Bootstrap Island

Bootstrap Island

Released Mar 2026

A highly realistic VR survival roguelike adventure set on a ruthless 17th-century tropical island. Shipwrecked and alone, you must survive without guidance as you face wild beasts, nature’s fury, and a mysterious local tribe. Every decision is yours. Your survival is in your own hands!

81% positive · 1,466 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
High confidence
Active Development

Where to buy

Steam $24.99
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Evaluation

Bootstrap Island graduated from Early Access to its full 1.0 release on March 12, 2026, after approximately two years of Early Access during which the developer (Maru VR) shipped five major named updates. The full release was the game's largest update, introducing the local tribe, concluding Daniel's story, and adding major new gameplay systems. Post-launch activity has been consistent and substantial. In April 2026, the developer confirmed they were committed to continuing to improve the game with "further optimizations, gameplay adjustments, and new features on the way." On May 21, 2026, a sneak peek post previewed Major Update 1.1.0, followed by a second teaser on June 3, 2026. The update itself shipped on June 12, 2026, delivering a new cumulative progression system, a redesigned early-game inventory (the Crate), Night Apes (new nocturnal enemies), and bHaptics device support. A hotfix (1.1.2) then shipped on June 26, 2026, refining gameplay and fixing issues introduced by the major update. Across its full history — five major Early Access updates plus the 1.0 release update and now the first post-launch major update — the developer has maintained a clear and sustained pattern of substantial content additions. No statement signaling the conclusion of updates has been made. The most recent developer communication was on June 26, 2026, and the most recent major content drop was June 12, 2026, both well within what the established cadence would suggest as an ongoing update cycle.
Evidence
Major Update 1.1.0 shipped, adding a cumulative progression system, redesigned Crate inventory, Night Apes (new nocturnal predators), and bHaptics support — the first major post-full-release content update.
news post · Jun 12, 2026 source content shipped
high
Developer confirmed commitment to continuing improvement with 'further optimizations, gameplay adjustments, and new features on the way' one month after the 1.0 launch.
news post · Apr 25, 2026 source content planned
high

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Maru VR
Achievements
30
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player

About this game

You step into the role of Daniel, a merchant cast ashore in the 17th century and forced into a brutal fight for survival. Unprepared for the wilderness, you must trust your instincts, learn through failure, adapt to ever-changing dangers, and endure a world that shows no mercy. A roguelike survival adventure where every decision matters and every mistake can cost you everything.

A highly realistic, systems-driven world where everything reacts. Day and night cycles, weather, fire, and liquids interact in complex ways - creating endless, unpredictable challenges.

The island can be explored freely. Beaches, riverlands, jungle, and other biomes offer different resources. Every interaction encourages experimentation and instinctive problem solving. You just have to be creative.

Every failure is a lesson. Learn, adapt, and return wiser and better equipped each time. The island is relentless — prowling predators, violent storms, sickness, territorial threats, poisonous plants, and tense encounters with a local tribe.

No two runs are the same. Resources, weather, and dangers shift with every attempt, forcing you to rethink how you survive.

Uncover the past of a stranded survivor — the life before the shipwreck and the uncertain future ahead. As you explore, piece together who you are, why you were on the ship, and whether your arrival on the island is mere coincidence or something far more meaningful.

There are signs of others. Whether they become allies or enemies depends entirely on you.

Tailor the experience to your playstyle. Adjust day length, world intensity, and survival systems to shape the journey you want — whether you crave a relentless challenge or prefer a slower, exploration and base-building focused adventure.

Co-funded by the European Union. Co-funded by European Union Creative Europe Media.

Last evaluated Aug 19, 2026
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