Survival games usually begin with a problem. You’re stranded, starving, freezing, being chased by monsters, or desperately punching trees because that’s apparently how civilisation starts. But not in Solarpunk.
Launching right now on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch – whilst also arriving Day One on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass – this sky-high crafting adventure swaps danger and desperation for creativity, exploration and renewable energy. Better still, it’s the work of a small team, proving once again that some of the most interesting ideas in gaming often come from independent developers.
At A Glance
- Game: Solarpunk
- Developer: Cyberwave, Mi’pu’mi Games
- Publisher: rokaplay
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Play Anywhere, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Price: £20.70 (Day One on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
- Genre: Survival Craft Sandbox
A Survival Game Built Around Optimism
Rather than surviving in a hostile wasteland or fighting against nature, players are encouraged to live alongside it. Floating islands drift amongst the clouds, renewable energy powers your creations, and animals aren’t resources to exploit but companions that help the world thrive.
It’s a philosophy that sets Solarpunk apart from many of its survival-crafting contemporaries. That’s because the goal isn’t simply to survive. It’s to build a life worth living.
Building A Home Above The Clouds
Solarpunk is a sandbox designed around creativity. Players can construct elaborate homes, decorate them with a huge selection of furniture and objects, establish farms, cook food and gradually transform a floating island into a thriving personal paradise. Whether you prefer meticulous planning or simply throwing ideas together as inspiration strikes, the game appears determined to let players create at their own pace.
The sky-island setting also gives everything a distinctive visual identity, making even routine tasks feel a little more magical.
Powered By Wind, Sunlight And Ingenuity
Of course, one of Solarpunk’s most interesting systems revolves around energy management.
Rather than relying on generators or fuel, electricity comes from renewable sources such as solar panels and wind turbines. Weather conditions directly impact energy production, meaning players must think carefully about how they generate, store and distribute power across their growing settlements.
Combined with automation systems, transport drones and wireless power networks, there’s a good amount of depth lurking beneath the cosy exterior. Basically, if you’re the kind of player who enjoys optimising production chains, Solarpunk looks set to scratch that itch.
Airships, Exploration And Co-Op Adventures
But there’s more – an entire world beyond your home island too.
Each player can construct their own airship and use it to travel between distant floating islands, uncovering new resources and opportunities along the way. The adventure can be tackled solo, but Solarpunk also supports cooperative multiplayer, allowing friends to build together or create neighbouring settlements in the same shared world.
Whether you’re looking for your next cosy obsession, a new co-op adventure, or simply a survival game that doesn’t constantly threaten your existence, Solarpunk may be worth a closer look. We’ll let you know how it rolls in review soon.
Solarpunk is available now on Xbox Series X|S (Xbox Store), PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, priced at £20.70 or included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from Day One.
