Survival Lessons
I think we sometimes forget the impact that online survival games had on the gaming world in the 2010s. Take DayZ, for example, which was essentially an experimental mod for the game, Arma 2. In it, people woke up in a huge, zombie-infested world and, starting with absolutely nothing, left to build a life. The zombies weren’t the major problem, though; it was the other players. Soon, the internet was filled with stories of communities being built, hilarious one-on-one battles, and players crafting and constructing amazing creations.
Now, we have a new game from a studio founded by that DayZ creator; a game that has finally come to consoles (thanks to GRIP Studios) after five years on PC. ICARUS: Console Edition very much shares the same DNA too, and we’ve been attempting to survive…
Touching Down on Icarus
You can play ICARUS: Console Edition alone or with a group of online teammates. The story is simple and sparse, but in these types of games, you and your overarching journey are the storytellers.
The basic setup is that you are a space traveller arriving on the small moon planet of Icarus, located 4.2 light-years from Earth. The planet has been terraformed, and upon arrival, you are forced to survive from scratch. Missions guide your experience on the planet, which is a great way of keeping the game structured rather than just throwing you completely into the deep end. There are some narrative surprises later on as you progress, but anyone looking for a huge, story-driven revelation might be disappointed.
The Survival Loop
The gameplay is where it all begins, and the survival loop quickly kicks in. Initially, the mechanics are simple: you leave your escape pod and must gather basic resources like wood and stone. You then craft rudimentary tools, such as a pickaxe, to gather more materials. Soon, you start building fires and a shelter. The more XP you earn from completing these tasks, the more options open up in your crafting menu.
However, this planet isn’t all about sightseeing and harmless foraging. You have thirst and hunger to deal with, making the search for food and water of the utmost importance. Then there are the creatures all around you that actively want to kill or injure you. Strangely enough, despite this being an alien world, the fauna isn’t entirely extraterrestrial. Those expecting completely bizarre alien creatures will be slightly disappointed, as there are Earthly animals roaming around, such as bears, boars, and elephants. Every now and again, though, you will encounter something definitely alien in nature, which makes for a nice surprise.
If any of these creatures attack you early on, you are in serious trouble; there were times when I died a lot in the beginning. But if you persevere, things do get better as you gain more experience and craft better tools to aid your survival.
Progression and Community
You use the experience points gained from simply surviving and progressing to research new equipment, sturdier housing, and better weapons. There are missions that take you further into the world, offering greater challenges and increased danger, but also a lot more adventure. I really liked these missions and enjoyed the amount of preparation required to execute them successfully.
Games like ICARUS: Console Edition live and die by their community, and you need to know that investing hundreds of hours will probably be required in order to get the absolute best out of the experience. I played ICARUS: Console Edition solo for most of my time, but I also worked with a small team online. It all seemed to work fine, but there is no doubt that getting your friends together to build a better world will be where the true heart of the game lies.
Stunning Biomes and the Console UI Hurdle
In terms of visuals, the world itself is stunning. There are amazing, distinct biomes that look wonderful, complemented by some great lighting effects. I loved this world and all it had to offer; it was a genuine pleasure to explore. The menus, however, are a bit tough to get your head around at times, with the UI not being the easiest to navigate on a console and can sometimes be hard to read. That said, the sound effects and music are all very good, working well with the environments to enhance that epic feeling of adventure.
A Challenging Discovery for Survival Purists
Should you be one of those who truly loves a survival game, then you are going to get a lot out of ICARUS: Console Edition. It can be extremely challenging early on, offering little context and not much of a tutorial, but battle through and it comes together nicely; more so when playing with others.
Frankly, push through, get stronger and become wiser, and there is a beautiful world out there waiting to be discovered in ICARUS: Console Edition.
Good luck, traveller.
Important Links
Buy ICARUS: Console Edition from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/icarus-console-edition/9msp573cfgj9
There’s an Ultimate Edition too – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/icarus-ultimate-console-edition/9MWKTVW8CNK1/0017
