Icarus on the PlayStation 5 is one of those games that quietly pulls you in the more you play it and the deeper you get. When I first saw it, it looked like just another survival crafting game, but after a few hours, I was pretty hooked and really getting into the game’s systems and gameplay. Icarus isn’t your typical survival/building game; it adds to what can often be a cookie-cutter experience. Instead of simply surviving forever in an open world, Icarus builds tension around dangerous expeditions, unpredictable weather, and high-risk resource gathering. The result is a survival experience that feels intense, rewarding, and surprisingly immersive.
One of the game’s biggest strengths is its atmosphere. The planet itself feels alive and genuinely threatening. Storms roll in suddenly, trees crash around you during heavy winds, which can destroy structures and damage you, and wildlife encounters can go from manageable to chaotic in seconds. The environmental effects on PS5 are especially impressive: dense forests, dramatic lighting, thunderstorms, and nighttime exploration all create cinematic moments. There’s a constant sense that the world does not care whether you survive.
The gameplay loop is also really addictive once it clicks. Like most games of this type, every mission starts with you being dropped onto the planet with very little equipment, forcing you to build your way up from scratch. Gathering resources, crafting tools, building shelters, hunting animals, and researching technology all feel meaningful because survival actually matters here. Icarus keeps the pressure on; you’re always thinking ahead, preparing for storms, upgrading gear, managing oxygen, or planning your next expedition into dangerous territory.
What really surprised me was how rewarding the progression system feels. Unlocking new crafting blueprints and better technology gives you a genuine sense of advancement. Starting with basic stone tools and eventually building advanced machinery, firearms, and fortifying your bases against storms and wildlife really makes the journey feel earned. There’s also a huge amount of content available in the main game and through DLC content, especially for players who enjoy long-term progression and exploration. Between missions, open-world gameplay, and cooperative play, there’s easily enough content to keep survival fans busy for a while.
Co-op might honestly be the best way to experience Icarus, though. Playing with friends turns Icarus into a fantastic shared survival adventure. Splitting responsibilities, with one player building, another hunting, and another gathering rare resources, creates a really satisfying teamwork dynamic. Surviving a storm together or scrambling to defend your base from attacks (or putting out the flames when it accidentally catches on fire) leads to some fun times. Even when things go wrong, it often becomes part of the fun rather than just frustration.
That said, the game does have a few smaller issues. The interface and inventory management can occasionally feel awkward on the controller, especially when managing large amounts of materials. It’s not unplayable by any means, but you can tell the game originally had PC roots. There’s also a bit of a learning curve early on. Icarus doesn’t hold your hand very much, so the first several hours can feel overwhelming until you understand the systems and pacing. The game can also feel a little grindy at times if you’re playing solo, particularly when gathering large amounts of resources for crafting, though players who enjoy slower progression may not mind this at all.
Overall, Icarus is a genuinely engaging survival game that stands out because of how dangerous and immersive its world feels. It truly rewards patience, preparation, and experimentation. While it has a few rough edges, the core experience is incredibly satisfying, especially if you enjoy crafting, exploration, base building, and cooperative gameplay. For PS5 players looking for a deep survival game with great atmosphere and plenty of content, Icarus is absolutely worth checking out.
Have you played it? Let us know what you think in the comments!
