The survival game Icarus had its first beta on Steam. It went quite well and could excite over 7,000 players for the game. Now it moves forward with a content plan and a roadmap into further tests.
What kind of game is this? Icarus is the new project by DayZ creator Dean Hall and his indie studio RocketWerks, and is among the new survival games to look forward to in 2021. You play in Icarus as part of a team that is to explore a “second Earth”.
Icarus takes place in a dystopian sci-fi setting, and one of the major challenges for you is to withstand the adversities of the planet. Oxygen, food, and shelter will be important aspects of survival.
While you are always under time pressure, because if you do not reach the land shuttle at the agreed time that brings you back to orbit, you will be left behind. Icarus will be released after a delay on November 20, 2021 for PC (via Steam). The beta is already running.
How did the first beta go? The test of Icarus is divided into different sections. The first beta took place from August 28-29 and was able to attract a peak of 7,614 players on Steam (via steamcharts.com).
So far, there are no reviews. Players are actively discussing the lore on Discord, exchanging tips, or looking for teammates. However, many interested parties are skeptical since Hall’s previous project, DayZ, is still considered unfinished. DayZ only reached beta status after 5 years – that was in 2018.
If you want to get a picture yourself, you can participate in further beta tests in the coming weeks.
Second beta starting soon – New content every 2 weeks
What can I play in the beta? The second beta weekend runs from September 11 to September 12. From then on, a further beta will take place every 2 weeks, with new content provided each week:
- September 11-12: Storms sweep across the world and pose a danger, still only in the forest
- September 25-26: The arctic biome is accessible and brings new animals and snowstorms
- October 9-10: You can explore the desert biome with its new dangers
- October 23-24: Factions come in, for which you can complete missions
- November 6-7: A special community event with prizes
The release will then also be 2 weeks after the last beta on November 20. All content can be streamed and recorded. If you don’t want to play yourself, you can also get an idea of Icarus through your favorite streamers or YouTubers.
How can I participate? If you want guaranteed access to the beta tests, you must preorder the game (via Steam). However, some content creators will also receive keys to give away. It’s best to keep an eye on social channels like Twitter or Twitch for giveaways and drops.
