Life Below

Life Below

Released May 2026

Life Below is a refreshing twist on the city-building genre, set beneath the waves. Shape thriving coral reefs, revive collapsing ecosystems, and grow a living seascape in a heartfelt narrative by Rhianna Pratchett. You are the ocean's final hope.

80% positive · 213 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development

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Evaluation

Life Below launched on May 26, 2026 with a soundtrack, art book, and a WDC Supporter Pack (featuring dolphins, with net proceeds supporting Whale and Dolphin Conservation). All three DLC items were released on launch day. Since launch, Megapop has maintained an active post-launch development cadence. Update 1.1.0 on June 3 brought balance changes and quality-of-life improvements. Bug-fix patches followed on June 5 and June 8. The Calmer Waters major update on June 24 introduced a relaxed difficulty mode with reduced hazard severity. Then, on August 25, 2026 (today), the developer released another major update introducing a Peaceful Campaign mode — a new, more relaxed version of the full campaign experience — along with a substantial list of further improvements and fixes. This gives Life Below two major content updates delivered between May 26 and August 25, 2026, roughly 4-8 weeks apart, alongside multiple feature and bug-fix patches. The developer has not announced specific future content or a roadmap, but the pace of updates is active and ongoing. No developer statement signals that content development is winding down.
Evidence
Major update adding a Peaceful Campaign mode — a new relaxed difficulty option for the full campaign — alongside many feature improvements and bug fixes. Released today, August 25, 2026.
news post · Aug 25, 2026 source content shipped
high
Calmer Waters major update added a new relaxed game mode with reduced hazard severity, performance improvements, and numerous quality-of-life features.
news post · Jun 24, 2026 source content shipped
high

Content

3 of 3 released · no outstanding content
Released
May 2026
Released
May 2026

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Kasedo Games
Achievements
40
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

The ocean is dying. Coral reefs are vanishing and ecosystems are breaking down. By the power of the mysterious reef heart you must restore balance, using the ocean floor itself as the foundation to build vibrant havens for sealife. Craft lures to entice different species to your reef and use their natural abilities to overcome underwater hazards. Experience Thalassa’s journey in campaign mode, then undergo new challenges in freeplay.

Advised by marine biologists and shaped with authentic underwater audio, Life below introduces realism into its world of fantasy. Gameplay reflects natural rhythms and interactions, bringing the ocean floor to life with motion, color, and possibility.

In a twist on the city-building genre, resurrect entire ecosystems by strategically crafting and managing vibrant coral reefs to restore life to the deep. This will take a combination of energy-channeling coral, resource generating seashells, and much more to ensure the ocean’s floor not only survives, but truly thrives.

Experience a charming campaign over a series of hand crafted animations, guided by a heartfelt story written by award-winning video games writer Rhianna Pratchett. Appointed by Gaia, Thalassa must restore life to the reef. Become the ocean guardian, revive long-gone habitats, overcome oceanic instability and increase biodiversity.

With the perfect environment formed, you can lure over 40 different wildlife species from coral crabs and monkfish to distinctive hammerhead sharks. Admire your new school of fish close-up or watch over your entire colony, using a powerful new camera system. Under the reef heart’s watchful gaze, create and nurture your own sub-aquatic haven. However, housing them is only the start. To keep the underwater ecosystem thriving, you must cater to their needs and protect them from external threats.

From shifting biomes to outside influence, Life Below presents a range of challenges to navigate. Algae levels, PH balance and an infestation of lionfish aren’t the only challenges you’ll have to solve. More serious threats such as oil spills and garbage patches will call for creative strategies, requiring the help of special wildlife to overcome.

Every zone of the ocean floor will bring its own set of challenges. Temperature and acidity fluctuations along with a naturally limited area are only a few of the problems you’ll need to adapt to. Only by strategically adapting your playstyle to each environment can you efficiently expand your territory to restore the entire reef to its former glory.

Last evaluated Aug 25, 2026
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