Don't starve is a sandbox wilderness survival adventure with a very distinct graphical style currently just in beta, the release is approaching and will add more content, a story mode (current mode is "freeplay"), but I feel like not waiting to write something.
As with other stylistic games you may be immediately put off by the graphics, but for myself I couldn't possibly get enough of it. Its sort of a Tim Burton meets Paper Mario, a hand-drawn paper cut out kind of style and while it could stand to be a little higher rez, its so unique and refreshing that I love it.
You begin as Wilson, dropped off some what unceremoniously into this wilderness by a devilish looking character named Maxwell, surely the full game will have a lot more story, but even this is more than enough to get your imagination rolling as Maxwell gives you really all the instructions you need. Find something to eat.
You can use WASD or click to move and Q/E to rotate, you have an inventory that never has enough space, a huge greyed out map to explore, filled with wildlife that may help you, or may eat you.
A number of crafting recipes quickly teach you the importance of collecting (everything) around you and crafting to survive, axes to cut down trees, shovels to dig up and replant bushes or grass, grass to make into rope, or combining with a stick to make a torch.
In these first few moments of your survival you'll probably notice not only does Wilson have a Heart meter (health, duh) but also a stomach which is draining somewhat fast. Don't starve indeed. Killing local critters or picking berries or finding seeds will get you through if you find a lot but another large problem approaches as the sun goes down and the night turns pitch black, well actually several problems. I'll let you figure out the rest.
Nearly everything in Don't Starve smacks of reward vs punishment, something you may be doing that you think is a good idea could very well turn out to be your downfall and when you die its over and you start again at Day 1. You will carry over any recipe unlocks and research points and gain some exp towards unlocking the other playable characters so not quite all is lost. I really cant spoil a lot about the game as the best part about Don't Starve is figuring it out for yourself, and seeing the surprises (trust me their some great Oh $h*t moments) that the game has in store for you.
The sound effects are moody and creepy, reminding me of a something like Tell Tale Heart, as you can usually hear things you probably shouldn't be able to, but its more than enough to set you on edge and build a good amount of tension.
Constantly juggling exploring, not starving, not getting killed, having enough supplies, figuring out what is a horrible mistake and what is a good idea all comes together with Don't Starve's huge graphical flair to make a game that is hugely worth it, even as it is now in just beta and will undoubtedly be even more so in March with the games full launch.