Don’t Starve (2013): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 87 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4

Runs today5 / 5
Design today3 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Overwhelmingly Positive

109,816 reviews97% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2013
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Don’t Starve run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Expected to work. It is sold for Windows today and no problem is on record. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Playable, as rated by Valve: it works, but may need some manual configuration. SourceNo player reports yet

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Synopsis

A single-player wilderness survival game from Klei Entertainment with a gothic, hand-drawn look. A scientist is stranded in a strange world and must gather resources, craft tools and keep hunger, cold, darkness and his own sanity in check for as long as possible.

What people say

Critics in 2013 liked its striking Tim Burton-like art, its deep crafting and survival systems and the large amount of content for a low price. Some reviewers warned that it is hard, long and slow to farm, and that its harsh survival loop will not suit everyone. Players today still find it addictive and often sink hundreds of hours into it. Common complaints are the lack of a real tutorial, which pushes many to a wiki, a slow and repetitive solo game without its expansions, and occasional crashes that cost progress, while many now point co-op fans to Don't Starve Together instead.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✓Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
✓Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardMovement and actions run on mouse and keyboard, and the Steam version lists full controller support, so either style works without awkward bindings. Source: store.steampowered.com.
✓Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThree round gauges for hunger, health and sanity plus a crafting tab on the left are clear and scale cleanly, since the game is hand-drawn. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
✗Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressDeath is permanent: the world is deleted when the character dies, and reviewers criticized that the game has no way to restore a save. The game does autosave at each dawn, but that only protects against crashes. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
✗It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressThe game explains almost nothing about crafting, monsters or sanity, and one reviewer said it will never hold the player's hand. Most players learn from the wiki or by dying. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingReviewers found the early game dull and the repeated gathering after each death a chore, and every new run starts with the same slow resource loop. Source: en.wikipedia.org.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerThe fixed overhead camera follows the character and can be zoomed, but a reviewer noted that it sometimes hides objects that matter, which is a small flaw rather than a pattern. Source: en.wikipedia.org.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.