Steam's new base-building game looks satisfying, with a greater emphasis on combat and trains.

Open world survival crafting and base building games are very popular in the world. steamWith some great people like I'm satisfied, Subnauticaand Factorio It stands as a shining example of the genre. As the genre has boomed over the years, Steam has seen a huge influx of games based on the mechanics of highly regarded titles. Some have had more success than others, but in general, the ones that stand out the most are the games that offer unique twists on the core gameplay loops of survival, crafting, and base-building.

exotrain The upcoming entry in the genre from developer Harpoon Games aims to join the ranks of these giants with its train-based hook. There's no confirmed release date yet, but it's available on the Steam page exotrain A release window is listed for Q3 2026, with release dates ranging from July 1 to September 30. Yes, as long as there are no significant delays. exotrain It could establish itself as one of the best survival crafting games of 2026 and become a real contender. Subnautica 2.

ExoTrain feature overview

• Battle for survival against hostile alien wildlife

• Open world exploration

• Mine resources while defending your drill from enemies

• Craft materials from collected resources

• Upgrade your train to your home base

• Solo and co-op play options

ExoTrain allows players to explore a ruined planet by train.

The premise is exotrain We see players begin their journey across the ruined planet, expecting to arrive there to start a new job at Exoplanet Industries. Instead of finding an inhabited planet, players find only ruins infested with hostile wildlife. They must explore what is left of the colony to extract the resources they need to survive. You essentially have to start from nothing and build your way up to a viable habitat, similar to games like: Subnautica.

main part exotrain's identity is the train itself, which serves as the player's home base and serves as their primary method of transportation when exploring the planet. while exotrain It typically features an isometric gameplay perspective, with the camera switching to a top-down view as you drive a train to reach new areas of the planet. Players can instantly access storage and upgrades by switching their characters back to an isometric perspective while the train is moving.

ExoTrain's title Train upgrades are the key to survival

Trains are more than just a means of transportation. exotrainUpgrading your components is the key to survival. Players can build various modules on the train to aid in the crafting process, including research stations, weapon crafting stations, and storage lockers. same game fan I'm satisfied You will quickly realize how important it is to upgrade these features. That's because these features often hold the key to accessing more complex crafting trees that act as gateways to progression.

Combat is an important aspect of ExoTrain gameplay.

With exploration and crafting exotrain's gameplay loop is combat, and it plays a much bigger role than other games in this genre. battle exotrain It plays similarly to APRG. diablo or path of exileIn , players face enemies from an isometric perspective and cast various skills while defeating them. exotrain There are also a variety of weapon types for players to choose from.

• battle ax

• ax

• window

• knife

• submachine gun

• rifle

• thermal sniper rifle

Upgrading your armor and gear is also an important part of being prepared for battle. exotrainThe game includes a mechanic that allows players to customize their build through an overclocking system. At the overclocking station exotrain Players can add modules to their loadout that provide enhanced abilities, such as increasing the rifle's critical strike chance or reducing heat generation. This system exotrain Almost RPG-like progression system Diablo 4It uses a Tempering mechanic along with a crafting progression system.

ExoTrain shares many features with games like Satisfactory and Subnautica.

Utilizing trains or including some degree of combat in a survival craft game isn't revolutionary for the genre. I'm satisfied Both trains and battles are included. The former is used to transport resources around the map, while the latter allows players to collect resources from creatures. Subnautica Progression is also locked behind vehicle upgrades, with players needing access to the Cyclops Submarine to reach the deepest parts of the ocean. but, exotrain Take these features and put them front and center.

Automation is key to games like: I'm satisfiedand exotrain This system features a combative twist. Although resource extraction is a process that is easily automated, exotrainBecause players can build mining drills on ore veins, these structures cannot be left completely untouched to collect resources. Because combat is the key part. exotrainIn the gameplay loop, players must defend their mining drills from enemy attacks so that they can continue gathering resources unhindered. However, there is no need to actively defend the structure, as players can also set up defenses such as automatic turrets to stop these creatures.

Riding the rails is great, but building a permanent base is also fun.

exotrain's official train does not have to be the player's only base. The game also allows players to build much more permanent structures as they gain resources and technology. similar Subnautica or I'm satisfiedThe ability to create large-scale production facilities and outposts throughout the game world will be helpful. exotrain Players go on a quest to restore a ruined colony and clear the remains of a planet completely devoid of human life.