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About Kenshi
Kenshi is a free‑roaming squad‑based RPG that emphasizes sandbox freedom over a linear plot. Players can adopt any role—trader, thief, warlord, farmer, or even a slave—while navigating a harsh desert world. The game features a seamless 870 km² map, allowing unrestricted exploration and survival.
Characters grow through experience, appearance changes, and equipment, while bases can be built, researched, and fortified. Factions react dynamically to player actions, and a realistic medical system adds depth to combat and travel. No hero‑type characters dominate; success depends on player choices and preparation.
01 / THE GUIDE
Open‑World Sandbox
The game offers freeform gameplay in a seamless world, the largest single‑player RPG map since Daggerfall, covering about 870 square kilometres. It never restricts personal play style, letting you wander deserts, towns, or forts at will. Players can be good, evil, a businessman, a thief, or anything in between, with the world continuing its own pace regardless of your actions.
- Explore different biomes early to locate resources and safe havens.
- Observe faction movements to avoid unwanted conflicts.
02 / THE GUIDE
Squad and Character Growth
You can design unlimited characters and assemble a squad that fights for you. Experience improves stats, appearance, and combat ability, with no artificially stronger hero units. Squad members can carry wounded allies to safety. Characters evolve through combat, equipment, and injuries, making each member a potential equal to any NPC you meet.
- Balance your squad’s roles to handle varied threats.
- Keep weaker members alive to benefit from their growth.
03 / THE GUIDE
Base Building and Research
Players can purchase and upgrade buildings to create fortified havens or start businesses. Bases allow technology research, defence upgrades, and gear crafting. Squad members can be set to run production, reducing micromanagement. A fortified base serves as a safe retreat when the world becomes hostile, and it can generate income through trade or manufacturing.
- Prioritise defensive upgrades before expanding production.
- Place research facilities near resource‑rich areas.
04 / THE GUIDE
Medical and Injury System
Kenshi features a realistic medical system where wounds affect movement and combat. A wounded leg forces limping, while arm injuries limit weapon use. Severe injuries may require robotic limb replacements, and blood loss can cause unconsciousness and attract predators. Injuries, encumbrance, starvation, and equipment all influence a character’s stats, making careful health management essential for survival.
- Carry medical supplies to treat wounds promptly.
- Avoid prolonged exposure after heavy blood loss.
05 / THE GUIDE
Faction Interaction
The world hosts multiple factions that react to your deeds. You may aid or oppose them, influencing trade, safety, and territorial control. The world continues moving regardless of your stance, and no level‑scaling ensures factions remain a challenge. Your choices can free slaves, become a slave, or even raze cities, shaping the dynamic, ever‑changing environment.
- Maintain neutral relations with several factions for safer travel.
- Track faction reputation to anticipate hostile encounters.
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