Dive into the Newest Sandbox Shooter Adventure with a Free Playtest on Steam

This Christmas season, dive into the joy of gaming with 5 Fortress, a Swedish developer bringing a thrilling opportunity to gamers worldwide. From December 23 to January 2, unleash your strategic skills in an exclusive free playtest of their captivating sandbox shooter, STRIDEN, on your PC.

Set against the haunting backdrop of a post-Cold War Scandinavian peninsula, STRIDEN offers an exhilarating blend of survival tactics, intense combat, and intricate base-building. Players can step into the shoes of five unique classes—Assault, Engineer, Medic, Scout, and Support—each playing a pivotal role in crafting team victories.

Picture this: four teams, each comprising five players, battling head-to-head in matches loaded with suspense and strategy. Starting with minimal gear, immerse yourself in the challenge of scavenging for resources, erecting fortified bases equipped with defenses like turrets, and constantly outmaneuvering your rivals. The adrenaline rush doesn’t end there; one of the primary objectives involves assembling a transmitter from airdrop components to call for evacuation—a move fraught with risk as enemy forces may attempt to thwart your plans.

What truly sets STRIDEN apart are its unique game mechanics. Beyond the immersive looting system and strategic depth, the game introduces fascinating features such as transforming into animals like bears or moose to gain strategic advantages, and contending with the ever-looming threat of radioactive fog that shifts the battlefield dynamic. While it draws inspiration from classics like Escape from Tarkov and Rust, STRIDEN distinguishes itself with an original flair that invigorates the genre.

Eager to join the action? It’s straightforward to hop into the STRIDEN playtest. Simply head over to the game’s Steam page and request access. Once approved, you’ll be on your way to experiencing this thrilling world. This event marks a foundational step in involving the gaming community, providing players with the chance to shape the game’s future development with their feedback.

Although the Early Access release is projected for 2025, the developers are keen on honing the game to perfection, relying heavily on player input. Currently, the game is in English, but there’s more to come on compatibility with other platforms.

Step into a world where your strategic prowess is tested, and every decision counts. STRIDEN awaits—are you ready for the challenge?