15 January 2026

New Survival Sci-Fi Game on Steam Has You Protect a Chicken, Fight an Evil Corporation, and Manage Your Crew

By newsgame

The year is still very young, but Steam already has several releases slated for the first half of 2026 that look quite impressive. Beyond just the first half, there are plenty of AAA heavy-hitters on the horizon this year. GTA 6, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Resident Evil: Requiem are just a few of the big ones on the way. When it comes to solid indies, Steam is the place to look, though. One of the best-looking games about to be released isn’t even a fresh IP. It’s a sequel. Breathedge 2 combines The Outer Worlds‘ humor with elements of No Man’s Sky and Subnautica, blending them into an epic and cheeky adventure led by its heroic returning protagonist: the Man.

The first Breathedge came out in 2021, and the second chapter continues the Man’s danger-filled journey through space as he tries to destroy the titular enemy, Breathedge Corporation. Breathedge‘s story opens with the Man simply trying to scatter his dead grandfather’s ashes. This turns out to be easier said than done because he ends up getting swept up in a massive galactic conspiracy with an immortal chicken as his companion. Breathedge combined a strong story with fun gameplay and challenge, something only the best sci-fi survival games can successfully blend. Breathedge succeeded at this, and its upcoming sequel seeks to upgrade and fine-tune the mechanics and features that made its first chapter so much fun.

Features for Breathedge 2

The immortal chicken returns.
A retro-futuristic vibe
Multiple zones and star systems to explore for resources
Customizable ships
Survival and resource management
Land and air vehicles
Crew and ship management

Each Corner of Breathedge 2’s Galaxy is Filled With Surprises That Could Kill You

One of the most important parts of Breathedge was managing the Man’s resources for crafting. Breathedge 2 brings this core mechanic back, and there are all-new zones to explore throughout the galaxy to retrieve these resources. Each region in the galaxy will have its own unique resources that are specific to that area, so keeping track of which locations are best for certain items and tools is essential. On top of that, there are plenty of unique enemies waiting to pounce and end the Man’s journey, and all of this combines in absurd, fun ways. Among all the awesome survival games on Steam, that’s really what sets it apart: how Breathedge 2 embraces the absurdity of survival situations. Throughout the game, strong humor serves as a reminder of how ridiculous a situation the Man is in.

Breathedge 2 is expected to launch sometime in Q1 of 2026.

Quippy humor isn’t for everyone, but Breathedge and Breathedge 2 use it as a way to add an extra dose of fun. Survival games can be stressful. When your main companion is an immortal talking chicken that always has something off-beat to say, it makes it less harrowing, though. Breathedge 2 could be a good choice for those craving more games like The Outer Worlds 2. Breathedge 2 definitely isn’t an RPG, but its humor will likely resonate with fans of the series.

Customize the Man’s Ship and Make Sure the Crew Doesn’t Die…or Get Lazy

Since this is a survival game, maintaining the crew the Man builds along the way is one of the most important things to keep an eye on. Breathedge 2 makes it clear that if players slack at their duties, then so will the crew. Crew members in Breathedge 2 need a decent amount of attention to do that job. They aren’t static automatons, which adds an extra bit of challenge to the management mechanics.

Some of the best Steam games in recent years have been indie projects that revolve around survival and management of some kind. Breathedge 2 may not be of the same caliber as The Forest series when it comes to these kinds of mechanics, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Between the sci-fi adventure requiring players to search the galaxy for resources and manage a finicky crew, it still promises a solid challenge.

A Custom Ship Offers the Crew Their Own Special Home in Space

From engine upgrades to customizable compartments, Breathedge 2 gives players a way to make the Man’s ship their own. Breathedge 2 may not go as far as fellow space adventure Starfield‘s ship-building mechanics, but it’s a solid way to create a unique space for the Man and his crew. Beyond the main ship, vehicles are going to be very important in Breathedge 2. They were in the first game, but the sequel could kick it up a notch. Players will use a variety of vehicles to traverse planets and space, making going from Point A to Point B way more satisfying.

Right now, it’s unclear just how creative players can get with their custom ships. The first game allowed a decent amount of freedom for decorating and customizing, so Breathedge 2 hopefully follows suit. Building in Breathedge was an important mechanic, and it will be interesting to see how its sequel tweaks these specific mechanics.

Breathedge 2 Promises a Witty Space Adventure Built Around Destroying a Corrupt Corporation

An evil megacorporation lies at the center of Breathedge 2‘s story. The Outer Worlds 2 and its predecessor are built on satirizing corporate overlords, so that will definitely feel familiar for some. From Cyberpunk 2077 to Fallout, pointing a finger at unchecked corporations has continued to be a staple in gaming. So, those who are craving more of The Outer Worlds 2‘s humor or a survival game like Subnautica or No Man’s Sky may have the perfect new game in Breathedge 2.

Breathedge 2‘s Steam page makes it clear that the game wants to balance goofy humor with classic survival. It’s a fun blend, and that makes Breathedge 2 worth checking out when it finally launches. There are a lot of underrated sci-fi games out there, and Breathedge is one of them. What makes Breathedge 2‘s sequel status even better is that it means those interested can jump into the first game while waiting for launch. It’s a double dose of wacky space survival that could become one of the year’s hidden gems.