Funselektor and Strelka Games dropped a new trailer for Over the Hill at the Triple-i Initiative showcase on April 9, and it came loaded with two things fans have been waiting for: a fresh biome reveal and actual playtest dates.
What the Algeria biome actually looks like
The trailer centers on Algeria, the latest region confirmed for the game. According to the developers, it features sweeping plateaus, ancient ruins, sand-swept valleys, and fallen meteorites scattered across its sun-baked terrain. That last detail is a nice touch. Meteorite craters as natural off-road obstacles is exactly the kind of environmental storytelling that made Art of Rally feel distinct from anything else in the genre.
Players can tackle the biome solo or in two-player co-op, navigating it in vintage 4x4 vehicles. The co-op component is worth highlighting here because the winch mechanic becomes genuinely useful when one player buries their truck axle-deep in sand and needs pulling out.
Alpha playtest window and how to get in
The closed alpha runs on Steam from April 24 to April 26. Applications are open now, but the signup window closes on April 16, so there is not much runway left if you want a shot at the early build.
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The playtest application deadline is April 16. Miss that and you are waiting for the next opportunity, whenever that comes.
Funselektor has not specified how many players will get access or what portions of the game the alpha will cover. Given that this is a closed test rather than a wide open beta, expect a limited pool and a focused slice of content rather than the full experience.
The bigger picture for this one
Over the Hill was first announced in January 2025, pitched as an immersive off-roading exploration game set during the golden age of offroading. Real-world-inspired locations, relaxed pacing, and co-op support position it as something closer to a road trip game than a competitive racer.
Here's the thing: the pedigree matters. Art of Rally earned serious praise for turning rally racing into something almost meditative, and Over the Hill looks to carry that same design sensibility into open-world exploration. The Algeria reveal suggests the location variety is going to be a genuine selling point, not just a reskinned backdrop.
No release date has been confirmed yet, though the developers have indicated the game is targeting a launch sometime this year. The alpha playtest is the first real opportunity for players to get hands on it, which makes the April 16 application deadline the only date that matters right now.
Co-op recovery in action
For more on what's coming to PC this year, check out the latest gaming news across our coverage, and keep an eye on the Over the Hill Steam page for playtest invites going out after applications close. If the Algeria footage is any indication of the full game's ambition, this is one worth getting into early. Browse our latest reviews for more on what's worth your time right now.
