8 /10 17

Donut County challenges convention by placing players in control of a sentient hole that grows increasingly voracious as it consumes everything in its path. Developed solo by Ben Esposito over six years, this physics-based puzzle game combines mechanical ingenuity with comedic storytelling centered on a trash-loving raccoon named BK. The game’s novelty never outstays its welcome; its 90-minute runtime respects player time while delivering meaningful themes about gentrification and community through absurdist humor. This indie triumph proves that constraint breeds creativity.

How to Play Donut County

Movement is deceptively simple: you drag the hole around the screen to consume smaller objects, gradually enlarging it until you can swallow buildings and landscapes. Progression follows a level structure where each location tells a story through flashback sequences as you devour its contents.

1. Controls – Mouse or touch controls guide the hole across 2D environments. The learning curve is minimal; anyone can pick it up immediately.
2. Progression – Complete each level by consuming everything on-screen. Story cutscenes unlock between stages, revealing how the county ended up underground.
3. Mechanics – Size matters. Early levels limit what you can swallow; larger objects appear as you grow. The puzzle element emerges through understanding object relationships.
4. Tips – Take your time and enjoy the character interactions. The humor is exceptionally witty, and rushing ruins the experience’s core charm.

Who Should Play Donut County

Donut County appeals to indie game enthusiasts seeking narrative-driven experiences with mechanical innovation. Its brevity and low difficulty make it accessible to players seeking relaxation without frustration. The writing elevates it beyond casual puzzle fare into genuine comedic territory.

• Indie Enthusiasts – Solo developers and creative experimentation define your interests. This game exemplifies how personal vision translates into memorable gameplay.
• Story-Focused Players – Character arcs and environmental storytelling matter more than mechanical complexity. The BK and Mira relationship carries emotional weight.
• Casual Gamers – No time pressure, no fail states, no punishment for exploration. Pure relaxation with personality baked in.
• Skip if – You demand 20+ hour campaigns or complex mechanical systems. This is a contained experience designed around a single concept.

Donut County Platform Performance

Donut County runs smoothly across all platforms due to its low technical requirements. Performance is never a concern; the game prioritizes artistic consistency through its signature flat-color vector aesthetic that scales beautifully to any resolution.

Donut County System Requirements

Donut County is remarkably lightweight, running on hardware from 2008. The vector-based art direction eliminated texture requirements entirely, keeping system demands minimal while maintaining visual fidelity across decades of hardware.

Similar Games to Donut County

If Donut County clicked for you, these titles share its blend of accessible mechanics, comedic storytelling, and artistic polish. Each offers similar runtime brevity paired with outsized emotional impact and creative ambition.

• Untitled Goose Game – Control a mischievous goose completing task-based chaos. Similar irreverent humor and satisfaction through environmental manipulation, though with more structured objectives.
• A Short Hike – Peaceful exploration platformer with genuine emotional resonance. Shares Donut County’s respect for player time and focus on discovery over challenge.
• What Remains of Edith Finch – Narrative-driven walking simulator exploring family stories through environmental vignettes. Ben Esposito’s former project; profound storytelling in brief playtime.
• The Unfinished Swan – Experimental platformer emphasizing novel mechanics and creative progression. Shares design philosophy of introducing concepts and moving on before they stale.

Donut County vs Competitors

Donut County occupies a unique niche between mobile puzzle games and narrative adventures. Compared to similar indie titles, its mechanical simplicity paradoxically strengthens its position through focused execution and writing quality that towers above typical puzzle games.

Donut County Story and World

The narrative unfolds through flashback sequences as you consume a fictional Southern California county. Donut County’s residents gather in an underground cavern above your ever-expanding pit, recounting how their homes were swallowed. Ben Esposito weaponizes his personal experience with LA gentrification, filtering it through the perspective of BK, a bumbling tech-bro raccoon obsessed with acquiring a drone quadcopter. The game explores how individual ambitions ripple outward, destroying communities through thoughtlessness. Mira, the young girl whose home was consumed first, anchors the emotional core. Their relationship transforms from antagonistic to understanding as the mystery unravels. The tone balances dark commentary with lighthearted sarcasm, never becoming preachy despite tackling serious themes.

Donut County Multiplayer and Online

Donut County remains a single-player experience with no online connectivity. The game prioritizes intimate, personal storytelling that doesn’t translate well to collaborative play. Each player’s journey with BK and Mira is meant for solitary contemplation and discovery.

• Story Mode – Solo campaign with no competitive or cooperative elements. Designed for individual pacing and reflection.
• Free Play Levels – Unlock bonus stages after completing the story. Same sandbox mechanics without narrative framing.
• Community Sharing – Players often share favorite moments and screenshots online, but in-game features don’t facilitate multiplayer.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable. The game’s design philosophy emphasizes solo discovery.

Donut County DLC and Expansions

Ben Esposito released the game as a complete experience without DLC or planned expansions. The developer’s philosophy prioritizes finishing a vision fully before moving onward rather than extending through post-launch content. This respects the game’s carefully crafted 90-minute arc.

• Base Game – Story campaign with all flashback levels, character interactions, and puzzle sequences included at launch.
• Free Updates – Occasional balance patches and performance optimizations across platforms, but no content additions.
• Physical Editions – Annapurna Interactive announced physical releases on Switch and PlayStation, featuring beautiful packaging by iam8bit.
• Post-Launch Support – The game remains stable and complete; no battle pass, seasonal content, or monetization beyond the initial purchase.

Donut County Community and Support

The Donut County community remains vibrant across social platforms, celebrating the game’s unique design and emotional impact. Official support focuses on technical stability while letting players create their own communities and discussions.

• Official Channels – Ben Esposito and Annapurna Interactive maintain presence on Twitter/X and official websites. Direct developer communication is limited but genuine.
• Reddit and Discord – r/donutcounty and fan Discord servers discuss favorite moments, speedruns, and design philosophy behind the game’s mechanics.
• Modding Support – PC versions on Steam allow community mods, though the original game’s design rarely benefits from modifications.
• Updates – Stable release with infrequent patches addressing minor bugs. The game is considered complete and receives sporadic maintenance.