Animalia Survival

So often, we find games that pit humans to survive in the wild against a flurry of fearsome creatures - real or fictional. Now there is a game that is putting players in the shoes of wild animals struggling for survival. That game is aptly named Animalia Survival - and finally, we have a survival genre concept that doesn't look like a clone of another one.

But this isn't your casual animal simulator. From the first glimpses, Animalia Survival looks like it's as harsh of a survival game as any. But how would you translate those traditional genre mechanics into enjoyable playthroughs for animals? Are you going to be able to craft, combat, and build your way to glory? Let's dive into this intriguing sandbox world.

Survival of the Fittest

Animalia Survival is set in the African savannah, giving players the option to play any prominent animal that lives there. That means you could take on the role of a predator or prey - plant-eater, meat-eater, or both. Whatever animal tickles your fancy - everyone has to survive in this harsh climate. So how is that achieved?

The seriousness of Animalia Survival is met with an initial comical relief. Playing as animals is something different than what we are used to in a survival game. Taking on the role of a waddling crocodile or anxious zebra can bring a few chuckles to the surface. But surviving in the savannah is a challenging business, and the game mechanics make it so.

Animalia Survival is still a work in progress in the Early Access stage. Players immediately will feel that there is work to be done on the game - but it doesn't take away from the intrigue one bit. Each animal has a unique set of skills to exploit when vying for survival. The objective is simple - just stay alive for as long as you can.

The whole concept has a remarkably simple stature - yet somehow keeps players fixated on survival at all costs. There are no real goals in building, crafting, or gathering in the traditional sense. It's more you'll have to eat, hunt, run, and kill your way to glory. Real-world ecosystems are suddenly alive in playable formats - that alone is enough to bring players on board.

Somewhere on the Food Chain

There is a lot of potential with Animalia Survival, especially with the customization options. However, at the moment, the game does feel lacking in substantial areas. The only objective is the test of time. It feels like the game could add mechanics that keep players busy outside of dodging their natural enemies.

Pros:

• Realistic survival concept that brings players to the roles of animals
• Excellent customization and character options
• The survival mechanics feel aligned to a real-world ecosystem

Cons:

• Objectives and goals feel lackluster at the moment
• Perhaps feels a bit comical for a serious game
• A little bit of narrative, lore, or codex wouldn't hurt!