hand, if you don’t mind about this aspect of the gameplay, both versions can suit you well.

Characters

Another key difference between both versions is that you can only play as Wilson while in Don't Starve. But on Together, there are several characters to choose from, each with their own perks and skills to help you survive this mad world.

Creating a balanced party is indispensable for lasting as long as possible, so be careful when choosing which characters you and your friends will pick. This is one of the best parts of the Together version and increases its replayability by providing numerous different ways of defeating the monsters.

In this aspect, Together is definitely the best pick, and each character provides a unique experience. The Original Don’t Starve only lets you play with the main character of the story, which might decrease replayability, but it is still a solid character with fun gameplay.

Downloadable Content

If you like DLCs that expand the game’s total content, you’ll be happy to know that both games feature downloadable content that adds extra to the experience. Don’t Starve Together features only one DLC that is free and already included when you purchase the game. It adds new weapons, like new spears and swords to fight the monsters, and a lot of new activities, like the Winter’s Feast event, being the perfect expansion for extending the gameplay even more. 

On the other hand, the original Don’t Starve has more DLCs. They’re not free but add not only items but also new bosses and story fragments to explore. The three major content updates for the original game are:

• Reign of Giants - As the name suggests, in this DLC, you’ll be fighting giants and other new creatures, but more than that, it adds a new save slot and two playable characters for you to pick: Wigfrid and Webber. You’ll also explore new biomes and face even harder challenges trying to survive the numerous dangers.

• Shipwrecked: This DLC takes you on a tropical adventure in a completely different biome in the Constant. This new universe forces you to learn to survive all over again since you have no resources. But it may not be that bad as you have an entire island at your disposal.

• Hamlet: The last major DLC for the original game brings Wilson back to civilization. This is the first DLC introducing new interactable characters, so you will have to learn how to socialize once again. You can visit shops, gather resources, and meet new people who can be valuable companions throughout your journey.

Each one expands the game differently and adds new items, such as weapons, assets, and even creatures. If you’re looking for a game expandable with extra content, go with the original one. Its DLCs are great additions and can expand your gameplay in dozens of hours.

Both games are incredible experiences and perfect for keeping you entertained for hours, whether you’re looking for a title to play alone or with your friends. The alternate dimension of Constant has numerous secrets and powerful creatures to discover, being also the perfect place to build all the constructions that come to your mind.

Even though they are basically the same, the core game mechanics of both titles are very distinct, making each one perfect for a different audience. But only one of them can be crowned as the best one.

Considering all the aspects above, Don’t Starve Together is surely the best alternative. Not only because of the new mechanics it introduces, like the ability for the dead player to possess inanimate objects and use them to help their friends, but also because of the overall resources that come with the game.

You have two extra game modes and a character selection, making the game more dynamic and replayable. If you’re looking for a challenging survival game, gather your friends and pick this one to play.

Finding the best place to buy your video game keys can be even more challenging than the bosses from Don’t Starve. But don’t worry, here are some tips for you.

There are several options available, going from the official store of each platform to online marketplaces. Among all the options, RoyalCDKeys is the best one for your gameplay and wallet. 

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Both Don’t Starve titles are incredible experiences created for two different publics: Those who want to enjoy the surviving experience alone and those who prefer to share it with their friends. Each game features its own modes and particularities that can turn them into completely different titles, even though they share the same art style and core gameplay.

Considering all aspects of both experiences, Don’t Starve Together is a better pick, especially thanks to the character selection option. It drastically increases replayability and makes it enjoyable even when playing for long periods. Moreover, it also features more game modes to diversify the activities while sharing the entire experience with friends, making it even more fun.

The classic Don’t Starve is also one of the genre's best games and offers the perfect experience for surviving alone. It is a true challenge even for the toughest players, and it will take all of your abilities to escape the Constant.

Now, it’s time for you to pick your game and enter this dark dimension. Grab your resources and do everything you need to survive.