Primal Planet
Publisher: Pretty Soon
Unveil a heartfelt story of family, dinosaurs, and UFOs! Craft, upgrade, and survive in a realm of primeval predators, savage tribes and... ancient aliens. Rise from a humble cave dweller to the planet’s last hope — alone or in local co-op. Welcome to the dinovania!
After a T-Rex attack, a caveman is separated from his family. To find them, he must cross a vast interconnected prehistoric world, face hostile dinosaurs and uncover the secrets of a planet that is more than it first appears. Developed by Seethingswarm and published by Pretty Soon, Primal Planet is a pixel-art Metroidvania combining exploration, crafting, light survival systems and local co-op.
The world unfolds in layers. New abilities let you reach previously inaccessible areas, while collected resources are used to craft weapons, tools, traps and healing items. The story is largely visual, with dinosaurs that can be dangerous as well as friendly creatures that give the adventure a warm personality.
We loved: The contrast between prehistoric adventure and science-fiction elements. Forests, mountains and caves give the game a familiar identity, while UFOs and planetary mysteries gradually expand the story.
We liked: Local co-op. A second player can join the adventure as Sino, a sinosauropteryx companion with unique skills. This changes the way you explore and makes encounters more accessible.
Our highlight: The wordless storytelling. Primal Planet tells its story through images, animation, music and character reactions. It keeps the adventure readable while leaving room for interpretation.
Our tip to help you: Use raw meat as bait to distract dinosaurs before entering dangerous areas. Upgrade your breath duration early to make underwater sections easier. In villages, recruit characters who can accompany you, since their support makes a real difference before you have improved your combat stats.
Who is this game for?
Primal Planet is aimed at players aged 7 and over who enjoy Metroidvanias, pixel art and prehistoric adventures. Local co-op makes it especially appealing to families and pairs. Players who enjoy exploration with crafting and clear progression will find a generous adventure lasting around 11 to 15 hours.
Press scores: Metacritic 77/100 | OpenCritic, around 80% critics recommend | Very Positive Steam reviews
