Overview
ICARUS is a multiplayer co-operative survival game developed and published by RocketWerkz, released on December 3, 2021 for PC via Steam. Set on a treacherous alien world bearing the same name as the title, the game challenges players to explore, gather resources, craft equipment, and survive long enough to complete their objectives before returning to orbit. What distinguishes it from conventional survival titles is its session-based mission structure: players descend to the planet's surface for timed expeditions, then extract with whatever they've earned, carrying progression forward through a persistent metagame system.
The premise draws on science fiction themes of colonial exploitation and survival against nature. Icarus, the planet, was once terraformed for human habitation, but the process went catastrophically wrong, leaving behind a world that is simultaneously breathtaking and lethal. Players take on the role of prospectors, descending to harvest exotic matter and complete contracts while contending with savage wildlife, brutal weather systems, and an environment that seems determined to end every run prematurely.
Gameplay and Mechanics: How Does ICARUS Actually Play?
At its core, ICARUS operates on a loop that blends familiar survival crafting with a structured mission framework. Players gather raw materials, construct shelters, craft tools and weapons, and manage core survival stats including hunger, thirst, and oxygen levels. The session-based design means there is always a defined objective and, in many cases, a time constraint adding genuine pressure to every decision.
Key gameplay elements include:
- Session-based planetary expeditions
- Persistent character and tech-tree progression
- Co-op support for up to eight players
- Dynamic weather and environmental hazards
- Tiered crafting from primitive to advanced technology
The metagame progression system is particularly well-considered. Even when a session ends, whether by successful extraction or otherwise, character experience and unlocked blueprints carry over. This means no run feels entirely wasted, and the gradual expansion of available technology gives long-term play a satisfying sense of momentum.
Multiplayer and Social: Surviving Together
ICARUS supports co-operative play with groups of up to eight players per session, and the game's design leans heavily into the value of teamwork. Larger groups can divide labor efficiently, with some players focusing on base construction while others hunt, gather, or scout the surrounding terrain. The difficulty of the planet scales in a way that makes solo play genuinely demanding, which reinforces the appeal of tackling expeditions as a coordinated team.
The console edition, developed by GRIP Digital, brings the full ICARUS experience to PS5, supporting up to four players online with PlayStation Plus. This version takes advantage of DualSense controller features including vibration feedback, and the game carries a Teen rating from the ESRB for Blood and Violence.
World and Setting: What Kind of Planet Is Icarus?
The planet Icarus itself functions almost as an antagonist. Its biomes range from dense forests to arctic tundras and arid deserts, each presenting distinct survival challenges. The alien fauna is aggressive and varied, from smaller predators that harass lone prospectors to larger creatures capable of dismantling an entire camp. Environmental threats such as lightning storms and toxic atmospheres demand that players adapt their gear and strategy to the region they're operating in.
The atmosphere of the world is one of ICARUS's strongest qualities. There is a persistent sense of isolation and scale, reinforced by the visual contrast between the planet's raw, untamed beauty and the constant reminder that it was never truly meant for human survival.
System Requirements
Conclusion
ICARUS delivers a co-op survival experience built around meaningful tension, deliberate progression, and an alien world that genuinely commands respect. Its session-based structure separates it from open-ended survival sandboxes by giving each expedition a sense of purpose and consequence, while the persistent metagame ensures that time invested always translates into tangible growth. Whether playing solo or with a full team of eight, the game rewards careful planning and punishes recklessness in equal measure, making every successful extraction feel hard-won and satisfying.
