ICARUS
- December 3, 2021
- RocketWerkz
- 56h median play time
Get on Steam"ICARUS is a PvE survival game with mission-based and open world modes for up to eight players. Prospectors drop to a harsh, Earth-like planet to explore, harvest, craft, and hunt. Brace for a brutal world with toxic atmosphere, dangerous wildlife, and deadly storms, demanding preparation and planning for survival."
PC
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- story20,186 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story aspect of "Icarus" is generally perceived as lacking depth and coherence, with many players noting that it primarily revolves around completing missions for a corporation on a hostile alien planet. While the game features a variety of missions that provide some context and objectives, the overarching narrative is minimal, often feeling disjointed and repetitive. Players express a desire for a more engaging storyline and character development, as well as a more meaningful connection between missions and the game's lore.
“The missions are challenging, fun, and rewarding.”
“The story is fun, but told entirely through voice clips.”
“The missions give direction and add a healthy amount of challenge for a satisfying mix of awesome.”
“The missions are the most boring and annoying part of the game easily.”
“The missions are extremely slow to do and they're rewarding very little.”
“The missions get quite boring after the first few.”
- gameplay5,542 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Icarus" has received mixed reviews, with players praising its engaging survival mechanics, crafting systems, and stunning graphics, while also criticizing its repetitive mission structure and the punishing nature of its mechanics, such as character loss upon mission failure. Many players appreciate the cooperative gameplay and the depth of the tech and talent trees, but express frustration over the grindy gameplay loop and the lack of meaningful progression, particularly in solo play. Overall, while the game shows potential and has a solid foundation, it requires further refinement and balancing to enhance the overall experience.
“The building mechanics are so simple but so powerful and you can really create wonders here that look awesome.”
“Where Icarus shines, for me, is in the actual survival mechanics and the stark difference between kicking around your base and being in the wilderness.”
“The vast majority of the mechanics are well thought out, well behaved, and well implemented.”
“The gameplay loop consists of gathering some mats, throwing the same 3x4 shack up as last time, hunting for mats, crafting some stuff, mining for mats, crafting some stuff, mining for mats, so on.”
“The core gameplay loop stays pretty fresh because each drop is a new situation with new goals and new areas to explore.”
“The gameplay is very repetitive, and often the starting point of a mission is far away from the object just for the sake of forcing the player to walk a very long distance (and making it play more hours).”
- graphics4,344 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Icarus" are frequently described as stunning and visually impressive, particularly when played on high-end systems with settings maxed out. However, many players report significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on powerful hardware, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game showcases beautiful environments and detailed graphics, optimization remains a major concern, leading to mixed reviews regarding its graphical performance.
“The graphics are next level awesome, especially at 4k with ray tracing on.”
“The graphics are stunning, creating a visually captivating environment that enhances the survival experience.”
“The graphics are truly gorgeous.”
“It's poorly optimized and there's graphical hitching all the time, stuttering, even when I reduce my graphics on a very high-end PC.”
“The only way to get reasonable frame rates and not melt your card is to play with every single graphics setting on low or off.”
“I have a 10900k and a 3080ti, I can run RDR2 on max graphics and get 120+ fps on 1440p, yet on this game after a while and you get a lot of base building materials built, fps tanks to around 30, especially if you are in a forest area.”
- optimization4,190 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 28 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Icarus" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements over time and appreciate the developers' ongoing updates, the consensus remains that the game is poorly optimized, particularly for lower-end hardware, and requires further work to enhance stability and performance. Overall, players express a mix of frustration and hope, urging the developers to prioritize optimization alongside new content.
“Fantastic game and graphics, good optimization as well and there's a lot to do in this game, highly recommended.”
“I really appreciate the constant work the devs have been doing to improve the game and while there is still room for improvement in several ways (better optimization), this game has been such a pleasure to play both alone and with friends.”
“Came back to this recently and performance has increased significantly plus lots of new changes for the better.”
“It's poorly optimized and there's graphical hitching all the time, stuttering, even when I reduce my graphics on a very high-end PC.”
“The performance problems with this game are way too rampant that it pretty much kills any enjoyment I do get.”
“This game's 'optimization' is non-existent and it doesn't seem to be being updated anymore, just pushing out unneeded, unwanted DLCs that you'll never get to use because the game doesn't work.”
- grinding2,798 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Icarus" has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting it as a significant part of the gameplay experience. While some players enjoy the grind for resources and leveling up, finding it rewarding and engaging, others criticize it as excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need to restart from scratch after each mission. The game’s mechanics often lead to long hours of resource gathering and crafting, which can feel unfulfilling, especially for solo players. Overall, the grinding is a defining feature of the game, appealing to those who appreciate survival and crafting genres, but potentially off-putting for players seeking a more streamlined experience.
“Insanely fun, realistic but not tedious mechanics and most surprisingly tons of character progression.”
“This is a quality survival game - a lot of attention to details, in-depth crafting and not too grindy.”
“Fortunately, the game is not too grindy so it doesn't take you long to rebuild on each mission and get geared up.”
“What killed this for me was my grinding (because it is a grind) to load up a wooden cart on a buffalo whilst level 66.”
“The game itself has such potential, but when I had to spend time grinding felling trees just to hit level 5, you got me messed up.”
“This game has a lot of potential, but it's just way too grindy with little reward.”
- stability1,522 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many users have experienced game-breaking bugs, frequent crashes, and frustrating lag, particularly during multiplayer sessions. While some players acknowledge the game's potential and appreciate the developers' efforts to address these issues through regular updates, the consensus remains that the game is still too unstable and buggy for a full release.
“The game runs great, looks absolutely gorgeous, and I am having a blast.”
“Beautiful graphics, runs great, and the gameplay is fun for somebody that loves survival, building, and customization.”
“Pro: game runs great on DX11, updates come weekly, and the content and game modes are great. The developers listen to players and try their best to get bug fixes out if they can easily reproduce the bugs.”
“Because the game is buggy as hell, I often had to start the same mission over and over again, only to receive no rewards at the end due to a game-breaking bug.”
“The game itself has a good concept but it's still a buggy mess.”
“It's a buggy, constantly crashing mess.”
- atmosphere320 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Icarus" is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the stunning graphics, detailed sound design, and dynamic weather effects that contribute to a sense of realism and tension in the hostile environment. However, some critiques arise regarding inconsistencies in the game's lore, particularly concerning the toxic atmosphere and its effects on both players and wildlife.
“The atmosphere is oppressive which really adds to immersion.”
“It's the most beautiful, atmospheric, in-depth survival title I have ever played.”
“The atmosphere, music, and the environment are so realistic it actually makes me feel as if it's real life.”
“Where this game fell so short is its atmosphere and lore.”
“The planet Icarus presents relentless challenges, from its toxic atmosphere to its unforgiving wildlife, apex predators, and unpredictable weather.”
“The fact that the outside atmosphere has any effect on you while you're wearing a spacesuit with its oxygen supply is very confusing.”
- replayability250 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the diverse missions, co-op gameplay, and the ability to start fresh each time. However, some critics note that the lack of procedural generation and repetitive gameplay can limit long-term replay value. Despite these concerns, the introduction of new content and updates has kept the game engaging for many players, making it a solid choice for those seeking a survival experience with significant replay potential.
“This is a great game with huge worlds, missions, and co-op shenanigans and lots of replayability from talent builds, DLCs, and all those awesome overworld base locations that need to be tried and tested :)”
“The mission system gives good replayability by giving you a reason to have multiple runs similar to how you have multiple wipe cycles in Rust.”
“From the graphics to the interface to the gameplay, this is a completely polished game with one of the highest replay values on the market.”
“My only complaint is that I do wish it was a procedurally generated map to offer more replay value.”
“Boring repetitive gameplay, with little to no replay value despite that being the main selling point.”
“This doesn't seem to have any replay value at all; if I continue to play, there's a good chance I'll never start it up again once the final mission is complete.”
- humor238 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently finding themselves in absurd and hilarious situations, such as accidentally burning down their homes or encountering bizarre bugs. Many reviews highlight the comedic value of the game's glitches and unexpected events, which often lead to laughter among friends during co-op play. Overall, while the game has its flaws, the humor derived from its chaotic mechanics and character interactions adds a fun and entertaining layer to the experience.
“The devs have definitely left their mark on the game in very unique ways that are a blast to notice - all I'm saying is that their humor is on point.”
“A pony proceeded to set itself on fire on the campfire, and ran around the house, burning all my hard work to the ground and causing a forest fire that lasted half a day and spread for miles... was utterly hilarious.”
“You'll have hilarious moments trying to save your hapless friends who die constantly from either thirst, blood loss, forgetting to replenish their ragged spacesuits with oxystones, or just running into a bear that kills you in seconds.”
“Cons: I've never seen any group of explorers or an expedition, even in books, real life, or movies, send people in a high-tech spacecraft with no food, lights, weapons, or shelter of any kind. They pop them out of a landing craft that can't be reused for shelter but just for storage. I never even thought about the fact that this is never done anywhere but in a game, but every time I play, I feel cheated. Hahahahaha, not funny. Anyway, enjoy your awkward game time and have fun as it were...”
“It's not bad, but when you lose your character on level 99 just because you forget to get out from a mission, it is no longer worth it. After so many hours to build one good character, that is very frustrating and not funny at all.”
“Ok, I give up - what happened? Low FPS, very high lag, expensive (very high grind) weapons just vanish, serious lag, 3 animals suddenly appear and attack when you have a full inventory. They are adding content, but did I mention there is serious lag? I know it's not funny, but I have adjusted my system and turned everything down. There is more lag in this game than in any 3 other games I have combined. What the French toast is going on?”
- monetization194 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 78 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the reliance on expensive DLCs and the perception that the base game is incomplete. While some appreciate the absence of microtransactions, the frequent updates and additional content are seen as attempts to extract more money from players rather than genuinely enhancing the game. Overall, the sentiment reflects disappointment in the game's monetization practices, which many feel prioritize profit over player experience.
“That side of the game is one of the best monetization approaches I've seen, where you continue developing the main game that's a single purchase, but also get additional funding from things that dedicated fans can purchase while new players don't need to start.”
“The breadth of available technologies is great, though some are much more useful than others, and the absence of paywalls and microtransactions is a breath of fresh air in an industry that is chock full of 'free' games that cost a lot of money to actually have enjoyable features.”
“Plus, it's cheap as all hell and has no microtransactions, and that alone is worth so much in today's gaming.”
“This game is a blatant cash grab in my opinion.”
“The fact that they made this a 'full' release feels like a cash grab, and I am doubtful they'll be able to retain players while they attempt to fix core issues that should have been ironed out already.”
“Way too buggy and the dev's have turned it into a cash grab of DLCs for an unfinished game.”
- music146 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its immersive and atmospheric qualities, while others find it repetitive or lacking in variety. Many appreciate the ambient tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, though some express a desire for more engaging or thematic music. Overall, the sound design is noted as a strong point, contributing to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding specific tracks or the ability to mute certain music elements.
“Some of the songs just slap and make Icarus even more immersive and mysterious.”
“The ambient tracks for music this game has are surprisingly good and add a lot to the atmosphere of the game.”
“Ive spent the last three days since this game released playing it non-stop. This game is incredible; it has an incredible soundtrack that fits its quiet and desolate atmosphere. It's so unique and powerful you can't help but get lost in the game when the music starts.”
“The music is almost absent, and the intro tune consists of strange ambient drones that lack any particular theme (not even close to the ambient brilliance of Star Trek).”
“Not only does it look basic and terrible, the blasting music is horrible and the whole thing unskippable.”
“There is little music, the sound is bland and repetitive, graphics are not notable at all.”
- emotional54 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting both its potential for heart-wrenching moments and the frustration stemming from unresolved design issues. While the crafting system and ongoing developer engagement are appreciated, many feel disheartened by the game's current state, leading to a sense of emotional investment that is often met with disappointment. The narrative elements, particularly the poignant backstory, resonate strongly, but players are left yearning for more fulfilling gameplay experiences that align with their emotional journeys.
“At times infuriating when you don't plan for disasters... you will burn your house down at least once as you watch it go up in smoke, standing in the rainy dark with no torch and you hear a wolf at your back... fun to watch but heartbreaking.”
“It's a survival game, and your first major story of lore is a heart-wrenching tale of a mother losing her son because of the extreme cold on Icarus.”
“That's just heartwarming to know that the devs weren't making a cash grab but are putting their souls into this project and want to continue to constantly make this game better and better.”
- character development44 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the complexity and variety of skill and tech trees that enhance gameplay. However, frustrations arise from issues such as character deletion, limited design options, and a cap on progression at level 40, which detracts from the overall experience. While some find the character development rewarding and engaging, others express a desire for more flexibility and better communication from developers regarding character management.
“Character development is very rewarding in the sense that all skill trees and talents are something you want and care about - and putting down those next points is always a treat.”
“The base building and character development/progression is fantastic.”
“Skill points and tech tree are vast giving many options for multiple character development and play-styles.”
“135 hours of play and character development down the drain due to the developers' incompetence. They deleted all characters without notifying anyone and gave a three-month window that nobody knew about.”
“I have zero interest in playing a game where your 100+ hours of character development are just wiped off the servers for no real reason.”
“I hate that at level 40, for some reason, you stop getting character development and no more skill points for the skill tree.”
