After nearly a year in Early Access, the team over at Merge Games is ready to release their ant-sized Smalland: Survive the Wilds into 1.0. We got to explore many massive extensions like the crypts of the Giant’s Fall, the Forbidden Monuments, and the most recent Amber Valleys. Now, with the latest update, we get to climb up the Tyrant’s Perch, complete new world events, become part of a faction, and continue the story.

This also marks the day when Smalland can be playable on console, something many people asked for. The best part is that it’s not the end, as the developers shared a roadmap that covers the rest of 2024.

In Smalland, you are part of a small race of human-like creatures known as smallfolk. One day the queen gets terribly ill and you along with many others are tasked to go out into the world and find a cure. Similar to the game Grounded, you are the size of an ant and will mainly be fighting bugs and hiding from the weather. There are multiple bosses to defeat, like a frog or stag beetle, and you can tame some creatures to turn them into your mount. 

As of this update, the first chapter of the story is complete, which will take you to the new region, the Tyrant’s Perch. This is where you find a new massive structure, the watch tower, a towering structure that gives the game some verticality. As you ascend the turret-ridden floors, you’ll need to rely on your acrobatic skills to jump, swing, and glide your way to the top. However, avoiding traps isn’t all that will be waiting for you here. Along the way, you’ll encounter three new enemies who will try to stop you in your tracks. These foes include the Guardian, a powerful brute with a big hammer ready to deal a lot of damage, the Scout, a nimble adversary that can move quickly and has some acrobatic tricks up his sleeve, and the Swordmaster, a skilled fighter holding 2 long blades (Like as long as himself).

When you make it to the top of the tower, there will be a surprise waiting for you.

World events are a new feature in the game that allows various combat scenarios to appear at different locations across the world. An event will occur every 15-20 minutes and will activate as soon as you’re nearby. Throughout development more kinds of activities will be added, for now, these are the only ones we can do.

Completion of these events will reward you with contribution points. These points can be used to support any of the four factions, the Ants, Spiders, Beasts, and Bees. Each clan offers tradeable armor sets and cosmetic building parts. Once you have contributed 1000 points to a faction, you can align with them and gain a unique perk. The more points you give, the stronger the ability will become. Depending on what group you align with, the perk will help to make your character stronger in combat, better at surviving, taming, or gathering resources.

With 1.0 released, we got a roadmap for the coming year. In the earlier months, we can expect overhauls to the crafting and taming system. Later we will get the option for crossplay, new locations to explore, new types of events, and more faction levels, creatures, and gear.

What do you find most exciting about the new update? Let me know in the comments.