The survival-crafting game Stranded Deep is available to play for free on Steam until 1 p.m. ET on October 19. Originally launched in Early Access in 2015, Stranded Deep has amassed a significant player base, evidenced by over 20,000 Steam reviews.
In Stranded Deep, players assume the role of a plane-crash survivor stranded on a Pacific island. The gameplay loop involves gathering resources to construct shelters and tools, such as spears, axes, and spearguns, for hunting marine life and other creatures. The game features a leveling system that progresses as players utilize their hunting, cooking, and crafting skills. Unlike many titles in the genre, Stranded Deep offers a defined conclusion, requiring players to manage vital statistics like health, hunger, and thirst, while also contending with environmental hazards such as sunstroke, to achieve rescue.
While the game has been praised for its unique mechanics and cooperative play, some recent player feedback has pointed to an increase in bugs compared to its initial release, with specific mentions of two-player local co-op functionality issues. Stranded Deep holds a "Mostly Positive" user score on Steam, with 74% of players having left favorable reviews. Critically, the game received a more modest average Metacritic score of 65 upon its console release on PS4 and Xbox One in 2020, following its early access debut in 2015 and full Steam launch in 2022.
Beam Team Games recently announced Stranded Deep 2, which will shift the setting to a desert wasteland and introduce an "endless river world" that players can explore via kayak. The sequel is slated for an Early Access release on Steam in 2027.