You are tiny. Everything around you is not. A beetle is a threat. A root system is a geography. The size shift is the entire premise, and Smalland commits to it consistently enough that it never feels like a novelty that wears off after the first hour. The game supports up to 10-player online co-op — more than most survival titles in this category. You gather miniaturized materials that dwarf you, build bases into the landscape rather than on top of it, and tame creatures including grasshoppers, damselflies, and spiders that eventually become rideable mounts. Since the full 1.0 release in February 2024, new biomes, underground cavern areas, and a guild system have been added. It's in better shape now than it was at launch, which isn't always the case with survival games arriving out of early access. The part that doesn't quite match the rest is the melee combat. Clunky is the right word. Enemy encounters happen constantly in this genre, and fighting never becomes as satisfying as building a base or exploring somewhere new. With a group of friends, that imbalance matters less — exploration and construction carry a co-op session comfortably. Alone, you feel it more. God is a Geek gave it 8.5 out of 10. Steam holds at 81% positive. Solid for anyone who put serious hours into Grounded and wants a different angle on the same core idea.
SMALLAND
Best if you want a survival crafting experience from a bug's-eye view, where rain becomes a flood and a squirrel is your apex predator — playable solo or with friends in co-op.
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Why We Recommend This Game
SMALLAND takes the familiar survival-crafting loop and reframes it entirely through scale. You're not just gathering resources and building a base — you're doing it in a world where every environmental system feels amplified and genuinely threatening. Rain doesn't just set a mood; it reshapes the terrain around you. Wind can scatter your gear. These aren't cosmetic details — they're active gameplay considerations that keep you engaged and on your toes in ways most survival games don't bother with. The crafting and base-building systems follow a familiar progression: gather materials, unlock recipes, upgrade tools, push into more dangerous territory. If you've played games like Grounded or Valheim, the rhythm will feel comfortable. But SMALLAND earns its own identity through the density and dynamism of its ecosystem. Animals behave according to their own logic — ants are collecting food for a colony, predators are hunting prey — and none of them particularly care about your survival. This creates an open world that feels lived-in rather than constructed around you. For solo players, the game offers a steady challenge curve with a peaceful mode available if you'd rather explore and admire the miniature world without constant combat pressure. That flexibility is genuinely valuable — it means the game works as both a chill exploration experience and a tense survival challenge depending on your mood or session goals. Where SMALLAND really shines is in co-op. Facing down an oversized beetle or scrambling to secure your base before a storm hits is dramatically more fun with friends. The online multiplayer support makes this accessible without needing to coordinate local setups, and the shared survival pressure creates natural moments of teamwork and chaos. Session length is flexible — you can drop in for a focused resource run or sink hours into base expansion and ecosystem exploration. The learning curve is gentle enough for survival genre newcomers but rewards experienced players who want to engage with its environmental systems more deeply. At a Metacritic score of 75, it's a solid entry in the genre rather than a genre-definer, but for the right player it delivers an experience that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere.
Best For
- Survival crafting fans who want a fresh perspective and reactive environmental systems
- Co-op players looking for a shared survival sandbox with friends
- Players who enjoyed Grounded and want a similar miniaturized survival experience
Not For
- Players who want a narrative-driven RPG with strong story structure — the focus is squarely on sandbox survival
- Those who find resource gathering and base building loops repetitive — there's limited mechanical variety beyond survival systems
- Players expecting AAA production values or a deeply polished experience
Multiplayer & Game Modes
10 online
SMALLAND does not support crossplay, supports up to 10 players online, features co-op campaign mode.
Features
Play Modes
Single Player • Multiplayer • Co-op • Online Multiplayer
Player Count
- Online
- 1-10
- Team Sizes
- Co-op up to 10 players
Additional Details
Steam lists Online Co-op and up to 10 players. No split-screen/couch co-op indicated. PCGamingWiki does not list LAN or local multiplayer support. Cross-play is not advertised on the Steam store page or PCGamingWiki; treat as none. Co-op is the primary multiplayer mode (no official PvP mode listed).
Edition and Platform Information
Important details about which version to buy and where to play.
Which Edition to Buy
Released in full in February 2025 after an Early Access period. Check patch notes if you played during Early Access, as systems and balance have evolved since initial release.
Platform Recommendations
Available on PC. The tag list and available modes suggest strong online infrastructure for multiplayer — ensure a stable connection for co-op sessions.
Accessibility Features
A peaceful mode removes or reduces survival pressure, making the game accessible to players who want exploration without constant threat. No specific accessibility feature documentation is publicly prominent beyond difficulty flexibility.
Screenshots
Click any screenshot to view in full size
Games Similar to SMALLAND
If you enjoyed SMALLAND, you'll love these similar games. We've handpicked titles based on gameplay style, difficulty, atmosphere, and what players like you are enjoying. Whether you're looking for something with a similar vibe, more challenge, or the same multiplayer features, these recommendations have you covered.
Great for Co-op
4Cooperative multiplayer games that emphasize teamwork and shared objectives, building on the social aspects of SMALLAND.
Co-op backyard survival with the same “tiny in a huge world” feel—shared base building, bug fights, and expeditions make teamwork feel essential.
Drop-in co-op survival where friends can split roles—gathering, crafting, building longhouses, and sailing to new biomes for boss-driven progression.
Co-op vampire survival with castle building and tight action combat—hunt bosses together, farm blood types, and upgrade gear for bigger world threats.
Online co-op survival that turns chores into teamwork—expand a floating base, craft stations, and explore islands together with clear shared goals.
Building & Crafting
4Creative building and crafting games that expand on the construction mechanics found in SMALLAND.
A huge crafting sandbox loop: mine, build elaborate bases, automate farms, and push into escalating bosses—great if you want endless building freedom.
Survival and base-building at a grand scale—massive structures, crafting tiers, thrall capture, and open-world exploration with long-term server play.
Planet-hopping sandbox with deep crafting and base building—collect resources, expand tech, and set up outposts across a near-infinite exploration loop.
Craft-and-survive progression anchored by building functional seabases—scanning tech, upgrading tools, and exploring deeper biomes for better materials.
More Challenging
2For players who mastered SMALLAND and want to test their skills against harder difficulty, punishing mechanics, and unforgiving gameplay.
Punishing survival where planning matters—seasonal threats, sanity management, and harsh resource pressure push you to optimize camps and teamwork.
Tense survival with dangerous nights—scarcer safety, aggressive enemies, and higher stakes exploration make base defenses and resource runs feel risky.
More Accessible
2More accessible alternatives to SMALLAND with streamlined mechanics, intuitive controls, and beginner-friendly onboarding.
Friendly pacing with flexible difficulty—quick crafting, clear goals if you want them, and limitless building let you relax or ramp up at your own speed.
Gentler survival-crafting with cozy exploration—build a hub base, automate resource loops, and tackle bosses at your pace with smooth co-op progression.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this game answered by our team.
How hard is it?
Moderate on default settings — environmental hazards like rain and wildlife create real danger. A peaceful mode is available for a more relaxed experience. Survival veterans will find the challenge engaging without being punishing.
How long does it take to beat?
Expect 20–40 hours for a focused playthrough. Sandbox and base-building elements can extend that significantly, especially in co-op where the experience naturally stretches across more sessions.
Is it good for beginners to the survival genre?
Yes — the peaceful mode and gradual resource progression make it accessible. The core loop is familiar enough that newcomers can find their footing without feeling overwhelmed immediately.
How does co-op work?
Online multiplayer co-op supports multiple players in the same world. You can tackle survival challenges together, split tasks, or just explore. It's one of the game's strongest features and recommended for the best experience.
Is it similar to Grounded?
Yes — both shrink you down and make nature threatening. SMALLAND leans harder into dynamic environmental systems like weather impact and ecosystem AI. If you liked Grounded, this is worth a look.