Survival Sandbox
Ongoing coverage on Survival Sandbox.
Latest coverage
Windrose’s initial early access saw positive player response and over 69K Steam concurrency
The piratical survival sandbox game Windrose, developed by Windrose Crew (now Kraken Express), has seen a strong initial launch in early access on PC. The game achieved a peak concurrency of over 69,000 players on Steam and received "very positive" user reviews praising its visuals and naval combat, despite some players reporting server and connection issues due to the high player count. The developers are focused on a 1.0 launch before considering console releases.
Enshrouded details major changes to its skill tree and gear systems arriving in Update 8
The survival sandbox game Enshrouded is set to receive significant changes in Update 8, focusing on its skill tree and gear systems. The skill tree has been rebuilt with new nodes, adjusted positions, and a focus on quicker unlocks. Gear updates include the return of perks, new class-specific benefits, and an upgrade system for armor and shields, with rarity determining perk and upgrade slots. Skill points will be reset upon the update's release.
Temtem Pioneers confirms it will add new critters, starting off with a flower cow
Crema Games has announced that its upcoming survival sandbox game, Temtem Pioneers, will feature new creatures, including a flower cow-like Temtem named Bellora. This comes after the studio previously stated new creatures would not be added to the original Temtem MMORPG due to player numbers. Temtem Pioneers has surpassed $230K in Kickstarter funding, with a crystal biome unlocked and fossil Tems as the next stretch goal.
Multiplayer piratical survivalbox Windrose officially begins its early access voyage
The multiplayer pirate survival sandbox game Windrose has officially launched into early access. Developed by Kraken Express, the game focuses on PvE gameplay where players live as pirates during the Age of Sail, surviving, exploring, and fighting on land and sea. The developers project a full 1.0 release in two to three years.
Enshrouded provides a first look at new weapon skills, attack animation tweaks, and other combat changes
Keen Games has detailed upcoming combat changes for their early access title Enshrouded in a new video digest. Update 8: Forging the Path will introduce heavy attacks for all weapons, new weapon-specific skills, and improvements to attack animations, dodgerolls, and enemy AI. These changes aim to enhance the combat experience and make stealth more viable.
Co-op builder sandbox StarRupture expands early access with a bigger map, wildlife, and ziplines
Creepy Jar's co-op survival sandbox game StarRupture has received its first major early access update. The update introduces a larger map, new zones, resources, ziplines, development stations, new buildings, wildlife, and crafting pipelines. The game is currently available on Steam for PC and is expected to remain in early access until next year.
Temtem Pioneers is a co-op survival sandbox set in the Temtem MMO’s universe
Crema Games has officially announced Temtem Pioneers, a single-player and co-op survival sandbox set in the Temtem MMO's universe. The game, previously codenamed Project Downbelow, focuses on resource gathering, crafting, and base building, with over 200 Temtem to find and capture. The crowdfunding campaign for Temtem Pioneers has already surpassed its initial €90K goal.
Pocketpair-pubbed multiplayer pirate survivalbox Windrose enters early access April 14
The multiplayer pirate survival game Windrose, published by Pocketpair, will launch its early access version on April 14 for $29.99. Developed by Crosswind Crew, the game is expected to remain in early access for 1.5 to 2.5 years, with the full release planned to include significantly more content. The early access version features three biomes, procedural islands, naval combat, building systems, and a main story estimated to take 50-70 hours.
21 Best Switch 2 Games Under $25
This guide highlights the best Nintendo Switch 2 games available for under $25, focusing on value and quality rather than the absolute cheapest options. The list includes titles like BALL x PIT, BOKURA: planet, Cast n Chill, Core Keeper, DAVE THE DIVER, Deltarune, Fast Fusion, Hollow Knight, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and KUUKIYOMI 4: Consider It, with prices and brief descriptions for each.
Multiplayer PvE survivalbox ICARUS makes its official console launch
The multiplayer survival sandbox game ICARUS has officially launched on consoles as ICARUS: Console Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox. This edition includes the base game and the New Frontiers expansion, offering over 128 square kilometers of explorable content for up to four players. The console version is available in standard and ultimate editions, with the latter including additional region content and cosmetics.
Airship survivalbox Echoes of Elysium heralds a ‘major player reception turnaround’ after 20+ patches
Loric Games has seen a significant turnaround in player reception for their airship survival sandbox, Echoes of Elysium, moving from 'mixed' to 'mostly positive' reviews on Steam after over 20 patches. The studio credits their commitment to listening to feedback and implementing improvements for the shift. The game is currently part of the Steam Spring Sale with a 20% discount.
RuneScape Dragonwilds sets Dowdun Reach – and dedicated servers – for March 31
Jagex announced that the RuneScape Dragonwilds update, featuring the new area Dowdun Reach, will be released on March 31st. This update emphasizes exploration and combat within a densely packed fortress environment, with dedicated servers included, though fishing content has been delayed to April.
The skybound RPG sandbox, ‘Everwind’, is now available via Steam EA
Everwind, an RPG and Sandbox Survival game, is now available in Early Access on Steam for PC. Players can build bases on flying island-ships, gather resources, craft, and fight while exploring the mysteries of the world above the clouds.
Bohemia’s Kickstarted co-op skyship sandbox Everwind has soared into early access
Bohemia Interactive's survival sandbox game, Everwind, formerly known as Skyverse, has launched into early access on PC. Developed by Enjoy Studio, the multiplayer skyship RPG allows players to build bases, gather resources, and battle enemies. The game is expected to remain in early access until Q1 2027, with a roadmap for 2026 including features like dedicated servers and new gameplay modes.
Alive, Hostile And Unpredictable: New Permafrost Video Reveals A World Where Nature Wants You Dead
A new video for the upcoming survival sandbox game Permafrost showcases its dynamic weather systems and diverse biomes, emphasizing how nature itself is a constant threat. Developed by SpaceRocket Games and published by Toplitz Productions, the game features a frozen wasteland setting after a cataclysmic event. Permafrost will launch in Early Access on PC later this year and supports co-operative multiplayer for up to four survivors.
Jeff Kaplan’s Legend of California demos multiplayer, opens signups for March 26 Steam alpha
Jeff Kaplan's studio Kintsugiyama has opened signups for a Steam alpha test of their upcoming multiplayer title, The Legend of California, scheduled for March 26th. The game, inspired by California's gold rush history, will feature FPS action multiplayer with survival sandbox elements, cooperative play, and optional PvP zones. Monthly server resets will occur, but legacy unlocks will persist.
ARK 2 remarks on Vin Diesel’s character as Survival Ascended starts testing naval content
Vin Diesel's role in ARK 2's development has led to a rewrite of his character, Santiago, shifting from a 'nerd' to a 'gear head' with a revised backstory. Studio Wildcard also confirmed that ARK: Survival Ascended is testing naval content and introduced the Acrocanthosaurus creature and a World Builder tool.
Subnautica 2 shows off its highly modular and customizable base building system
Subnautica 2 will feature a new modular base building system that allows for deep customization of rooms, corridors, and decorative elements. This tile-based procedural technology aims to elevate the base-building experience beyond simple rectangles. The game's early access launch window remains unannounced due to a lawsuit involving publisher Krafton.
Saddle Up, Partner: Wild West Legacy Rides Onto Consoles
Moon Punch Studio and Toplitz Productions have announced that Wild West Legacy, a sandbox survival adventure with settlement management, is now available on consoles including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The game allows players to explore and build in the American frontier of the 1800s, manage villages, and follow an original story.
Survival sandbox ICARUS greatly expands its world with ‘sequel’ like Dangerous Horizons
The survival sandbox game ICARUS has received a major expansion titled Dangerous Horizons, adding a new region, story campaign, creatures, technology, and more. Developer RocketWerks CEO Dean Hall stated the expansion significantly extends the game's content, approaching the scope of a sequel. A console edition of ICARUS, excluding the expansion, is set to release on March 26th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.