The Middle Ages were already a tough time to be alive, but Nested Lands—the new survival-settlement RPG from 1M Bits Horde and META Publishing—is here to make it even grimmer. As of February 25, 2026, the game has officially launched into Steam Early Access, and it’s asking a very important question: How long can you survive before you start to smell like a corpse?
A World Ravaged by the Black Death
Set in a fictional, “no-magic” dark medieval setting, Nested Lands drops you into the shoes of a survivor who has lost everything to a devastating plague. Unlike your typical power-fantasy RPG, there are no fireballs or dragons here. Instead, you’ll face:
- The Death Plague: A constant threat that requires you to manage your “Plague Level.” One wrong move around a contaminated corpse, and your journey ends early.
- Brutal Human Foes: Bandits, “Plague-Twisted” madmen, and desperate peasants who will kill you for a crust of bread.
- Survival Micro-Management: You’ll need to track hunger, thirst, energy, warmth, and—uniquely—hygiene.
“What’s That Smell?” – The Hygiene Mechanic
The title isn’t just a catchy hook. In Nested Lands, if you don’t use the wash buildings or keep yourself clean, your rancid body odor becomes a gameplay mechanic. Enemies can literally smell you coming, making stealth impossible and drawing unwanted attention to your settlement. Personal hygiene isn’t just a luxury; it’s a survival strategy.
Build, Lead, and Endure
You aren’t just surviving alone. The core of Nested Lands is building a thriving (or at least breathing) settlement.
- Recruit Villagers: Find NPCs with unique dreams, fears, and skills to help automate your village.
- Social Management: Your villagers have their own needs and traumas. If they’re unhappy or sick, your productivity—and your defences—will crumble.
- Online Co-op: You can face the horrors of the plague-pocalypse with up to three friends in cross-platform online co-op.
The Road Ahead
The developers at 1M Bits Horde have estimated an Early Access period of about 6 months. The current roadmap promises:
- New Biomes & Islands: Expanding the world of Norovellir.
- Expanded Story: Completing the narrative arc of your character’s family history.
- New Threats: More “Plague-Twisted” creatures and NPC factions.
“We want to evoke a sense of an abandoned place where peace is a part of suffering, and you are the only hope for the surroundings.” — 1M Bits Horde
Is It Worth Your Coin?
Early reviews on Steam are sitting at “Very Positive,” with players praising the atmospheric blend of Medieval Dynasty and Valheim. While some have noted the “audio terror” of the constant drone-like suspense music and the great difficulty, fans of hardcore survival games are finding a lot to love in its gritty realism.
Nested Lands is available now on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. If you think you have the stomach (and the soap) to survive the Black Death, now is the time to jump in.
Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/jF2lj
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