Dinkum, being the cozy indie gem that combines the charm of Stardew Valley with crafting and survival aspects of Minecraft, was officially released out of Steam Early Access in late April 2025. Developed by a solo developer, James Bendon, the game is set on a tropical island, reminiscent of the Australian outback, where inhabitants can build their cities, plant crops, breed animals, and explore wild bushland full of kangaroos and crocs.

What makes Dinkum unique, though, is how cleverly it matches up the relaxing life-sim gameplay and the more rugged survival aspects. One minute, you are looking at the fishing and the gardening, but the next, you are mining the resources or going on the defensive against rabid wildlife. It also accommodates seasonal events, with the variation of customizations, and co-op mode for up to 6 players.

With full release, Dinkum brings a new Creative mode allowing players complete freedom to build their islands as they see fit. The launch has been a success, with a million and a half copies sold, a lot of glowing reviews from users, and a growing number of players. With this game being out of Early Access, it won’t be long before we see console versions too. Although no official dates have been set, the developer has hinted that console ports are probably now being developed.

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