Icarus

Icarus is a PvE sci-fi survival game created by DayZ creator Dean Hall. Veterans of survival games from RocketWerkz, based in Auckland, New Zealand, are responsible for its production. The title is available for PC and is regularly updated.

Storyline

The action of the production takes place on Icarus - a place which was supposed to be like a second Earth. Unfortunately, as a result of the collapse of the terraforming process, the air on the planet became toxic and hopes for colonization of the new world were dashed. Since then, Icarus has been an object of derision, a symbol of humanity that tried to reach the stars, but failed miserably.

When xenobiologists discovered the reason for their failure, all eyes once again turned to the planet. The cause was said to be exotic matter of incalculable value. The unusual discovery sparked a gold rush, fueling political tensions on Earth. Prospectors gathered on the space station orbiting Icarus, whose main goal became the exploration of the hostile, but rich in valuable resources world.

Mechanics

The game takes place in an open, deceptive world, rich in a variety of Earth-like environments. Exploring vast areas, the player is tasked with completing assigned missions and collecting exotic matter scattered around the planet. At the same time, he has to take care of his character's basic needs - hunger, thirst and the right amount of oxygen - as well as face threats from wild animals and changing weather conditions. Accumulating multiple resources increases his chances of survival. Every tree is harvestable, as is every rock that can be mined by voxel mining. Resources gained on Icarus can be used to create various tools, structures and machines.

The gameplay is conducted in the model of limited time sessions. Explorers travel to the planet's surface from their orbital station. Upon arriving, they have a set amount of time to familiarize themselves with the environment, complete faction missions and find exotic materials. So it's worth watching the clock carefully and using every available second wisely. If the player does not manage to return to their ship, their progress and technology will be lost. In the game there are sessions lasting from a few hours to even a few weeks. It is also possible to build a permanent outpost on a planet.

Those who manage to survive the session return to orbit as experienced veterans. The crafting system implemented in the game allows the players to transform the collected exotic matter into advanced technology that will give them a better chance of surviving the next drop. Along with the acquired experience, the player develops unique skills and basic talents of his character. Thanks to improvements his character is able to complete missions faster, automate production and venture into more remote regions of the planet. Acquired knowledge, however, also influences the increase of the mission's difficulty level.

Game modes

Icarus is a PvE game, allowing you to play both in single and network co-op mode. Players can explore the planet in a team of up to 8 players by playing together.

Deluxe Version

In addition to the base game, Icarus also comes with a Deluxe Edition that includes two more chapters - New Frontier and Dangerous Horizons - as well as a limited edition First Cohort protection suit. New biomes, enemies and maps are also introduced to the game when you purchase these DLC chapters. The Deluxe version also includes Outposts, which are 1km x 1km plots on which the player can build structures and share them with fellow players.

Technical features

The game features rich 3D visuals.

Additional information

When the game was first announced in June 2020, Dean Hall hoped that it would be released on a free-to-play model. Ultimately, however, RocketWerkz decided that Icarus would be a paid product. This decision was influenced, among others, by the comments of the gaming community itself, wanting to avoid the pitfalls associated with the free-to-play option. The developers also didn't want the business model to hinder the full experience of the game. The title will constantly evolve and be enriched with new sessions, modes and regularly updated content.