Dazed and disoriented, I awaken amidst the ruins of my ship, nearly claimed by the raging storm that shattered it and cast me ashore. Gathering the scant resources I have left, I face the sobering reality—there’s no turning back. With the ocean behind me and uncertainty ahead, I push forward. Emerging from the cave, I find myself not on an unknown shore, but floating amidst the clouds. A world of sky islands stretches out before me. Where am I? That’s the question I aim to answer in this first look at Aloft, an indie game by Astrolabe Interactive.
Aloft seeks to break free from the familiar molds of the survival genre, offering a unique take on exploration and adventure. Astrolabe Interactive has poured years of refinement into crafting a game that feels fresh yet accessible. While it’s not without its flaws, Aloft stands out as a commendable addition to the survival/adventure lineup.
At its heart, Aloft is about exploration and survival, presenting players with a sprawling world of floating islands to uncover. Its low-stress, cozy gameplay makes it an excellent choice for relaxed play sessions, whether solo or with family. Yet, the game isn’t entirely without challenges—certain mechanics, like the recipe system, can quickly veer into tedium.
Exploration: A Blessing and a Burden
Exploration drives Aloft’s core gameplay, closely tied to its crafting systems. Unlike traditional survival games where you unlock recipes through leveling up, Aloft introduces knowledge stones and anchors scattered across the world. This approach rewards curiosity but can feel frustratingly random, as recipes seem to unlock in no discernible order. Hunting for a specific blueprint can devolve into aimless wandering—a system that might benefit from more player control.
However, some aspects of crafting, like cooking and tool creation, are more intuitive, allowing players to experiment with trial and error. This contrasts with the more restrictive approach to shipbuilding and housing recipes, which heavily rely on exploration to unlock.
Survival in Name, Simplicity in Spirit
Though marketed as a survival game, Aloft leans more into exploration than survival mechanics. Basic necessities like food, water, and shelter are optional rather than essential. You could feasibly traverse the entire game without eating or building shelter. While cooking and clothing offer helpful buffs, the absence of dire survival stakes might disappoint genre purists.
Combat, though present, feels secondary. Hostile encounters are limited to three types of fungal monsters, easily dispatched without much strategy. Despite its simplicity, the combat system does serve a purpose, especially when clearing hostile islands overrun by fungus.
Islands of Intrigue
The islands in Aloft are more than just pretty backdrops—they’re the heart of its exploration. You’ll encounter three types of islands:
- Healthy Ecosystem: Fully intact and ripe for harvesting.
- Unhealthy Ecosystem: These require restoration, tasking players with reintroducing flora, fauna, or removing fungal infestations.
- Hostile Islands: Overrun with fungus monsters and corruption, these areas demand combat prowess to restore balance.
The variety adds depth to exploration, making each new island an adventure, even if the hostile encounters lack complexity.
Navigating the Skies
Shipbuilding is one of Aloft’s standout features. Your ship isn’t just a vessel—it’s your lifeline between islands. Placement of sails and rudders is critical to catching wind and maximizing speed. Thoughtful design significantly reduces travel time, transforming a frustrating crawl into a breezy journey. The ability to fine-tune your ship’s mechanics using detailed feedback adds a layer of strategy and satisfaction to exploration.
A World That Beckons
The true charm of Aloft lies in its visuals. Astrolabe Interactive has crafted a world that is simple yet captivating, radiating a cozy, welcoming vibe. The aesthetic choices are deliberate and cohesive, drawing players into a serene yet engaging environment. It’s a game designed for relaxation and discovery, making it a perfect choice for family gaming or those seeking a gentler adventure.
Looking Ahead
As an early-access title, Aloft shows great promise but feels somewhat limited in scope. With under 25 hours of gameplay needed to explore much of its current content, the hope is that future updates will expand the world, adding depth and new challenges.
If you’re seeking a cozy exploration game with light survival elements, Aloft might just be your next favorite adventure. While it’s not my typical cup of tea—I gravitate toward more grueling survival experiences—I can’t help but admire the progress Aloft has made. With continued development, I have no doubt Astrolabe Interactive will deliver on its potential, and I’ll be watching eagerly to see what’s next.