Summary
Aloft, the second title from indie developer Astrolabe Interactive Inc., could provide an interesting alternative for fans ofValheim. Several games featurea fresh take onValheim’s open-world survival-crafting gameplay, butAloftcould be one of the more unique options, with a distinct premise, charming art style, and mechanics that set it apart from other entries in the genre.
Described as an “atmospheric sandbox survival indie game,“Aloftwill be following up Astrolabe’s 2022 party brawlerSacrifice Your Friends. Astrolabe looks to be injecting some of the strong imagery and personality ofSacrificeYour FriendsintoAloft, which boasts striking visual flair, supported by a compelling setting and central premise. That said,Aloftis a bold new direction for the developer, aiming to provide gameplay that is simultaneously relaxing, immersive, and stimulating, leveraging some of thebest traits of the survival genre.
Why Valheim Fans Might Like Aloft
How Aloft Channels Valheim
As a preeminent title in the indie survival game space,Valheim’s influence on the genre is clear and resounding. This can be observed inAloft, which shares key similarities with Iron Gate’s Norse-inspired title, in terms of both presentation and gameplay.
The relatively simple art design ofAloftis reminiscent ofValheim’s highly stylized graphics, making masterful use of shading and volumetric lighting to evoke a dramatic, alluring atmosphere. On the gameplay front,Aloftplaces a premium on foraging and strategic crafting, rewarding exploration and risk-taking with valuable resources and building materials. LikeValheimand many of its contemporaries,Aloftoffers a co-op function, allowing players to roam, build, and fight fungal monsters with up to seven friends, which helps make the experience easier and more robust.
Aloft Is More Than Just a Valheim Re-Skin
A quick glance atAloft’s gameplay footage or screenshots might lead some to conclude that the game is essentially “Valheimin the sky,” but it’s much more than that; the sky-bound setting’s impact on the game goes far beyond the surface level. To travel betweenAloft’s floating archipelagos, players are given a flying ship that they can upgrade over the course of their playthrough, adding another layer to in-game movement. More important to thequestion ofAloft’s explorationand traversal is the wingsuit mechanic, which players can use to barrel through the skies at breakneck speeds. With traversal often being overlooked in the survival genre,Aloft’s attempts at making fun, fluid movement set it apart.
The game’s overall tone and style are also fundamentally different fromValheim’s. While this is apparent in the overall aesthetic of the game, it also affects gameplay and progression.Aloftis an experience designed around the player’s relationship with the natural world, and part of its gameplay loop involves cleansing floating islands and freeing them from fungal corruption, bringing life back to them. This adds unique context and rewards to the combat ofAloft, helping it stand out againstValheim’s more traditional approachto enemies and fighting.
Aloft’s themes of nature also play a role in its crafting gameplay, as players can automate resource gathering by harnessing the power of wind turbines. Exploration is linked to this premise as well, as players are at constant risk of being hit by an ever-present hurricane, forcing them to adapt quickly or suffer the consequences, emphasizing both the beauty and terror of nature.
Aloftwill be releasing on PC at some point in 2024, but players can play the demo for free right now. As a game in the midst of development, it’s subject to change, but it’s clear that Astrolabe has a clear vision for the title. With how promising it looks, it’s possible thatAloftcould be a great co-op survival game, one that stands right alongside viral hits likeValheim.
Valheim
WHERE TO PLAY
Valheimis a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!EXPLORE THE TENTH WORLDExplore a world shrouded in mystery. Discover distinct environments with unique enemies to battle, resources to gather and secrets to uncover! Be a viking, sail the open seas in search of lands unknown, and fight bloodthirsty monsters.BUILD MIGHTY HALLSRaise viking longhouses and build bases that offer reprieve from the dangers ahead. Customise buildings, both inside and out, with a detailed building system. Progress through building tiers to upgrade, expand and defend your base.GATHER, CRAFT AND SURVIVEStruggle to survive as you gather materials and craft weapons, armor, tools, ships, and defenses. Decorate your hearths and sharpen your blades, grow crops and vegetables, prepare food, brew meads and potions, and progress as you defeat more difficult bosses and discover new recipes and blueprints.
