The Zone is open. Not everyone will leave.
Independent developer Ice Quake Studios has officially launched the closed beta for Project S.U.N.D.I.A.L., a gripping 2D pixel?art extraction shooter forged in the spirit of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Escape from Tarkov. Drop into a contaminated exclusion zone, scavenge for survival, and fight to get out — because if you fall, you leave everything behind.
Tarkov Tension, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Soul — In Vivid Pixel Art
Project S.U.N.D.I.A.L. takes the high?stakes PvPvE extraction formula and reimagines it as a top?down 2D adventure, proving you don’t need photorealism to deliver pure dread and adrenaline:
- Handcrafted pixel world — decaying industrial ruins, radiation?scorched settlements, and overgrown danger zones, all rendered with meticulous retro?style detail
- Anomalies & hazards — the Zone itself is your enemy: unstable energy fields, radiation pockets, and shifting terrain that can trap or kill you without warning
- Deep weapon customisation — find, repair, modify, and build your arsenal from scavenged parts; every gun feels different and evolves with you
- Hostile life — mutated creatures, rogue scavengers, and rival factions patrol the wastes. Later, PvPvE multiplayer will add other players to the danger
- Stash & progression — what you extract stays with you. Grow your base, stockpile gear, and prepare for harder runs
What’s Live — And What’s Coming
The current closed beta focuses on solo play — letting you master the mechanics, combat, and extraction loops before facing human opponents:
| Beta Details | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Ice Quake Studios |
| Platform | PC — Steam Playtest |
| Status | Closed Beta — applications open now |
| Current Mode | Solo extraction (PvE only) |
| Upcoming | PvPvE multiplayer in later beta phase |
| Full Release Target | 2027 |
| Carry?Over | Beta progress will not transfer to launch |
How to Join the Zone
Access is invitation?based — secure your spot through:
- Steam Playtest page — apply directly on the game’s store page; selected players receive automatic access
- Official Discord — request a beta key from the community channels
- Studio contact — email Ice Quake Studios directly for consideration
The Golden Rule: Extract or Lose
There are no checkpoints. No safe returns. You enter with what you carry. You leave with what you carry out:
Drop in ? scavenge ? survive ? reach the extraction point ? secure your loot. Die or miss the window, and your gear, supplies, and rare finds remain in the Zone — for someone else to take.
That unforgiving core is what makes every run tense, every decision heavy, and every successful extraction feel like a genuine victory.
Apply for Project S.U.N.D.I.A.L. Closed Beta
#ProjectSUNDIAL #IceQuakeStudios #ExtractionShooter #PixelArt #STALKER #EscapeFromTarkov #PvPvE #IndieDev #Techmash #SteamPlaytest #PCGaming #PostApocalyptic #ClosedBeta