The latest sandbox shooter playable for free on Steam

To celebrate the Christmas season, Swedish developer 5 Fortress invites players to a special event: From December 23 to January 2, PC gamers can join a free playtest of their new sandbox shooter, Striden.

Striden blends survival, tactical combat and base-building into a unique multiplayer experience. Set on the Scandinavian peninsula devastated by the aftermath of an escalated Cold War and radioactive fallout, players choose from five distinct classes: Assault, Engineer, Medic, Scout and Support. Each class plays a vital role in achieving team success.

Matches pit four teams of five players against each other, with 20 participants battling for victory. Starting with basic equipment, players scavenge resources to upgrade their gear, construct bases fortified with defenses like turrets and fend off rival teams. A critical objective involves gathering airdrop components to build a transmitter and trigger an evacuation, a high-stakes maneuver vulnerable to enemy interference.

Unique mechanics set Striden apart from its peers. Features like a streamlined loot system, the ability to transform into animals such as a bear or moose and the dynamic threat of radioactive fog add depth to the gameplay. While inspired by games like Escape from Tarkov and Rust, Striden carves out its own identity in the genre.

How gamers can take part in the playtest

Joining the Striden playtest is simple, just visit the game’s page on Steam and request access. Players will be notified once the game becomes available to them. This playtest marks the first step in involving the community, giving players the chance to contribute to the game's development.

The Early Access release is scheduled for 2025, with the studio placing great importance on player feedback to refine Striden further. Currently, the game is only available in English and Steam Deck compatibility has not yet been confirmed.