Now that I’ve spent about 60 hours in Vintage Story (especially with the 1.20 update), I thought I’d share my experience.
I am a bit of a lurker and I don't typically make forum posts on anything, anywere, ever, but I really wanted to share my appreciation for this game and the developers.
I first got interested in the game because I was looking for a game to satisfy my smithing needs. I kept seeing mentions of Vintage Story pop up on Reddit and other forums, and while I had seen glimpses of the game like random YouTube recommendations and such I didn't think it was for me, but eventually I got around and gave it a shot. I defininetly don't regret it.
Starting out, though, I had no clue what I was doing. My first world was just a series of mistakes. Starving, wasting resources, and not knowing what I needed to focus on. But what really helped me get through those early struggles was the in-game guide. It’s super well-done, giving you enough direction without spoiling the fun of figuring things out for yourself. While I don't think more games should have what I would call an "in-game Wiki", I think it's a perfect fit for Vintage Story due to it's complexity.
What really surprised me about Vintage Story is how it balances realism with fun. Everything, from gathering resources to crafting and exploration, feels deliberate and rewarding. You’re never just grinding for the sake of it—every task has a purpose, and every piece of progress feels earned. I remember spending hours smithing iron chains to craft my first proper armor and it felt so rewarding. Watching the seasons change and seeing how the environment reacts to your presence makes the world feel alive in a way I wasn’t expecting.
Even with the guide, there were still plenty of moments where I felt stuck, especially with the prospector. That’s when I turned to the community. The player base might seem small at first, but there are so many great guides and videos out there. I learned a ton from them, and it helped me understand things I missed, like early-game priorities and preparing for the seasons, as well as figuring out the damn prospector (I get it now, thanks).
After a while, I decided to start fresh with a new world. Going in with some knowledge made a huge difference. I felt like I had a plan this time, and instead of just surviving, I was actually thriving. It was so satisfying to see how much I’d improved, and I think that’s one of the game’s biggest strengths—it really rewards you for learning and growing. I still haven't interacted with a lot of what this game has to offer and looking at the roadmap there is still so much to come and I'm pumped to play around with these upcoming features.
I have a great deal of respect for the developers of this game for many reasons, providing a space for the community in the form of these forums, (from what I could gather) a huge support for modders, providing guides for multide of things e.g. server set-up, having an FAQ and more.
Thank you and keep up the work.
