Great Steam Games That Survived Early Access (and Thrived!)

Early access on Steam can be a bit like a first date that is full of potential, a few awkward moments, and the hope that it could perhaps become something wonderful. While many early access games are never seen or heard of again, just a few emerge from early access as fully formed games which go on to become firm favourites in many people’s game lists.

With this in mind, I’ve put together four Steam titles, which have survived early access and become games that managed to beat expectations.

Satisfactory

Early Access: 8th June 2020
Full Release: 10th September 2024

Imagine being dropped onto an alien planet with just one mission: build an efficient and complex factory network. That’s Satisfactory in a nutshell. A first-person factory builder, it is all about building and automating, creating systems that would make any engineer proud.

After five years in early access, the game launched its 1.0 version, which rounded off the game with a full conclusion and saw a transition to Unreal Engine 5, which allowed for enhanced visuals. This game shows how patience and community feedback can help refine a game into a masterpiece.

One warning I will give you is that a lot is trying to kill you on this planet, even for what is mostly a crafting and automation game. My friend and I died repeatedly, especially when we went exploring in caves. Spiders, poison plants, even radioactive material, you have to play a little careful if you don’t want to be dead a lot.

Sons of the Forest

Early Access: 23rd February 2023
Full Release: 22nd February 2024

If you thought camping was scary, then you may not want to try surviving on a cannibal-infested island, but that’s what this game is all about. Sons of the Forest sees you enter a terrifying open-world survival horror where crafting, building, and fighting for your life are all part of your new daily routine. The game expanded upon The Forest’s mechanics and introduced new AI companions to help you, alongside a whole new storyline. Its full release solidified its place as a must-play for horror enthusiasts and survival game fans alike.

Much better with friends, but be careful as friendly fire hurts, ask my friend with the spear sticking out of their head, they’ll tell you. This game ramps up in difficulty as the nights go on, so you do have to learn and adapt fairly quickly, or the game can get away from you, but it’s a blast after all the updates they’ve done.

Raft

Early Access: 23rd May 2018
Full Release: 20th June 2022

Starting on a tiny raft with nothing but a hook and your wits, Raft challenges you to survive the perils of the ocean. Over its four years in early access, the game evolved from a simple survival game into a whole adventure that includes islands to explore, underwater secrets, and a storyline that unfolds as you progress. Its full release brought closure to its epic journey, proving that even the simplest ideas can grow into something engaging.

I’ve seen a few people play Raft, and it looks like a ton of fun, although I haven’t touched it yet myself. The updates added a lot of charm and more customisation to the game as it went on. The hook does seem a little interesting to learn to use, but I think it’ll be really fun once you’re used to it.

PowerWash Simulator

Early Access: 19th May 2021
Full Release: 14 July 2022

Who knew that cleaning could be so satisfying? PowerWash Simulator turns the mundane task of pressure washing into a therapeutic experience. No matter if you are cleaning a muddy bike or a park, the game’s soothing mechanics and satisfying visuals make it hard to put down. Its full release added even more content, including quirky DLCs like cleaning Wallace and Gromit’s home or Bikini Bottom, ensuring that players always have something new to power wash.

Now this game I have in three, yes three, different places. Steam, Switch and PS. I’ve played it with a friend and it’s way more fun that way, it’s a great laugh writing messages or just annoying each other with the water. The amount of detail they add is insane. We usually spend a little time after each level just checking out all the little things we can find (and of course always looking for the hidden gnome in every level).

Final Thoughts

These games show that with the right time and love from both players and developers, a game from early access can really shine and turn into something that a range of gamers will enjoy playing (sometimes even more than once).

Have you played any of these titles?

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