Sometimes a quick glance at a screenshot is enough to know immediately: This game could be something very special. With Solarpunk it was this moment for me, in which a floating island lay in the evening light, fields lined with wind turbines, with a small airship at the dock. It seemed idyllic, peaceful and almost like a tangible utopia. And yet there is more to this game than just pretty scenery. It is an attempt to rethink the survival genre - less fighting, more cooperation, less plundering of resources, more sustainable cycles. Sounds almost too good to be true? That's exactly what I want to see in detail.
A survival game without violence - almost revolutionary
Most survival games always rely on the same mix: hunger, thirst, threats and enemies that make your virtual life difficult. With Solarpunk the developers of Cyberwave have deliberately taken a different direction. There are no battles here, instead everything revolves around building, sustainability and shaping a world together, which actually already offers enough challenges. Alone or in co-op with friends, we construct buildings, farm, automate processes and travel above the clouds in our own airship.
That there are no waves of opponents, no Zombies or marauding hordes is almost a small revolution. The tension is created by clever planning, by balancing energy, food and water - and by the question of how to turn your island into a real oasis of well-being. It is a survival game that deliberately focuses on harmony without becoming boring.
Energy as the heartbeat of the Solarpunk game world
I find the energy system, which plays a major role, particularly exciting. Electricity is not generated by Coal stoves or generators, but by wind, sun and water. Production depends directly on the weather - so if you only rely on solar panels, you could suddenly run into problems during a prolonged period of rain. Planning ahead is therefore essential. Energy is stored, distributed and passed on to devices wirelessly. This allows not only simple tasks such as watering plants to be automated, but also more complex production chains to be set up.
The highlight: this system forces you to think not just about the next day, but about longer periods of time. It makes the difference between just keeping an island alive and actually creating a small paradise between the clouds.
Agriculture and animals - a partnership instead of exploitation
Another detail that I immediately liked: Animals are not suppliers of resources in Solarpunk, but partners. There is no factory farming, no hunting for meat. Instead, animals help in their own way. Pigs, for example, dig in the ground and bring truffles to light - if you treat them well. Agriculture is the most important supplier, and those who grow fruit and vegetables also have to be clever with water to avoid shortages.
This concept fits perfectly with the idea of Solarpunk: peaceful, sustainable, communal. It is almost a small criticism of others Survival games, often only see the animals as prey or danger. Here, on the other hand, it is shown that living together can also work differently.
Airships as the key to new worlds
None Solarpunk without exploration - and this is where the airship comes into play. Each player can build their own ship, customize it and then use it to travel to new islands. These trips not only bring resources and rare materials, but also the feeling of really crossing a world in the clouds.
The demo already showed how much fun it is to finally take off after hours of building. Sure, the flying is more arcadey than realistic, but that's exactly what makes it so enjoyable. You steer your ship, pay rough attention to wind and energy - and just let yourself drift. There is potential here for great adventures, perhaps even for an entire lore that explains the world. We don't yet know what the developers are planning in this area, but the idea alone makes us curious.
Building and crafting system - Solarpunk is minimalist but effective
A survival game stands and falls with its user interface. Anyone who has ever despaired in endless crafting menus knows how quickly the fun can be lost. Solarpunk does a lot of things right here: instead of confusing windows, there is a compact radial menu that displays everything important without being overwhelming. Tools, building materials, buildings - everything is just a few clicks away.
I particularly liked the focus on clarity. Tools wear out, but can be rebuilt quickly. Even with the building hammer, everything remains clear and simple. There are enough options for creative constructions without being overwhelmed by the choice. Only a few games manage this balancing act between freedom and overview.
Cyberwave's vision - small but ambitious
Solarpunk comes from the German development studio Cyberwave, which has developed smaller titles such as Hourglass in the past. With the support of publisher rokaplay they are now taking the big step into the international spotlight. The proximity to the community is remarkable: the demo already showed that player ideas are taken seriously and many features are based directly on feedback.
The fact that this is a comparatively small studio is only noticeable in the gradual development. Otherwise Solarpunk surprisingly smooth and ambitious. With the Unreal Engine 5 behind it, the world not only looks pretty, but also runs smoothly. The art style in particular, a mixture of minimalist clarity and colorful idyll, makes the game stand out from the crowd.
Survival in a cozy way - cozy meets strategy
The classification is also interesting: Solarpunk is a survival game, but at the same time it belongs to the so-called Cozy Games. These games place less emphasis on stress or combat and more on relaxation, atmosphere and the feeling of really arriving in a world. In Solarpunk this approach meets classic survival mechanics such as hunger, thirst and scarcity of resources. An exciting mix that should appeal to fans of leisurely building games as well as survival veterans.
And hand on heart: how often do you feel like simply building a peaceful base without a zombie immediately jumping through the window? This is exactly where Solarpunk as a game to take a deep breath, but not without ambition.
Graphics, atmosphere and performance
The graphic design of Solarpunk is not photorealistic, but stylized - and that fits perfectly. Green meadows, shimmering solar panels, futuristic building elements and a sky full of floating islands create an atmosphere that is both futuristic and familiar. There is also a dynamic day/night cycle and weather effects that not only look beautiful, but also have an impact on the gameplay.
The game was already stable in the demo and major bugs were rare. This also contributes to the positive impression. After all, what good is the most beautiful vision if it fails due to technical problems? Cyberwave has done a lot of things right so far.
Hope and expectation for Solarpunk
Solarpunk is more than just another survival game. It is an invitation to rethink the genre. Instead of violence and destruction, the focus here is on community, Sustainability and creativity in the foreground. With its peaceful approach, clever energy system and charming airships, it stands out pleasantly from the competition.
Of course, it remains to be seen how extensive the full version will really be. But there are already many indications that Solarpunk could become a title that will be talked about for a long time. Especially in times when many games rely on hectic action, this project is a welcome exception. Perhaps even a small glimmer of hope in the gaming world - in the truest sense of the word.
