Nearga and Hypetrain Digital’s Desolate is like the spiritual successor to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The game has officially entered into Early Access on Steam and is currently available for $19.99. During the first week of being available on the platform, you can get it for 15% off at only $16.99.

The game sees players taking on the role of a customizable volunteer who ends up on Granichny Island, which was subject to a massive fallout from a large scale disaster that left the inhabitants rabid, mutants running wild, and special anomalies scattered throughout the environment.

Players will attempt to scavenge the island and uncover the story, mystery and secrets of Granichny Island. The game combines the unfolding story structures commonly found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games, but combines it with the gameplay oftentimes found in survival simulators. You can get a rough rundown of the setup with the story trailer below.

But unlike GSC Game World’s title, the story elements can be uncovered cooperative with up to three other players via the co-op modes in Desolate. You can work together to scavenge for weapons and armor as you attempt to fend yourself off from mutant attackers, and also work up the courage to make your way further inland where the dangers become evermore present.

You can get a look at the combat and general gameplay elements with the launch trailer below.

I don’t know if this game will really be able to stand out among the crowd of all those other Early Access games out there, but now that it’s up and out you can check it out for yourself.

Right now the big thing is Battle Royale… and this is coming off nearly half a decade of a bunch of indie studios pumping out DayZ clones in the survival sub-genre. So Hypetrain Digital could be late to the party on this one, but a lot of it depends on the quality of the gameplay and the immersion levels for the overall playability and atmosphere.

If you’re interested in Desolate, you can visit the Steam store page.