Steam: Fungi instead of freedom – Helldivers-style co-op shooter now free to try
Mycopunk is an upcoming co-op shooter that draws clear inspiration from one of 2024’s biggest co-op hits: Helldivers 2. But instead of playing as noble soldiers freeing planets from monstrous bugs, you step into the metallic shoes of the New Atlas Hazard Crew – a band of eccentric robots contracted by the SAXON Corporation to tackle a massive fungal outbreak. The name says it all: “Myco” hints at the mushroom-infested setting, while “punk” reflects the gritty, chaotic world these mechanical misfits navigate, wading through spore storms and oozing biomes.
Unlike Helldivers, Mycopunk is played from a first-person perspective, which adds a sense of speed and chaos to the action. Missions are dynamic and varied – one moment you're decontaminating fungal zones, the next you're retrieving biological samples or dismantling strange fungal structures. Time is always tight and enemy waves grow increasingly intense as the mission progresses. Rather than traditional stratagems like airstrikes, turrets or supply drops triggered by key combos, Mycopunk introduces a grid-based mod system for weapon customization. Players can equip over 40 different modules that alter damage types, modify firing behavior or activate unique effects, giving combat a more personalized and strategic edge.
Adding to the chaos are class-based abilities unique to each robot – like a gliding sprint, a deployable shield or a poison cloud for area control. These tools are baked into each character’s loadout, encouraging team synergy and tactical play. Visually, Mycopunk leans into a cel-shaded style that blends the gritty charm of Borderlands with the chunky sci-fi aesthetic of Deep Rock Galactic. The result is a world that feels both grotesque and oddly humorous, striking a balance between menace and absurdity.
Demo is very well received on Steam
Since April 28, co-op fans have had the chance to try out the Mycopunk demo – and the early feedback is promising. While it's still flying under the radar with just 93 Steam reviews so far, 92% of them are positive. The demo offers a generous slice of content, featuring two missions, four distinct classes and an interactive hub area. Players have praised the inventive weapon mod system, the game's offbeat humor and its eccentric atmosphere. Many also highlight the surprisingly rich scope of the demo, which already gives a strong sense of the game’s potential.
However, the demo isn't without its flaws. Some players report that movement can feel stiff and in the heat of battle, hit feedback occasionally falls short, making combat less satisfying. The balance between class abilities and weapon mods also seems underdeveloped, hinting at the need for further tuning. Progression systems like skill trees and crafting are still inaccessible in the demo, which slightly dampens long-term motivation. There are also a few technical issues. Minor bugs – such as indestructible mission objectives – can disrupt gameplay, and the game’s high GPU usage has raised concerns, especially among streamers who’ve encountered performance hiccups during broadcasts.
Planned for release in 2025 – exact date still unknown
Mycopunk is slated for a full release sometime in 2025, though an exact date has yet to be announced. In the meantime, those interested can already add the game to their Steam wishlist to stay updated on future developments.
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