Australian indie game studio Chaos Theory Games has unveiled “Rusthaven,” a solarpunk-inspired healing management game. Currently in development for PC in 2027, the game features an “anti-apocalyptic” adventure where players build a robotic utopia.
“Rusthaven” is a game where players explore abandoned planets in a flying airship, rescue broken robots, and reboot the world. The developers emphasize “second chances, hope, and a better tomorrow” as the core values of the game, promising a relaxing experience with no enemies or game overs.
A story of hope blooming from ruins
Players assume the role of Scoot, a captain-level robot. Waking up on a scrappy airship, Scoot discovers that his best friend, Bipp, is beyond repair. Requested by his new crew to captain the airship, Scoot sets out to explore a lush, post-apocalyptic world, searching for lost robots and ancient technology.
The game is a story about second chances and hope. In a ruined yet beautiful world, players gather resources to upgrade their airship, discover broken robots, and repair them to welcome new crew members.
Scout the world, uncovering broken robots and helping them recover their lost memories, overcome their pasts, and achieve their dreams. Upgrade your chassis with upcycled parts to unlock new skills and grow a self-sufficient community. As your family grows, your airship transforms from a simple search vehicle into a warm, living space you can all call home.
Turning an old airship into a haven in the sky
Players refurbish old, rusty airships and sail across the skies. Exploring the ruins of forgotten planets and discovering traces of past civilizations is also a key element of the game. To make the airship a comfortable home, players can construct new rooms to house their robot crew, upgrade their ship’s capabilities, and craft decorations to decorate their base.
You can design floating homes with solar panels, gardens, and cozy workspaces, and freely customize your sanctuary and character to reflect your personal journey and style.
‘Rusthaven’ emphasizes leisurely gameplay. You can relax in the tranquility of regrowth. Activities include tending the community garden, cooking meals for the group, or even fishing solo.
The most important feature is that there are no enemies or game overs. ‘Rusthaven’ is a space where players can enjoy themselves however they choose, and aims to provide a healing experience.
Upcycling: Turning Scrap Metal into Treasure
The core gameplay of ‘Rusthaven’ revolves around upcycling. The developers emphasize the concept that “one person’s trash is another robot’s treasure.” Players unearth ancient human electronics like digital cameras, flat-screen TVs, and MP3 players.
You can tinker and disassemble these to obtain parts, which you can use to craft new tools, modify your airship, or augment your own robotic body. Collecting and crafting is accomplished through engaging minigames.
Gamers’ actions leave visible and lasting changes in the world. Witness forests bloom, waterways clear, and animals return to their natural glory.
You can also help your companions find their place and achieve their personal dreams. You can contribute in various ways, such as unearthing long-forgotten recipes and sharing them with friends or restoring extinct plants. The developers emphasize the message that “everyone deserves a second chance, and nature itself is no exception.”
The world is broken, but there is a hopeful worldview that nothing can’t be repaired that permeates the entire game.
The development philosophy of three childhood friends: “A game that imagines a better future.”
Chaos Theory Games is an indie studio founded in 2011 by three childhood friends. Their impressive team earned them the coveted “Studio of the Year” award at the 2024 Australian Game Development Awards (AGDA). They are renowned for their thoughtful and wholesome game creation.
Nico King, Creative Director at Chaos Theory Games, said: “Our vision has always been to provide great games that inspire hope in gamers and make the world a better place,” said Rusthaven, adding, “In 2026, we believe it’s important to create games that imagine a better future than ever before.”
This reflects the developer’s consistent philosophy. The strategy game “Crab God,” released in 2024, garnered attention for its design that allowed players to contribute to real-world marine conservation efforts based on their in-game progress. “Rusthaven” also aims to inspire a sustainable future through games, demonstrating that they can go beyond mere entertainment to become a medium for imagining a better future.
The game is scheduled for a PC release in 2027 and is currently available on Steam for your Wishlist. It features an English interface and subtitles, and is single-player only. It also supports Steam Achievements, cloud saves, and family sharing.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4216290/Rusthaven/
