Summary of "Hytale - A Chip Off The Old Block"

Summary of Hytale - A Chip Off The Old Block

Game Storyline and Background

Hytale has a fascinating development history spanning 10 years. It was created by a small team, bought by a large corporation, cancelled, and then repurchased by the original creators. The game recently launched into early access.

The setting features open-world exploration, crafting, and combat with a blocky, cube-based aesthetic reminiscent of Minecraft.

Gameplay Highlights

Players begin by punching trees to gather wood and quickly progress to crafting basic tools such as crude hatchets and swords.
Combat requires timing attacks and blocks against roaming monsters from the start.
Resource gathering includes wood, stone, essence of life (from enemies), and later copper, iron, and other ores.
The player establishes a base called “Jonopoulos” near ancient ruins, rivers, and quarries, using materials like marble and chalk for building.
Proper lighting of the base with torches is critical for defense against night-time monsters.
Crafting is straightforward, with workbenches allowing the creation of weapons, armor, furniture, and cooking tools.
Weapons vary by type and speed:
- Daggers are fast with lunges.
- Maces are slow but heavy.
- Battle axes are powerful.
Armor crafting progresses from basic to copper pieces, improving survivability.
Mining involves digging at an angle to avoid getting trapped, exploring caves with torches to mark explored paths.
Players encounter underground dungeons, explosive mushrooms, skeleton enemies, and a wizard’s lair full of loot.
The tech tree progresses through materials in this order: copper → iron → thorium → cobalt → adamantite → mythril.
Forgotten temples can be found and explored, unlocking recipes and story elements when memories are restored.
The game features a pocket dimension where players trade and store discovered creature memories to gain rewards.
Night-time is dangerous with stronger enemies; stealth, ranged attacks, and armor are key survival strategies.
Linen scraps must be gathered from enemies to upgrade crafting stations and unlock higher-tier gear.
Overall, the game is described as comfortable and familiar—not radically innovative but well-made and enjoyable for extended play sessions.

Strategies and Key Tips

Start by punching trees and gathering wood immediately.
Craft a sword early for defense; use blocking and timing in combat.
Eat berries to restore health.
Set up a well-lit base to protect against night monsters.
Use hardwood (oak) for better quality doors and furniture.
Explore caves carefully with torches to avoid getting lost.
Mine copper and iron to upgrade tools and craft better weapons and armor.
Avoid digging straight down; dig at an angle for safety.
Collect essence of life and essence of the void from enemies for crafting and story progression.
Use ranged weapons to handle dangerous enemies from a distance.
Prioritize gathering linen scraps from enemies to unlock advanced recipes.
Explore forgotten temples to unlock new crafting options and story content.
Sleep during the night to avoid monster attacks and reset the day safely.

Summary Impression

Hytale is an early access game with a solid foundation. It combines familiar crafting and exploration mechanics with RPG elements like memory unlocking and a tech tree. The game encourages exploration, resource management, and combat skill.

The reviewer enjoyed the game’s comfort and potential and expressed interest in future updates and live streams.

Featured Gamer/Source: John from Many A True Nerd