Oceaneers

Oceaneers

Early access since Apr 2026

A sci-fi survival-crafting colony sim set in a flooded world of floating islands. Build a colony, craft gear, design rafts, fend off sharks, manage your survivors, and explore island bunkers to uncover lost Float-Tech from an old-world corporation.

88% positive · 115 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 $22.49 $24.99 −10%
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Evaluation

Oceaneers entered Steam Early Access on April 13, 2026, and Barrel Smash Studios has maintained a high-frequency development cadence since launch. The studio — a two-person team — has shipped major content updates roughly every 4–6 weeks: an automation and workshop update on May 9, a beverages and drinks system on June 8, a lighting and clothing overhaul on July 9, and a building grid, modules, and CUBERT update on August 13. As of September 17, 2026, the next update ("Ranged Combat & Stink Worms") is already on the public test branch awaiting live release. The developer published a detailed updated roadmap on August 31, 2026, outlining substantial planned content that has not yet shipped: a new "Frontier Mode" sandbox game mode designed for long-term replayability, a colony progression tier system with hygiene and entertainment needs, a medical system with escalating conditions, taming and trapping, and a long-term plan to give all wildlife emergent behavior systems. The developer also explicitly noted that official language translations (Chinese and German prioritized) are planned for the 1.0 launch, which itself has no announced date. The studio is clearly active, communicating frequently, and has a well-defined roadmap of content still to come before the game reaches its 1.0 release.
Evidence
The 'Ranged Combat & Stink Worms' update is live on the public test branch, introducing ranged weapons, unarmed combat, new wildlife (Stink Worms), new combat automation, a new occupation, a loot system, new tech buildings, and pacing improvements. Developer notes long-term plans to expand wildlife behavior systems further.
news post · Sep 17, 2026 source content planned
high
Updated Early Access roadmap published detailing planned content not yet shipped: Frontier Mode (new sandbox game mode), colony progression tiers with hygiene and entertainment needs, a medical system, taming and trapping, and official language translations at 1.0 launch. Developer states 'there is still lots more planned.'
news post · Aug 31, 2026 source content planned
high

Media

Details

Publisher
Barrel Smash Studios
Achievements
16
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

In Oceaneers, a survival-crafting colony simulation game, you manage a group of stranded survivors in a flooded world where sci-fi meets palm trees. With sinking islands, and scarce resources, you’ll need to grow an island colony, recruit new survivors and protect them from dangers on both land and sea!

SURVIVE ON FLOATING ISLANDS

The ocean is scattered with floating islands powered by Float-Tech. Build devices to resurface them to haul back to your colony. Collect the best islands to deploy and create a thriving settlement.

Harvest, Scavenge, Survive

Harvest and scavenge resources to build a colony that can sustain your survivors. Supplies are scarce, so you’ll need to brave the ocean and journey far to keep your stockpiles up.

Colony Management & Needs

A steady food and water supply is essential to meet your survivors' needs, but don’t forget about waste. Spoiled food and survivor mishaps must be managed while you establish fertilizer production and crop farming.

Send Rafts on Expeditions!

Send survivors on expeditions, then take direct control once they arrive. Discover new biomes, resources, blueprints, and unique story items as you explore the seas. Locate the best islands for your colony!

Science Starts with Float-Tech

Research primitive contraptions, and uncover strange Float-Tech devices from an old-world corporation. With a wide and deep research tree, you decide how and when your colony advances.

Your Colony, Your Characters

Create characters with distinct skills and traits to form a well-rounded colony. With plenty of hairstyles, beards and mustaches, you’ll grow attached to your survivors and their journey.

Fend Off Threats Above and Below

Protect your colony from harsh weather, and threats on land and sea. Fortify your rafts, weather-proof your buildings and set up countermeasures against food-stealing seagulls, foot-pinching crabs and raft-wrecking sharks!

Explore Island Bunkers, Story Included!

Deep within floating islands lie bunkers filled with corporate secrets, unique resources, weird technology, and pieces of a larger story. Build access hatches and explore their hidden depths.

Features:

  • Control multiple characters in this single player experience.

  • Directly control characters and set up automated tasks.

  • Design multiple rafts and send survivors on expeditions.

  • Haul islands back to your colony to expand your island home.

  • Improve island buoyancy with contraptions that keep islands afloat.

  • Research and unlock advanced workstations and upgrades.

  • Survive against weather events, and threats on both land and sea.

  • Farm crops, prepare rations and cook meals.

  • Customize your survivor names, traits, hair styles... including beards & mustaches!

  • Uncover the deep sea storyline plot alongside the survival journey.

Last evaluated Sep 21, 2026
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