Rust is an unflinching multiplayer survival game that requires endurance and patience in order to really unlock its potential. The dynamics it creates in terms of player interaction are endlessly fascinating and prove to be a real boon for organic narrative flashpoints between players. Its pure multiplayer focus does mean it doesn’t have what you’d call a traditional endgame, but it more than makes up for that with the unpredictability its social design brings.

Rust Console Edition generally maintains its core tenants and starts its console life on the right foot in most areas.

Rust Console Edition is, simply, a console port of an 8-year-old PC survival game that has managed to stand the test of time. It may not perform as smoothly on console yet but the desperate fights for survival against hostile forces still remains.

Smaller bugs such as textures not loading (or missing entirely, perhaps), with the item glowing a bright, uniform white instead, were obnoxious but not impossible to ignore. They simply pull the player out of a game that is otherwise engaging on multiple fronts. The constant search for food and water, new loot or materials to expand a base amidst the ever-present danger of other players makes Rust Console Edition a compelling title for players interested in the survival genre or unable to play the PC version, but be prepared for some frustrating and immersion-breaking occurrences.

Rust Console Edition manages to transcribe the wildly popular PC experience, but a few key missing features mean it falls short of what it should be. It could be great in time, but right now it feels like a disappointing misstep in comparison to the fleshed out PC version.

Rust Console Edition is a vastly inferior version of the game being sold at a higher price.

Rust: Console Edition will see its player base split into two. You’ll either spend your time dying repeatedly, or you’ll get good enough to become the villain of the server.