Redbeet Interactive’s open-ocean survival title Raft has now entered early access and is currently available on Steam.
Raft existed as a free prototype on the itch.io platform for a lengthy stint dating back to 2016. Spurred on by wide support and press accolades, Raft was improved and modified to introduce new features via intermittent updates, with the final one dating back to 2017. Since then, the developers have been busy fleshing out the game in anticipation for early access.
Raft pits you against the ocean in all its foreboding beauty and danger. As the developers put it, you start ‘on a small piece of wood, with nothing but a hook made of old pieces of plastic, you wake up on the vast, blue ocean. You are alone and there is no land as far as the eye can see. The water is calm and all you can hear is the faint sound of waves and a gentle breeze. With a dry throat and an empty stomach, survival will not be easy’.
From there, you must gather resources to enlarge your raft into a veritable home, find ways to feed yourself with on-raft farming and cooking solutions. Find ways to fend of dehydration, hunt sharks as they vie to halt your hard-earned progress, learn new blueprints for equipment and weapons, and most importantly, survive.
The early access version of Raft includes fully fleshed out co-op multiplayer. The art style has been completely revamped with a fresh cartoon/polygon feel. As you float across the vast ocean, islands now pop up where you can gather much needed resources. Blueprints now allow you to research new equipment including an anchor allowing you to stay put if required, numerous constructions options like bridges, stairs, and beds. Underwater gathering has also been implemented with rich reefs littered with useful scrap and the like.
Redbeet are promising many more improvement and plan to run the gamut in terms of Raft’s early access run. Expect more wildlife, crafting options, the implementation of landmarks like ships, caverns and sunken ruins. The devs have also mentioned a loose clue-based narrative that will require players to set sail and navigate towards specific locations.
