I'm loving Hightail, but early access has me re-establishing this forgotten sandbox RPG gem.

Hytale Haven't been out but only for days at this point, and I've already put about 20 hours into it. To some, 20 hours in such a game may seem like child's play. But for me—a husband with two kids and two very demanding jobs—such numbers ultimately mean that I've had a few late nights and less sleep over the last few days because of them. However, as much as I enjoyed it, Hytale It's only in early access, so I've encountered a lot of bugs and there are some features that aren't available at this time. As a result, it has me reinstalling the same game from 2017 that I fell in love with for its attractive art style and presentation, its rewarding exploration and fantasy world, and its knack for taking the freedom of sandbox gameplay and merging it with the combat and progression mechanics of a good RPG.

A little over 8 years ago, I discovered something called a sandbox RPG Portal Nights That, for me, was the total package. It wasn't the first game to mix sandbox mechanics with RPG elements, but it was the first game to popularize a hybrid in 3D voxel sandbox with drop-in multiplayer and a more structured adventure loop. now, Hytale Giving me similar vibes with its gameplay and its atmosphere. They're two different sports, and I'll die on that mountain, but there must be a reason I'm suddenly craving it. Portal Nights Again after many years away.

Hytale isn't Portal Knights, but it's pretty close

Hytale Already a familiar experience, in a very obvious way. After all, the developer of the game is none other than Hypixel Studios, the team behind one of the most popular. Minecraft Servers around the world. likewise, Hytale'The legacy is deeply rooted MinecraftAnd that influence is evident in its visuals, world design, and gameplay. However, I would argue this Hytale Basically what if Minecraft and Portal Nights was a child

How Hytale and Portal Knights compare

3D sandbox exploration – Both games place players in worlds where you dig, build, and traverse scenarios that encourage creative discovery and construction.
A mix of construction and craft with action – Portal Nights Blends building and combat with RPG elements, and Hytale Also combines sandbox building with RPG-style progression and deep combat systems.
RPG effects – Portal Nights Along with crafting and building are classes, battles, and bosses, and Hytale Equally RPG conventions like gear progression, enemies, and dungeons layer on a sandbox foundation.
Cooperative and multiplayer support – Supports playing with both friends. Portal Nights Allows up to four players to form teams, and Hytale Multiplayer is designed around servers and co-op play.
Explorations beyond the sandbox creativity – Portal Nights Gives players quests and structured combat challenges, and Hytale Its adventure mode and areas aim to include structured objectives and combat encounters.
Character progression and loot — in Portal Nights You level up and collect better gear. Hytale Also features RPG progression with equipment and combat enhancements.
Focus on fantasy and adventure – Portal Nights Leaning towards a fantasy action RPG vibe, and Hytale It also emphasizes adventure with fantasy settings and sandbox play.

obviously, Hytale and Portal Nights share a lot in common. It wasn't necessary Hytale's mechanics that immediately got me thinking Portal Nights However. Upon entering the world, the music and atmosphere immediately took me back to the first time I played it Portal NightsEven if I was looking at the screen it looks like Minecraft than anything else. I'll admit, it was nostalgic, but Portal Nights Not yet at the age where its gameplay doesn't catch on. After spending several hours Hytale During my first session with it, I got there Portal NightsAnd that turned out to be very much the case.

In many ways, it felt like I was still playing HytaleJust with a more whimsical coat of paint on it. Indeed, if it were not for Hytale'The world is so big and its scenery so varied, I might have thought Portal Nights Essentially the same game. HytaleThe initial access status of the also does not help the comparison, e.g Portal Nights There are already some elements in place HypixelThe sandbox RPG finally plans out like a story-driven adventure mode. The similarities are very hard to ignore. I mean, come on…Hytale There are also portals.

Still my love Portal Nights Didn't stop me from wanting to dive in for more hours Hytale. Maybe it's because it's new and so many others are playing it now, because I've fallen victim to the hype train a time or two. Maybe it's because music reminds me Portal NightsEvery now and then, a track will play that sounds like it's straight out The Elder Scrolls soundtrack. Or maybe it's just the reason Hytale A good game even with some understandable flaws in the early access phase.

I would still strongly recommend Portal Nights Someone who has never played it and is enjoying it Hytale However. On Steam alone, it has managed to maintain a very positive rating over the last 8 years with almost 5,000 reviews, and it is also available on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Come to think of it, maybe I should play Portal Nights On my switch 2 and save Hytale for my pc. Needless to say, Portal Nights One of those gems that, in my opinion, did not deserve the audience, and if you are a fan of it HytaleYou already understand why I think that.

Portal Knights is also playable on iOS and Android.

That's really the lens that I encourage people to look at it through. If Hytale already caught you Portal Nights Sounds like an easy recommendation because it offers a version of that core appeal without the growing pains of early access. It's a reminder of how satisfying a sandbox RPG genre mashup can be when all of its systems are already in place and working in harmony. Playing it now doesn't feel like a step back or less settled. It feels like filling in the blanks Hytale It continues to find its footing, and what is enjoyable for some Hytale Trying to be, it makes Portal Nights More than worth your time.