#STARSAND EARLY ACCESS FULL#

The latest chic from Milan is a fusion of long-distance runner and Raiden from Mortal Kombat. Even with these measures, the amount of time you want to be wandering around in the desert is finite, which is why it is very notable that it’s easy to get lost in Starsand. Finding shade to reduce body temperature and equipping yourself with a big ol’ hat and some home-made sunscreen are essential to survival. More than once I died of heat exhaustion at the bottom of yet another colossal dune. Managing heat during the day, and cold during the night, are real challenges in the game. This constant drive to gather to survive forces you out into Starsand’s vast, open world and, in doing so, introduces you to the other big challenge of the game.ĭeserts, it turns out, are not easy places to live. Once that wood was used and those coconuts were eaten, that was it for them. Soon enough I found my way to an oasis with a few trees scattered about and some frogs for good eatin’, but those trees didn’t grow back (at least over the course of the few days I played). One of the main challenges of the game is finding enough to get by. The oases may look prettier with those trees around them but deforestation is a way of life in Starsand. This is your first hint that Starsand is more in the Long Dark mould of survival games than something more casual. It took me a good while to find a rock and, over the course of three hours of gameplay, I learned to get excited at the glint of that sweet dark-grey gold lying on the ground. So, I guess, of course there aren’t any rocks you’re in the middle of the desert.

The game begins with your unnamed character getting lost in a sandstorm whilst in the middle of a cross-desert marathon. So far, so typical.Įxcept, there weren’t any rocks. There is a sparse tutorial and one of the first things it told me to do was find a rock. When I started playing Starsand, the latest release from Tunnel Vision Studio, it felt very familiar. Valheim, Raft, The Forest, 7 Days to Die, Ark and others have their challenges for sure but just getting enough food or basic materials to get by isn’t one of them. Discover ruins, piece together the truths of this world, solve puzzles and journey deeper into the unknown.Over the COVID-19 lockdowns I’ve had the chance to try my hand at a fair few survival games and the thing about a lot of them is that, well, it isn’t that hard to survive in them. Prepare well for every expedition and all you might encounter.

Unpredictable weather and an impactful day/night cycle put planning at the forefront.

Protect your body and your new home against the dangers of this harsh desert world.

Brave the blazing sun, freezing nights, and brutal sandstorms. Awaken your survival instincts in this challenging environment.

#STARSAND EARLY ACCESS FULL#

Discover a world full of lost monuments, strange artefacts and creatures both modern and ancient.

A massive otherworldly desert landscape to explore.

At the same time, players can also buy the Digital Supporters Pack, which grants access to digital goodies and expands your desert adventure with exclusive content, from a stunning art book, wallpaper, or the original soundtrack. Starsand is available now in Early Access ($19.99). With unpredictable weather, an impactful day and night cycle, as well as deep crafting mechanics, Starsand offers players the freedom to explore a vast landscape filled with strange creatures and artifacts. Set against a harsh arcane desert, Starsand sees players construct weapons and defenses, fight strange creatures and explore a vast and hostile environment in their quest to return to Earth. In order to return to Earth, players will have to master strange and ancient alien technologies, battle terrifying monsters, and defend their camp against enemies and the elements alike. They will need to endure the blazing sun and freezing nights to survive. Starsand is a story-driven survival adventure inspired by John Carter and Stargate and sinks players into a harsh and unforgiving desert world where they must forage, hunt and build to survive.

Starsand early access