ICARUS

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"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 19,871 reviews

story965 positive mentions

optimization591 negative mentions

story
10,093 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. Overall, the missions serve as the main gameplay driver, but they often lack the narrative richness that could enhance the experience.
- “The missions are challenging, fun, and rewarding.”
- “The story, gameplay, crafting, the atmosphere, everything is just amazing, if they manage to lower the minimum requirement to play it I can quite tell this would be a GOTY.”
- “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.”
gameplay
2,771 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, and building systems, but criticizing the repetitive nature of its mission-based structure. Many players find the session-based gameplay loop—where progress resets after each mission—tedious and frustrating, particularly for solo players, as it often leads to a grindy experience with little sense of long-term achievement. While the game features beautiful graphics and a variety of mechanics, issues such as bugs, performance problems, and a lack of meaningful progression have detracted from the overall enjoyment for some players.
- “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 is literally that.”
- “The core gameplay loop should be the focus--land, survive, harvest, go back to space to work on your ship.”
- “The gameplay itself is fine, but the game's performance is absolutely rancid.”
graphics
2,172 mentions
50 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Icarus" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly when played on high-end systems with settings maxed out. However, many players report significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, even on powerful hardware, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight of the game, they are marred by optimization problems that detract from the gameplay experience.
- “The graphics are next level awesome, especially at 4K with ray tracing on.”
- “The graphics are truly gorgeous.”
- “The graphics are stunning, creating a visually captivating environment that enhances the survival experience.”
- “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 graphics are really bad even at 4k epic settings.”
- “The graphics are extremely demanding and unless you have a recent GPU you will need to run it at low settings and put up with potato graphics.”
optimization
2,095 mentions
12 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
28 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received significant criticism from players, with many reporting severe performance issues such as 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 and requires substantial work to enhance performance and stability. Overall, players recommend waiting for further optimization before fully engaging with the game.
- “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.”
- “The recent performance improvements have made a difference on resource consumption, and quality of life fixes like the omnipresent saplings no longer having collision are <chef's kiss>.”
- “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.”
- “The game's optimization is terrible.”
grinding
1,399 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 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 grindiness is a defining feature that may appeal to fans of survival games but can deter those seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “Insanely fun, realistic but not tedious mechanics and most surprisingly tons of character progression.”
- “Fortunately the game is not too grindy so it doesn't take you long to rebuild on each mission and get geared up.”
- “The progression doesn't take too long to get you up levels and unlocking new blueprints (which are needed to craft items) feels natural and not grindy to me at all and I'm looking forward to seeing what else lies ahead.”
- “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.”
- “The game requires a lot of grinding and hostile animals are only a constant annoyance and add nothing to the overall gameplay.”
stability
761 mentions
7 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability 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 crashes, invisible players in co-op mode, and frequent frame rate drops, leading to frustration and, in some cases, refunds. While the developers are noted for their responsiveness and regular updates, the persistent instability and optimization problems have left many players feeling that the game is still in an unfinished state.
- “Overall beautiful game, great mechanics, runs great!”
- “The game runs great, looks absolutely gorgeous, and I am having a blast.”
- “Game looks great, runs great, and has a ton of stuff to do.”
- “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.”
- “After spending more time troubleshooting than actually enjoying the game, we had no choice but to refund it.”
- “It's a buggy, constantly crashing mess.”
atmosphere
160 mentions
46 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game 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 realistic and engaging environment. However, some critiques arise regarding inconsistencies in the game's lore, particularly concerning the toxic atmosphere and its impact on gameplay mechanics.
- “The atmosphere is oppressive, which really adds to immersion.”
- “It features a rich crafting system, a complex and unique character progression system, and an immersive, realistic atmosphere.”
- “The attention to detail in the flora, fauna, and atmospheric effects is truly impressive; adding depth and realism to the game world and exploring the diversity is exciting and visually rewarding.”
- “Where this game fell so short is its atmosphere and lore.”
- “The project was abandoned when exotic materials on the planet interfered with the terraforming, producing a toxic atmosphere, aggressive wildlife, and hazardous weather conditions.”
- “The fact that the outside atmosphere has any effect on you while you're wearing a spacesuit with its oxygen supply is very confusing.”
replayability
125 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 with each session. However, some critics note that the lack of procedural generation and repetitive gameplay can limit long-term replay value, especially in the endgame. Despite these concerns, the introduction of new content and updates has kept many players engaged and eager to return.
- “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.”
- “The gameplay loop allows for quite a bit of replayability as well, with the drops having clear missions and goals to complete on top of the usual survival trappings.”
- “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.”
humor
119 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently sharing hilarious moments stemming from unexpected glitches, absurd character designs, and chaotic gameplay scenarios, such as houses burning down or animals behaving oddly. Many reviews highlight the joy of playing with friends, where the combination of survival challenges and comedic mishaps leads to laughter and memorable experiences. While some bugs can be frustrating, they often contribute to the overall humor, making the game a source of both entertainment and amusement.
- “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 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 at 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.”
monetization
97 mentions
3 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to the reliance on expensive DLCs and a perceived lack of value in the base game. While some appreciate the developers' transparency and regular updates, the overall sentiment reflects disappointment over the game's unfinished state and aggressive monetization strategies, including the introduction of costly expansions and microtransactions. Despite a few positive notes regarding the absence of microtransactions, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's monetization model feels exploitative and disingenuous.
- “Fixes or content updates are being released almost every week and the CEO talks very openly about mistakes, new content, and the necessary monetization to keep the game running and improving.”
- “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 but 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.”
- “This game is a blatant cash grab in my opinion.”
- “At this point, it feels like a cash grab with expansions on a not finished game that they claim is finished.”
- “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.”
music
73 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 aspect, contributing to the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding specific tracks or the absence of music in certain areas.
- “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.”
- “The music is great; it reminds me a bit of Satisfactory.”
- “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).”
- “There is little music, the sound is bland and repetitive, graphics are not notable at all.”
- “Not only does it look basic and terrible, the blasting music is horrible and the whole thing is unskippable.”
emotional
27 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting both its heart-wrenching moments and frustrating design flaws. While the crafting system and ongoing developer engagement evoke a sense of investment, many feel disheartened by the game's unresolved issues and the emotional toll of setbacks, such as losing hard-earned progress. Overall, the game elicits a mix of admiration and disappointment, leaving players torn between their love for its potential and their frustration with its execution.
- “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 development
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the complexity and rewarding nature of the skill and tech trees, while others express frustration over issues like character deletion and limited design options. Many appreciate the variety of missions and progression systems that cater to different play styles, but there are calls for more flexibility and a better balance in character growth, especially at higher levels. Overall, while the potential for meaningful character development exists, technical issues and design limitations detract from the experience for some players.
- “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 a migration issue, all thanks to the developers. More incompetence is only yet to come; they continue to excel with each week. First, leveling up stopped because they didn't anticipate it, then when they didn't anticipate that they needed more servers, they just deleted all characters, did not notify anybody, and gave a three-month window which 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 don't particularly enjoy these elements; I want more flexibility in character design, and I absolutely hate time limits of any sort that might end in the actual deletion of my character.”