Fetch. Build. Defend. Get Home.
Independent developer and publisher Octopus Panic has unleashed a brand-new gameplay trailer for GRAVHOUNDS during The MIX Fall Showcase — and this time, it’s all real. Drawn straight from the game’s recent September playtest, the footage shows exactly how this chaotic 1–4 player co-op action-builder feels: fast, frantic, physics-driven, and packed with the kind of teamwork that only comes when you’re all fighting off alien swarms as jetpack-wearing space dogs. Landing on PC and Xbox Series X|S via Early Access on November 2, 2026 — and available day one on Xbox Game Pass — this is one mission you won’t want to miss.
Drop In, Dig In, Get Out
GRAVHOUNDS casts you as a Gravhound — a bio-engineered canine scavenger dropped onto hostile alien worlds to gather resources, build defences, and survive long enough to extract before the planet’s furious inhabitants overwhelm you. It blends three distinct layers into one seamless loop:
- Action Extraction — land, mine, loot, and fight your way across the surface. The longer you stay, the more you earn — and the deadlier the swarm becomes
- Dynamic Base Building — lay power pipelines, erect turrets, fabricators, and defences. Everything is physically placed and connected; if a line breaks, your power drops, your guns go silent, and you’re in trouble
- Physics-Fuelled Chaos — fling items to teammates, launch enemies into orbit with your gravity abilities, and zip along pipelines at high speed. The world is your playground — and your weapon
Pack Mentality — Play Your Way
The game is designed to shine whether you run solo or bring the whole crew:
- Solo — every Gravhound can operate independently, but you’ll need to juggle gathering, building, repairing, and fighting all at once
- Co-op (up to 4) — specialise! One dog mines, another builds, a third mans the guns, and the fourth flings supplies across the map. The trailer shows perfectly synchronised runs where teamwork turns certain defeat into last-minute victory
- Four Unique Hounds — each with distinct strengths and abilities. Mix and match to build your ideal pack
- Mod Deck System — born directly from playtest feedback, you can now customise your loadout with cards that unlock powerful upgrades and shift how you play
What the Playtest Taught Us — And What’s Next
The September playtest saw hundreds of teams dive in, and Octopus Panic has been busy refining every part of the experience:
- Smoother pipelines and more intuitive building placement
- Balanced wave difficulty — tense but never unfair
- The new Mod Deck Builder replaces random drops with player-chosen upgrades
- Performance, polish, and quality-of-life improvements across the board
The trailer captures this evolution — showing real players pulling off daring rescues, chaining gravity throws, and defending their base against impossible odds. It’s messy, loud, and unmistakably fun.
Ready to Howl — Launch Details
Everything you need to know:
- Early Access Launch: November 2, 2026
- Platforms: PC (Steam) + Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox Game Pass: Available day one — included in subscription
- Demo: Live on Steam now — try before you drop
- Early Access Roadmap: Expect new planets, hounds, abilities, and expanded endgame as development progresses
The Pack Is Waiting — Will You Answer the Call?
GRAVHOUNDS isn’t just about surviving alien planets — it’s about doing it together. About grabbing a teammate when they’re swarmed, flinging supplies across the map to where they’re needed most, and building something that holds when everything else falls apart.
Watch the full playtest trailer from The MIX Showcase, play the free demo on Steam, and prepare to join the pack. November 2nd is coming — and these good boys have work to do.
More Info: GRAVHOUNDS
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