Grab Your Free Copy of Stranded Deep This Weekend!

Released in Early Access back in 2015, the survival crafting game Stranded Deep has garnered a dedicated player base over the years, boasting over 20,000 reviews on Steam. If you’re a fan of the genre and looking for something to dive into this weekend, now’s a great time to check it out: it’s free to play on Steam until 1 p.m. ET on October 19.

In Stranded Deep, you step into the shoes of a plane crash survivor stranded on a Pacific island. You can gather resources like wood to construct impressive shelters and various structures. Crafting tools such as spears, axes, bows, and even spearguns allows you to hunt for fish and giant crabs. As you engage in hunting, cooking, and crafting, your skills will improve.

What sets Stranded Deep apart from many other survival games is its definitive ending. Players must carefully manage their health, hunger, and thirst while avoiding sunstroke to survive long enough for rescue.

While many players have praised the game for its unique elements and cooperative gameplay, some recent feedback has pointed out an increase in bugs compared to its initial release, with one player noting that local two-player co-op is no longer functional. The game holds a Mostly Positive rating on Steam, with 74% of players leaving favorable reviews. However, critics were less impressed; upon its launch on PS4 and Xbox One in 2020, it received a mediocre average Metacritic score of 65. After debuting in Early Access in 2015, Stranded Deep officially launched on Steam in 2022.

Recently, Beam Team Games announced Stranded Deep 2, showcasing a reveal trailer featuring alligators and aggressive hippos. This sequel promises to deliver another open-world survival crafting experience, but this time it’s set in a desert wasteland rather than a tropical island. Players will explore an “endless river world,” discovering new canyons, dunes, and valleys via kayak. The game is slated for Early Access release on Steam in 2027.

Living like a bug ain’t easy.