Sail a Mapless Planet in a Small Flying Boat! “ATMOSFAR” Is a Sky Island Survival Game of Discovery, Crafting, Camping [Preview]

Shueisha Games has announced that *ATMOSFAR*, an open-world exploration adventure developed by the Sweden-based studio Apog Labs, is now available on Steam Early Access as of October 30, 2026.

The game is set on the vast and mysterious planet Tycos. Players take on the role of an adventurer seeking to uncover the planet’s hidden truths as they explore its various islands. Not only can players travel aboard the small flying boat “Wasp,” but they can also embark on grand adventures using a larger cruiser as their base.

On the planet Tycos, players will face natural threats such as roaring jet streams and thunderous storms, as well as plants harmful to humans and giant animals. Careful preparation is essential, including upgrading your cruiser base and building camps to provide a safe haven during your adventures.The game also supports multiplayer for up to four players, allowing you to embark on adventures with friends.

In this article, we bring you an early hands-on report on the highly anticipated new title, *ATMOSFAR*. Gameplay and screenshots were captured using the Steam version provided by the developer.

An aerial adventure that begins aboard a single airship

The story of *ATMOSFAR* begins with the protagonist—a convicted criminal within “PACE,” an organization supporting colonization of the planet Tycos—being forced to work in a facility for convicts under the watchful eye of drones. It appears that the rule here is that only those who complete their assigned daily tasks for a set period of time are sent to a new location.

Here, as part of the tutorial, you’ll learn the basics of movement and how to gather resources. While this game features crafting and survival elements, you don’t obtain wood by chopping down trees. Instead, you use the “Extraction Tool”—the first item you acquire—to break down scrap and other materials to obtain various resources.

The player’s task is to deposit the resources collected with the Extraction Tool into designated locations; once the quota is met, a meager meal is provided. While working, extreme weather strikes the workshop, wiping out all the surveillance drones. Seizing the opportunity, the protagonist escapes and boards a Wasp parked at the landing pad.

Having escaped safely, the protagonist receives a mysterious transmission on a nearby island and sets out to find its source. However, during the adventure, the Wasp encounters trouble and is damaged, forcing the protagonist to learn how to make repairs and set up camp in order to survive.

The introduction unfolds very smoothly, letting you imagine a grand adventure starting from a single ship (the Wasp). The “title sequence” that appears during the initial escape is a classic touch—and it’s fantastic!

Explore the islands and unravel the mysteries of the world

Various islands float throughout Tycos, each featuring lush nature, harsh environments, and towns and facilities built during the colonization process. While many facilities are virtually uninhabited, security drones patrol certain areas, so you must never let your guard down.

You can gather crafting materials and food in various locations. Additionally, you can earn research points from data discs, which allow you to unlock new crafting recipes and more. Some islands feature facilities that require solving puzzles to enter, as well as hidden caves and other spots—the more you explore, the more valuable items you’ll find.

As the story progresses, you’ll gain access not only to Wasps but also to “Cloud Cruisers,” which can carry Wasps and allow you to travel through the skies. Cruisers can also be used as production bases, and players are free to combine parts as they see fit. It’s truly cool to have a Cruiser waiting in the sky near your destination while you deploy a Wasp!

Furthermore, the variety of Wasps you can use expands, with models better suited for transport and others optimized for combat. In-game, you can summon Wasps not only from the Cruiser but also from docks located throughout the world, allowing you to switch between them depending on the situation. Once you learn the recipes, you’ll also be able to upgrade both the Cruiser’s parts and the Wasps themselves.

Being able to use cruisers and different Wasps steadily expands the player’s range of action. It’s not uncommon to find valuable resources even on small islands, so being able to truly experience the joy of adventure is a major draw.

The Entire Planet Is a Campsite!

The first Wasp you’ll be able to pilot can be equipped with a “Camp Hub,” which serves as your temporary base. This combines crafting facilities like workbenches and cooking stoves, storage chests, and even a tent for restoring health—and as long as you have the Wasp and enough space, you can easily set it up or take it down.

At camp, you can craft fuel for the Wasp, power for your tools, and items to restore health. Power isn’t just needed for extracting resources—it’s also essential for using stun guns to deal with dangerous creatures in the area. While your health gradually regenerates during the day, these items are indispensable in emergencies or during long-term explorations.

Additionally, cooking meals not only restores health but also grants temporary buffs, such as increased jump height. While cooking requires a significant amount of ingredients, you can also grow plants once you unlock the recipes. Since combat in this game is quite challenging, it’s essential to be fully prepared with ample power and health recovery supplies.

This game essentially lacks evasion mechanics, so there are many situations where you have no choice but to fight enemies head-on when you encounter them.The protagonist’s base stamina is low, and since the stun gun consumes power, consecutive battles can feel quite grueling in the early game when resources are scarce. Drones may respawn if you don’t collect their materials immediately after destroying them, and there are also puzzle-solving scenarios in areas where enemies repeatedly appear. On the other hand, since many enemies won’t pursue you if you flee, deciding whether to fight or run is crucial.

What makes this camp hub so great is that you can “store items on the Wasp.” As mentioned earlier, you can summon it from docks throughout the world, so you can produce items or retrieve stored items even while exploring. Since this is a game where you use materials to repair damaged facilities, being able to save inventory space is a major advantage.

The Joy of Discovering Adventures for Yourself

A major feature of *ATMOSFAR* is the freedom to enjoy your own adventures. While quest progression—including acquiring certain tools—is somewhat predetermined in the early stages, once you obtain a cruiser, exploring far-flung areas becomes quite straightforward.

Gameplay-wise, paths to new areas are often indicated early in the main quest, so you’ll naturally learn a lot as you play. However, many quests involve exploring objectives or solving puzzles, requiring players to think carefully to complete them.

Additionally, new quests may trigger when the protagonist reaches a new island or location, or when they pick up audio logs left behind in various places. The island designs in the game are incredibly detailed, and it’s not uncommon to spot a new facility just beyond a small gap. If it seems far away, a new adventure aboard the Wasp awaits.

However, while important quests are marked on the UI, this game is designed without a “world map or minimap,” so certain exploration segments can be quite challenging. The effort required to uncover locations based on clues and the resulting sense of accomplishment are truly wonderful, but it may feel difficult until you get the hang of it.

*ATMOSFAR*, where you can enjoy epic journeys through the planet’s skies, offers a challenging adventure and compelling story. From the very beginning, you can travel comfortably aboard the Wasp or a cruiser, and with a variety of customization and crafting options available, it’s easy to feel the rewards of your exploration—which is a major draw.

On the other hand, there are parts of the game where explanations are sparse, so you might struggle with combat, inventory management, and puzzle-solving until you get the hang of it. However, many of these challenges are resolved as you learn through your adventures, so I suspect this is actually an intentional aspect of the game design.

In the current Early Access build, you can explore two regions, pilot three types of Wasps, and enjoy aerial travel aboard the Cruiser. Plans for the full release include the addition of new regions and Wasps, as well as gameplay expansions, and the story will continue to progress toward its conclusion. It looks like the adventure on this mysterious planet is far from over!