Aloft Early Access Impressions - Reimagining The Survival Genre

mmorpg.com:

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,