Don't Starve vs Don't Starve Together: single-player vs co-op, 11 vs 18 characters, what the three DS DLCs add, whether DST works solo, and which to buy.
Don't Starve vs Don't Starve Together — Which Should You Play?
The one-line difference: Don't Starve (2013) is a single-player survival game, Don't Starve Together (2016) is its multiplayer expansion — and DST long ago became Klei's main game: more characters (18 vs 11), ten years of nonstop updates, and it plays perfectly solo too. If you're torn between "don't starve vs don't starve together," you're really asking three questions: solo or multiplayer? Do you care about the original's tight story mode? And how do you get the most value for your money? This guide gives you the full comparison table, what the three DS DLCs are, what solo DST actually feels like, and scenario-based buying advice.
Official resources: Steam store page (DST) · Steam store page (Don't Starve) · Wikipedia (Don't Starve) · IGN game page · Klei official site
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Dimension | Don't Starve (2013) | Don't Starve Together (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Single-player | 1-6 players (solo works) |
| Characters | 11 | 18 (including 5 DST exclusives) |
| Story/DLC structure | Tight single-player narrative + three DLCs (Reign of Giants / Shipwrecked / Hamlet) | One world + a decade of free updates (no paid story DLC; paid content is skins) |
| Bosses | Fixed roster | More + seasonal giants + shadow/lunar endgame paths + rifts |
| Update status | Finished (no new content) | Active (still updating in 2025-2026) |
| Mods | Steam Workshop (limited) | Huge Workshop ecosystem + dedicated servers |
| Difficulty | Tuned precisely for solo | Tuned for teams; solo late game is harder |
| Price | Cheap standalone, usually bundled with DST | $14.99 (includes a gift copy) |
DST entered early access at the end of 2014 and fully released on 2016-04-21; from June 3, 2015, original Don't Starve owners got DST free. That's where the "buy DS, get DST" rumor comes from — it was true back then, but now you buy them separately (or as a bundle).
Can You Play DST Solo? Yes — and Plenty of People Prefer It
DST fully supports solo play, and most content is doable alone (including endgame bosses — they just demand execution). Among veteran players, "solo DST" is arguably more common than going back to the original, for solid reasons:
- Massive content advantage: 18 characters, the lunar island/ocean, both shadow and lunar endgame paths, rifts — all missing from the original
- Tunable world settings: resource density, seasonal threats and boss toggles are all adjustable; solo players can dial their comfort zone
- The original's only two real advantages: its tight story mode (Adventure mode / the Maxwell throne arc) and a difficulty curve designed for exactly one person
World preset: relaxed (more resources) + character: Wendy (Abigail helps) or Wilson (no weaknesses). Solo DST's real difficulty is time management, not intensity — run the beginner guide's first-ten-day checklist and you'll settle into a rhythm.
Story and World: What Each One Gives You
- Don't Starve (original): more direct storytelling — Wilson is lured by a radio into building a machine, gets dragged into the Constant, discovers Maxwell trapped on the Nightmare Throne in Adventure mode, and ends up on the throne himself. One complete, compact story arc.
- DST: story is spread across ten years of updates — the moon vs shadow war, Charlie taking the throne, the rifts arriving. Total volume far exceeds the original, but you have to piece it together yourself (inspect quotes, update animations, event narratives). The full thread is in the DST lore guide.
Difficulty Compared: Who Has It Harder
- Original: fixed tuning for one player — hard but fair, a smooth curve.
- DST solo: harder late (boss health and mechanics are designed for teams), but the settings menu softens it.
- DST with a group: easier than both — 2-6 people split resources, revive each other and divide labor; most threats drown in numbers.
What Are the Three DS DLCs (Do DST Players Need Them)?
| DLC | Theme | Relation to DST |
|---|---|---|
| Reign of Giants | The four-season system + seasonal giants (Deerclops etc.) | Everything is already built into DST — DST's seasons and giants come from here |
| Shipwrecked | Tropical islands, sailing, monsoon seasons | Standalone gameplay, not in DST; but the character Warly was promoted into DST |
| Hamlet | Pig town, trading, rainforest | Standalone gameplay, not in DST; the character Wormwood was promoted into DST |
Bottom line: DST players don't need any of the three DLCs — DST players only benefit from the promoted characters, and every mechanic got its own DST version (seasons/ocean/lunar island). Buy the Mega Pack only if you specifically want the single-player DLCs.
Buying Advice: Pick Your Scenario
| Your situation | Buy |
|---|---|
| Want to play with friends (at all) | DST (the only multiplayer option) |
| Pure solo, maximum content | DST (18 characters + every update) |
| Pure solo, want a tight story experience | Don't Starve (base or Mega Pack) |
| Unsure / want everything | Don't Starve MEGA PACK (DS + DST + all three DLCs bundled; frequent Steam sale discounts; ~$37.74 in the 2026 edition) |
DST has no full cross-platform play — confirm your friends bought the same platform's version (Steam/PS/Xbox/Switch) before you pay, or you won't be playing together. Platform matrix in the DST platforms guide, co-op rules in the multiplayer guide.
Done With DST? Similar Games to Try
DS and DST are already each other's closest match. To expand your survival library further (Oxygen Not Included, RimWorld, Valheim, Project Zomboid and more, one by one), see our games like Don't Starve recommendations; for the physical-tabletop option, see the official Don't Starve board game guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Don't Starve and Don't Starve Together?
Don't Starve is the 2013 single-player game (finished, three DLCs); DST is the 2016 multiplayer version (18 characters, a decade of free updates, solo-playable) and is now Klei's main game.
Can you play Don't Starve Together alone?
Yes, and most content is soloable. World settings are adjustable, and Wendy/Wilson are the recommended solo picks; the original's only remaining advantage is its compact story mode.
Which is better, Don't Starve or DST?
For most people (2026): DST — more content, ongoing updates, works solo or multiplayer. The original's only hard advantages are the tight single-player narrative and its DLCs (Shipwrecked/Hamlet).
Do I need to play Don't Starve before DST?
No. DST is a complete entry point; the story connection is optional background. Controls and loops are identical between the two — there's no "learn on the original first" advantage.
Is DST harder than Don't Starve?
DST solo is harder late (team-tuned bosses); the original is fixed single-player difficulty; DST with a group is easier than either.
Related Guides
- How to Play Don't Starve Together — Beginner Survival Guide
- DST Platform Guide — Switch, PS5, PC, Xbox and Mobile Explained
- DST Characters Guide — All 18 Survivors Explained
- Games Like Don't Starve — 9 Co-op and Solo Survival Picks
- Official Don't Starve Board Game Guide — Kickstarter, Gameplay and Contents
- DST Lore Guide — Maxwell, Charlie and the Story of the Constant
Last updated: August 12, 2026.
More Don't Starve Together Guides
Games like Don't Starve: Oxygen Not Included, RimWorld, Terraria, Valheim, Project Zomboid, Core Keeper and V Rising — split into co-op and solo picks.
The Don't Starve story explained: the Constant, Maxwell (William Carter)'s origin, Charlie and the Nightmare Throne, nightmare fuel and the lunar vs shadow war.
Where to play Don't Starve Together: Switch, PS4/PS5 (2025 native PS5 version), Xbox, Steam PC/Mac/Linux, the mobile Newhome confusion and Game Pass status.