Imagine being a duck in a survival game. Not just any duck – you can fly, builds nests, use weapons, and fight for resources. That’s Duckside in a nutshell. It’s like Rust or DayZ, but with a cuter, more playful vibe. The idea of a persistent world filled with hat-wearing ducks battling for survival immediately caught my attention. Is it worth the hype?
First, let’s talk about the fun stuff. Flying in Duckside is a blast. Soaring over the map, collecting materials, and building a nest feels fresh and different. The crafting system is easy to use, and combat feels smooth, whether you’re swinging a tiny axe or shooting duck-sized guns. The game’s look is charming, with colorful visuals that make it feel lighthearted compared to the darker tone of games like Rust. Honestly, I was sold on the idea of being a duck with a pirate hat before I even started playing.
But here’s the thing: as fun as it is to build and explore, Duckside can be rough for new players. Every time I tried to interact with someone, I got attacked or killed on the spot. My nest? Raided over and over, even when I barely had anything worth taking. The global chat was no better—full of rude and toxic messages that made me want to log off.
It’s clear the game is built around PVP, but it feels unbalanced. Raiding other players is way too easy. A couple of C4 charges can wipe out even a well-built nest in minutes. In other survival games, raiding takes more effort and planning. Here, it feels like there’s no real way to defend yourself unless you’re already part of a big group.
That’s my biggest issue with Duckside: it doesn’t feel welcoming to solo players or people who prefer crafting over constant fighting. I spent hours building a cozy little nest, only to have it destroyed by a group of aggressive ducks while I was offline. It’s frustrating to put in so much time, only to lose everything so quickly.
That said, there are still things I really like about Duckside. The developers are clearly working hard to improve the game. New weapons, tools, and locations have been added since its beta days, and it’s great to see the game getting better with time. Exploring the map and discovering new features, like the oil rig, adds some much-needed variety to the experience.
DUCKSIDE: Would I recommend Duckside? If you’re a solo player who loves building and crafting, probably not—at least, not right now. The game’s current meta heavily favors aggressive PVP players, and the community can be off-putting. But if you have friends to play with or don’t mind the grind of losing everything repeatedly, Duckside is worth a shot. Its mechanics are fantastic, and the core gameplay is genuinely fun. – Tom Henry
In the end, Duckside is a unique survival game that’s both fun and frustrating. It has great mechanics and loads of charm, but it needs better balance to make it enjoyable for everyone—not just the most aggressive ducks out there. For now, I’ll keep playing, hoping for changes that make the game feel less stressful and more welcoming.
