A new survival city-builder has emerged from the depths Drownlight, a post-apocalyptic strategy game set in a world swallowed by the sea, is now available to playtest for free on Steam. Often called “Frostpunk on water” by early viewers, the game puts players in charge of humanity’s last hope: a lighthouse-city surrounded by an endless ocean.
Drownlight sets survival against the rising tides
Developed by Fathomlight and published by Crytivo, Drownlight was officially announced on November 4 alongside a striking reveal trailer. The world has drowned oceans have swallowed continents, and survivors cling to a single lighthouse. This beacon isn’t just symbolic; it’s your city’s core. If its light goes out, so does humanity.
The game challenges players to scavenge, rebuild, and defend their fragile floating society while navigating moral dilemmas and managing limited resources. As the developers put it, “If the light dies, people vanish.” It’s a haunting premise backed by mystery, ancient dangers, and tough choices.
Where Winds Meet, a Wuxia-inspired open-world MMORPG, launches November 14 on PC and PS5 alongside Black Ops 7.
The creator of Drownlight welcomes the Frostpunk comparison
Solo developer Alexey Alexandrov, who began Drownlight as a passion project after work hours, has since grown the team. He’s embraced comparisons to Frostpunk, saying:
“Frostpunk is an incredible game, and I’m still far from that level. But if people compare my work to it, I must do everything I can to be worthy of that comparison.”
He added that Drownlight reflects his lifelong dream: to create games where “choices and survival truly matter.”
Free playtest now available on Steam
Drownlight is currently running a limited playtest that players can join by hitting the ‘Request Access’ button on its Steam page. If approved, you’ll be able to download and test the game in its current form.
The developers stress that the build is still in progress. Some features may be incomplete or not functional yet. However, the team is actively collecting feedback during this stage to improve balance, polish mechanics, and refine the experience before launch.
Here’s what playtesters can expect:
- Core survival and building mechanics
- Lighthouse management and exploration
- A preview of Drownlight’s world and tone
- Bugs, rough edges, and ongoing dev updates
Drownlight lets you shape the final game
The Drownlight team is inviting players to join their Discord, where discussions and dev updates are shared regularly. With strong community feedback and a team eager to listen, this citybuilder isn’t just about surviving rising tides it’s about creating something meaningful, together.
