
The Wild Eight
Release Date: October 3, 2019
Action, isometric view, survival, indie games, co-op, crafting, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
An isometric survival game with co-op gameplay for up to eight players at its core. The Wild Eight tells the story of eight people stranded somewhere in cold Alaska after surviving a plane crash. The player’s role is to team up with other survivors and work together in order to stay alive and find a way back home.
The Wild Eight is a survival game featuring isometric perspective, which puts special emphasis on cooperative gameplay for up to eight players. Released for PC and XONE, this is a debut project of a Russian studio 8 Points.
Plot
The Wild Eight tells a story of a group of 8 unrelated persons, whose lives go through a dramatic change in one moment. They become the only survivors of an unexplained plane crash somewhere over the ice-bound Alasca. Easy to guess, the player assumes the role of one of the lucky few and has to team up with other survivors in order to stay alive and find a way back home.
Mechanics
Gameplay mechanics in The Wild Eight for PC and XONE draw inspiration from the multitude of previous works representing the widely popular genre of sandbox survival games, in which players are thrown into a hostile environment with only one mission: survive. Therefore, the game by 8 Points also features such elements as exploration, discovering new secrets, complex crafting system, character development, and combat with mutant animals and other dangers just waiting for the players in the far north. Using resources found in the game’s world you must also build a shelter for the entire group as well as create various tools useful for surviving in this environment where food is scarce and the temperature at night drops to critical levels.
The biggest innovation featured in The Wild Eight is emphasizing teamwork. Up to eight people can play together at the same time, and each character – depending on players’ preferences – can have completely different personality and moral values. As you play, you can never be sure if, when put against the wall, one of your companions won’t turn out to be a ruthless egoist, unwilling to stick out his neck for everyone, rather eager to sacrifice another player for his own gain.
Technical aspects
Released on PC and XONE The Wild Eight features quite characteristic, cartoon-like visuals. Despite its original art style, the creators succeeded in creating evocative atmosphere of the icy-cold regions of Alasca, unreachable for a common man. This, however, is not a big surprise, since members of the studio come from the eastern regions of Syberia – one of the coldest and unique parts of the Earth, where, as the creators say themselves “people eat bears for breakfast, develop games for lunch, and gather firewood for dinner — because electricity is too expensive”.
Last updated on March 21, 2017
Videos and Screens
[2:05] The Wild Eight launch trailer
[1:50] The Wild Eight cinematic
Movies Games and Tech: 7 / 10 by Daniel Waite
When I first saw this advertised, I was sure that it would be “just” another survival game, but yet it surprised me. With its generous difficulty curve, glorious aesthetics and ample replay value, it will test newbies and veterans of the genre. I enjoyed how the developers dipped their toes into the world of surreal and fantasy alongside their realistic survival mechanics. I won’t spoil it for you, but you will find some joyous and brutal surprises during your time in Alaska. Do I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s a cracking example of a survival game and can be purchased here! Do you have what it takes to venture into the snowy tundra and come out stronger on the other side? Plenty of ice, wolves, and mysteries lie ahead for those who take on The Wild Eight.
PlayStation Universe: 7 / 10 by John-Paul Jones
The Wild Eight is a fine survival and micromanagement simulator that is ably supported by decent crafting, exploration and a nuanced audiovisual presentation. However, the omission of the online multiplayer functionality which is arguably the cornerstone of the PC version, certainly stings much more than it should.
GameSpew: 7 / 10 by Kim Snaith
Essentially LOST meets Impact Winter, there’s a lot to love about The Wild Eight. A few bugs and niggles hold it back from being great, but its intriguing story filled with mystery and surprises will keep players hooked. Even when you die (which you likely will), you’ll be keen to jump back in just to find out what waits around the next corner. If you’re a fan of survival games, or looking to dip your toes into the genre, The Wild Eight is worth venturing into.
The Wild Eight Summary
Early Access:February 8, 2017
Platforms:
PC Windows October 3, 2019
PlayStation 4 October 27, 2020
Xbox One February 9, 2021
Developer: Fntastic
Publisher: HypeTrain Digital


The Wild Eight System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1 GHz / AMD FX-6300 3.5 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 670 or better, 2 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit

Previous Game by The Day Before Devs 'Changed' Makers; Players Call Another Scam
After the resounding failure of The Day Before, studio Fntastic changed the name on one of its previous games available on Steam. This did not escape the attention of gamers, who pointed out to the developers may be planning another scam.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
December 12, 2023