Kenshi Characters Not Using Bags

Caroline Mae

2 min read

·

06-01-2025

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Kenshi, the sprawling open-world RPG, offers a surprisingly deep level of realism in its depiction of a harsh, post-apocalyptic world. However, even in this meticulously crafted environment, some inconsistencies stand out. One such peculiarity is the apparent lack of bag usage among many of the game's characters. While this might seem like a minor detail, it actually raises some interesting points about the game's design and its commitment to realism.

The Missing Backpacks: A Gameplay Conundrum

Consider this: you're trekking across the unforgiving Kenshi landscape, burdened by a mountain of scavenged materials and vital supplies. Your character, understandably, relies heavily on their inventory, which is often represented visually by the character's overburdened appearance. But many non-player characters (NPCs), even those clearly traveling long distances or engaged in trade, often appear completely unburdened. They're seemingly carrying nothing, despite the logical need to transport goods, tools, and basic necessities.

This lack of visible bags or containers is not just an aesthetic choice. It impacts the game's internal logic. If NPCs are engaging in commerce or scavenging, where are they storing their acquired goods? The absence of bags creates a disconnect between the game's simulated reality and the player's own experience of resource management. It’s a subtle detail that, when noticed, breaks the immersion somewhat.

Implications for Realism and Immersion

The developers of Kenshi have clearly prioritized a level of gritty realism in other aspects of the game. The brutal combat, the realistic injury system, and the unforgiving environment all contribute to a sense of immersion rarely found in similar games. The absence of bags, therefore, feels like a missed opportunity to further enhance this realism. A simple addition of bags and containers for NPCs, even varying in size and type based on the character's role, would significantly improve the game's visual consistency and believability.

Speculation and Potential Explanations

While it's difficult to definitively explain the design choice, several speculations could be put forward:

• Technical Limitations: The addition of detailed bags and inventory visuals for numerous NPCs could impose a significant performance cost, especially given the large number of characters that often populate the game world.

• Artistic Choice: It's possible the developers opted for a cleaner, less cluttered visual style, prioritizing aesthetic consistency over strict realism in this specific instance.

• Game Mechanics: The game's inventory system might be primarily designed for the player character, with NPC inventories operating on a different, less visually represented system.

Regardless of the reason, the lack of visible bags on Kenshi's NPCs remains a curious feature, a subtle inconsistency in an otherwise remarkably detailed and immersive game.