Lakehopper

Lakehopper

Early access since Mar 2026

Take flight in a seaplane flight simulator through a rugged world where you are responsible for the care and maintenance of your plane. Deliver cargo between far-flung communities in a flooded landscape that challenges your piloting skills! Fix your plane and keep flying!

88% positive · 479 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned
Not yet
In early access, content still planned
High confidence
Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam $9.99
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Evaluation

Lakehopper is a solo-developed seaplane flight simulator that entered Early Access on March 30, 2026. The developer has maintained a steady and active development cadence since launch. On April 5, 2026, the developer published a detailed roadmap describing multiple phases of planned content. Phase 1 includes a second plane, alternate engine parts (most notably a hydrogen-powered radial engine with approximately 150 individual parts), new locations, new jobs, and navigation charts. Phase 2 adds weather systems, a day/night cycle, and terrain improvements. Beyond those, the developer has described plans for NPCs, story content, localization, tutorials, and mod support. Since launch, the developer has shipped steadily: bug fixes and balance changes in March–April 2026, an input system overhaul in April 2026, technical refactoring in May 2026, and then on July 2, 2026 the first major content addition — the Glacier, a single-engine floatplane — released to the beta branch. It graduated to the main branch on July 28, 2026 as version 0.4. A follow-up bug fix patch was posted on August 30, 2026, where the developer noted returning from a summer break with "exciting updates planned for the future." The July 28, 2026 update post explicitly states that the next priority is adding new locations to fly to — directly referencing the roadmap — and confirms ongoing development. The Glacier's delivery fulfills the "second plane" commitment from Phase 1, but the radial engine, new locations, new jobs, and all of Phase 2 and beyond remain ahead. This is an actively developed Early Access title with substantial planned content still to come.
Evidence
Glacier floatplane (second plane) shipped to the main branch as version 0.4 — fulfilling the Phase 1 roadmap commitment for a second plane. Developer states the next big priority is adding new locations, confirming ongoing development.
news post · Jul 28, 2026 source content planned
high
Glacier introduced on beta branch as the game's 'first major content update,' with remaining Phase 1 and Phase 2 content still ahead.
news post · Jul 2, 2026 source content planned
high

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Photon Games
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

Challenge your piloting skills in a seaplane focused flight simulator that takes place in a persistent world where you are responsible for the care and maintenance of your plane. Parts wear out and must be replaced. Otherwise, you risk in-flight failures. At its heart, Lakehopper is a flight simulator, with a physics-based flight model that aims to be realistic and challenging. 

Fly between isolated communities in a flooded, rugged landscape that only seaplanes can serve. Deliver cargo and help connect towns separated by huge distances of nothing but mountains and open stretches of water. Use your skills as a pilot, and the navigational tools at your disposal, to hop between far-flung destinations. Keep your deliveries safe in unforgiving terrain and treacherous waters. Learn intricately simulated plane systems that are a mix of the familiar and the near-future.

A detailed simulation of a workhorse flying boat

  • Assemble your twin engine flying boat seaplane from 100+ parts. 

  • Walk around inside your plane! Being in a vehicle doesn't simply lock you into the pilot's seat, even while flying. Roam around the plane, do in-flight repairs, and reconfigure systems. Just watch your step and keep the door closed! 

  • Refuel your plane and deliver cargo to isolated communities around the region. 

  • Detailed plane subsystems with start-up sequences that require attention to detail.

  • Complex water physics for seaplanes that float, take off, and land like real seaplanes!

A vast map to explore

  • Fly across and explore a mountainous, flooded 360,000 square km (140,000 square mi) map. 

  • Realistic terrain based on real world landscapes.

A challenging, persistent world

  • The game doesn't end just because your flight does. Each flight informs the next!

  • Check the condition of individual plane parts and replace them before they cause in-flight failures... or don't! 

  • Track jobs, run checklists, look up navigational info, and reference assembly instructions with the in-game reference binder.

Fly your way

  • Support for gamepads, joysticks, yokes, throttle quadrants, and many common flight sim peripherals with detailed control rebinding options.

Last evaluated Sep 15, 2026
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