Since its release just five months ago, indie survival horror game Lethal Company has sold over 9 million copies on Steam.
With an “overwhelmingly positive” rating, it’s safe to say that it has quickly stolen the hearts of gamers across the world. Its multiplayer-oriented gameplay and affordable price of $9.99 has made it an incredibly popular choice for friends looking to get together and share a laugh (or a scream).
The gameplay itself centers around a group of up to four players that is assigned the task of exploring abandoned moons and retrieving “scrap,” or resources. These items range from discarded toys and furniture to valuable engines.
There is an ever-looming profit quota that the team must meet, and it rises after each one is met.
The real challenge arises once the players enter the buildings found on each moon. The valuable scrap scattered throughout the map isn’t the only thing being hunted—monsters of all shapes and sizes roam the area, and most do not hesitate to ambush you at any given moment.
Some will attack you on sight—like the Thumper, a large creature that charges at and eats players with one of its four mouths. Others will stalk you in wait of the perfect opportunity, such as the Flower Man, a shadowy figure that only strikes when the player isn’t looking.
Even if a player is lucky enough to escape the building alive, monsters will appear outside once night falls. This creates an even more tense trek back to the ship while trying to avoid the aggressive fauna that litter the environment.
The stress is only relieved once the ship takes off, assuming everyone made it back in one piece.
One of the most unique aspects of this game is its use of proximity voice chat. While this is not a new concept in video games, the way it is used in Lethal Company creates a perfectly horrifying experience.
Teammates will only be able to hear you if you are nearby, making teamwork and communication vital for survival. However, the monsters you face can also hear you.
Tense moments of silent hiding while a monster creeps past you make the game feel as if you are living out a horror movie.
Despite being released only a short time ago, Lethal Company is an instant hit. It has rested on the top sellers page on Steam for several months now, and it is easy to see why.
Aside from the hours upon hours’ worth of in-game content, the creator, Zeekerss, has been releasing frequent updates and plans for much more to be added in the future.
Additionally, the modding community has latched onto it with eagerness, adding new items, monsters, moons, and more. Lethal Company has become a staple in the survival horror game genre, and it will continue to thrive among fans.