Beep beep, drifter!
- Genre: Indie, RPG, Simulation, Strategy
- Developer: Lo-Fi Games
- Publisher: Lo-Fi Games
- Release date: December 6, 2018
Welcome to the main hub for everything Kenshi. If you have ever been thrown into a brutal, unforgiving sandbox RPG that truly defines player freedom, you know what this game is about. It does not hold your hand. It does not care about your hero’s journey. It simply gives you a world and asks one thing: can you survive?
This page is my curated collection of guides, mod lists, and thoughts on one of the most distinctive RPGs ever made. It is a harsh world out there, so let us get you ready.
Set in an unrelenting world of bloodthirsty cannibals, starving bandits, brutal slavers and wild beasts, survival alone is a gruelling struggle… You are not the chosen one. You’re not great and powerful. You don’t have more ‘hitpoints’ than everyone else. You are not the centre of the universe, and you are not special. Unless you work for it.
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum requirements | Recommended requirements |
| OS | 64-bit Windows | 64-bit Windows 10 |
| Processor | Dual-core 64-bit | Quad-core 64-bit |
| Memory | 6 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Pixel shader 5.0 capable card | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or better |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 14 GB available space | 14 GB available space, SSD recommended |
How Long Does It Take to Complete Kenshi?
| Main Story | Main + Extras | Completionist |
|---|---|---|
| 80 hours | 140 hours | Forever |
Steam Player Count
Kenshi Review: A True Indie Masterpiece
I have spent hundreds of hours in Kenshi’s unforgiving world, and my verdict is ready. Kenshi is a story engine fueled by your own failures and triumphs. It is a masterpiece of sandbox design, but certainly not for everyone. I recommend it to anyone tired of linear storytelling, and I am honored that even the developers, Lo-Fi Games, endorsed this verdict.
“If you’ve not yet dipped your toes into Kenshi, this review is a great introduction, delving into a fair few of the game’s features, foes and factions. Thanks Dafy!”
Kenshi Guides: From Survival to Domination
Survival is the first step. Thriving is the goal. These guides are built on lessons I learned the hard way in the wasteland.
Where to Find Unique Characters and Recruits in Kenshi
Of everything that will try to kill you in Kenshi , and trust me, it is a long list, loneliness…
How to Use Console Commands in Kenshi: Cheats, FCS, IGE, and Cheat Engine
The base version of Kenshi has no console commands, and that is a deliberate choice by the developers to preserve…
How to Import a Game and Saves in Kenshi (Import Game)
When I first learned about Kenshi's save import system, I thought it was some kind of black magic. One minute,…
How to Optimize Kenshi’s Performance and Stop Crashes
You are just trying to survive in the wasteland, build a squad, and perhaps avoid being eaten by cannibals… Instead,…
Armor in Kenshi: The Best Gear for Different Weapons and Where to Buy It
Playing Kenshi taught me one important truth: armor saves lives. When a Skeleton Bandit swings a massive cleaver at your…
What to Do in Kenshi: A Beginner’s Checklist
Staring at Kenshi's main menu and wondering what the hell you are supposed to do? Yes, I understand. This is…
- Kenshi Starting Scenarios Guide: Which start suits you? A complete breakdown of every scenario, from the lone Wanderer to the terrifying Rock Bottom.
- Making Money in Kenshi: Learn the best early-game strategies for earning Cats. We are talking copper mining, theft, and even a few… less honorable ways to fill your pockets.
- Recruiting Unique Characters: Your squad is everything. I show you the locations of all the game’s special recruits so you can assemble the perfect team of warriors, farmers, or thieves.
How to Install Kenshi Mods
Vanilla Kenshi is amazing, but mods make it endless. They can fix old bugs, add entire new continents, or simply make the world feel more alive. They are an essential part of the experience.
Modding Kenshi can look daunting if you do it manually, but it is easier than you think. My guide covers everything you need to know. From the simplest Steam Workshop method to manually installing mods from other websites, this step-by-step guide makes modding straightforward. No more guesswork.
The Best Mods for Kenshi
Kenshi performance mods for better FPS and optimization
Let's face it – if you've ever fired up Kenshi and thought, “Is my PC trying to die?”, you're not…
Essential mods for every Kenshi playthrough
Kenshi throws you into a brutal sandbox and expects you to survive. You start as a nobody, fight for every…
Kenshi overhaul mods: total conversions and new gameplay
Kenshi feels more like a simulation of a hostile sandbox world than a conventional game: a canvas of sand, blood,…
Horror mods for Kenshi
Kenshi is already pretty creepy on its own – having Beak Things chewing off your limbs while you crawl to…
Kenshi mods for a solo playthrough
Do you play Kenshi solo? Well, you're crazy. I respect you. There's something incredibly satisfying about surviving in the wasteland…
Kenshi animation mods: better movement and new animations
Anyone who's spent any decent amount of time in Kenshi knows that the combat animations are… well, wooden. 😅 Don't…
Interactive Kenshi Maps
The World of Kenshi: Wallpapers and Screenshots
There is a strange, desolate beauty in Kenshi’s world, and I have spent a lot of time trying to capture it. This world feels ancient and broken in the best possible way.
Explore the brutal beauty of Kenshi through my curated collection of high-resolution wallpapers and atmospheric screenshots. Perfect for your desktop, or simply admiring the scenery without risking a Beak Thing attack. You can download them without asking, by the way 😉
All Kenshi Posts
Ultimately, I love Kenshi because it respects my intelligence and freedom as a player. This world does not revolve around me, which is exactly what makes claiming a piece of it so satisfying.
If you want to see every article, update, and post I have ever made about the game, browse the complete Kenshi archive here.
Questions About Kenshi
What difficulty should I play on?
Kenshi has no traditional difficulty settings, but you can customize the experience:
Starting scenarios: Wanderer is balanced for beginners. Rock Bottom is brutal, with slavery and one arm. The Holy Sword gives you advantages.
Combat slider: The default 1.0x is recommended for a first playthrough. Lower it for easier combat or raise it for a harder challenge.
I recommend the default settings with the Wanderer scenario to learn the mechanics first.
What is Kenshi’s story about?
Kenshi has no traditional storyline; you create your own. The world is a post-apocalyptic wasteland where ancient empires have fallen. Different factions control territories: the Holy Nation, religious extremists; the Shek Kingdom, a warrior culture; the United Cities, slavers; and others.
You start as a nobody and set your own goals: build a base, run a trading empire, become a thief, overthrow factions, or simply survive. There is no main quest.
Can my PC run Kenshi?
Minimum, 720p-1080p at Low-Medium settings:
CPU: Dual-core 64-bit
GPU: Pixel shader 5.0 capable
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 14GB
Recommended, 1080p at High settings:
CPU: Quad-core 64-bit
GPU: GTX 1060 or better
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 14GB SSD
An SSD is recommended.
Is Kenshi still worth playing?
Yes, if you want complete freedom without hand-holding. Kenshi offers something no other RPG does: a world that does not revolve around you. This 2018 release has aged well thanks to active modding and timeless sandbox design. Your failures create better stories than your victories. Expect dated graphics, an awkward UI, and… But if you are tired of linear plots and enemies that scale with your level, Kenshi has no equal.