I have always had a weakness for these games that immerse you in a hostile world where each resource has. After spending hundreds of hours on Valheim to build Vikings bases and face giant trolls, I was looking for a new experience that gives me this same thrill. And there, boom! I come across ** Blind Descent **, a free survival RPG on Steam which directly made me think of my night sessions spent looking for Nordic biomes.
Blind Descent: Martian exploration which reinvents survival
While I was traveling Steam and its latest essential games, Blind Descent captured my attention with its ultra promising concept. Developed by Pokuch and soon published by Meta Publishing, this game transports us to the depths of the Martian surface. History? A routine expedition that turns into a nightmare, forcing us to survive in a completely alien underground ecosystem.
What makes me really like it here is the atmosphere. We are not fair in yet another generic survival game. You are literally immersed in a reactive world where you must not only survive, but also adapt and evolve. ** The Martian underground ecosystem reacts to your presence and your actions **, creating a much more immersive experience than what I expected for a free demo.
I spent my first hours to build a basic shelter, harvesting strange resources and familiarizing myself with Crafting. But what really distinguishes Blind Descent is its system of mutations. You can develop special abilities that help you not only survive but also to fight hostile creatures that prowl in Martian galleries.
How to test this nugget before everyone else
If you are as impatient as me, you will be delighted to learn that you can test Blind Descent now on Steam. The Playtest is currently underway, and the approach is ultra simple:
- Go to Blind Descent’s Steam page
- Click on “Request access” to the playtest
- Wait for confirmation (generally fast)
- Download and launches the game
I spent about four hours on this test version, and I can guarantee that it offers ** a substantial overview of what the full game will offer **. You will have time to examine the main mechanics, to understand the progression system and even to familiarize yourself with the fight in the first person.
Moreover, unlike many free tests that are content to offer a small tutorial, it offers you between 2 and 5 hours of content. Rather generous, right? If you like the concept, don’t forget to add the game to your wishlist. The developers will appreciate, and it will ensure you to be notified for the full exit planned in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Comparison with other titans of the genus survival
| Game | Environment | Points forts |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Descent | Souterrain Martien | Mutations, reactive ecosystem, integrated FPS |
| Valheim | Nordic world | Elaborate construction, epic boss, co-op |
| Grounded 2 | Miniaturized garden | Unique perspective, stylized graphics |
Speaking of competition, Grounded 2 has just landed in Early Access. I also put a solid 9/10 in my review, because it really perfects the formula of the first opus. But * Blind Descent takes a completely different direction * with its darker atmosphere and its hybrid gameplay between Survival and FPS.
What I love in this current trend is that each survival game has its own identity. Where Valheim invites you to analyze a Nordic world inspired by mythology, ** Blind descent puts on science fiction and underground horror ** to create an oppressive atmosphere that constantly keeps you on the alert.
Why Blind Descent deserves a place on your hard drive
Being a gamer who has tested a lot of survival games in recent years, I can tell you that Blind descent has this little something extra. * The combination of exploration, survival and FPS creates a particularly addictive cocktail* that I have rarely seen elsewhere.
Here is why you should absolutely give him a chance:
- It’s free during the test phase (seriously, you have nothing to lose)
- The Martian underground atmosphere is really unique
- The mutation system offers satisfactory progression
- Fighting to the first person add adrenaline
- The reactive ecosystem makes each part different
I have rarely been so excited by a game still in development. If you appreciated Valheim for his exploration and survival side, but you are looking for something with more direct action and a more science fiction universe, ** Blind descent could well become your new video game obsession **. Do not miss this opportunity to test it for free before everyone else!