Under a Rock is a procedural open-world survival crafting game that drops players into a vibrant, mysterious island full of exotic creatures and untamed wilderness. Developed by Nordic Trolls and published by Gameforge, this indie adventure title emphasizes exploration, building, and survival in a world with its own evolutionary twists, supporting solo play or co-op with up to 10 friends on PC.
Gameplay
In Under a Rock, the core loop revolves around gathering resources, crafting tools, and building shelters to survive harsh environments. Players start as stranded explorers in an early-19th-century inspired setting, navigating procedurally generated landscapes that include dark caves, underwater areas, and vast surface terrains. Key mechanics include harvesting materials, farming, fishing, and combating or taming a variety of creatures, which can be bred or ridden for advantages during exploration.
Combat involves fighting cute yet lethal wildlife, while building offers extensive options for creating bases, from simple homes to expansive villages. The character creator allows for diverse customization, letting players tailor their appearance. Systemic gameplay encourages choices like living peacefully by the ocean or interacting with curious natives, with each playthrough varying due to procedural generation.
Game Modes
Under a Rock supports flexible play styles for 1 to 10 players, blending single-player experiences with cooperative multiplayer. There are no strictly defined modes, but the game focuses on shared survival challenges where groups can explore, build, and tame creatures together in the same procedural world.
This setup allows for solo adventurers to tackle the island's secrets at their own pace or teams to collaborate on large-scale bases and expeditions, adapting to the game's open-ended nature.
Current State and Updates
As of early 2026, Under a Rock remains in development with recent updates showcasing progress on core systems like world evolution, exploration, building, and combat. A January 2026 development update from the team highlighted improvements in procedural generation and gameplay features, building on community feedback from previews.
Pre-release footage from sources like YouTube demonstrates gathering and building mechanics, with community discussions on platforms like Reddit showing interest in the game's ambitious scope.
Is It Worth Playing?
For fans of survival crafting games who enjoy procedural worlds and co-op elements, Under a Rock shows promise based on its development updates and preview materials. The emphasis on taming creatures and expansive building could appeal to those seeking a mix of adventure and creativity, especially in a multiplayer context.
With ongoing developer support evident in recent trailers and community engagement, it might suit players looking for a fresh take on the genre once it launches, though its early access roots suggest waiting for full release to gauge long-term updates.
