Code provided with many thanks to Plan of Attack.
Lysward – Back Into The Desert
I covered Lysward not too long ago during an earlier preview build, but the game has now returned with a brand new public demo available for everyone to try. That alone felt like a good excuse to jump back into its sun-blasted world and see how things are shaping up. The short version? Lysward is still a survival game worth keeping an eye on.
For those unfamiliar, the game places you in a vast desert wasteland where the sun never stops blazing. It’s a harsh place to survive, but also an intriguing one. Instead of the usual forests and beaches found in many survival games, Lysward leans heavily into its desert setting, building its entire gameplay around heat, sunlight and the struggle to stay alive.
You step into the bare feet of Kieran, a fugitive who has escaped captivity only to end up stranded in this unforgiving environment. Early on, you discover a small oasis, which becomes your main safe space. It’s not exactly thriving when you arrive, but with some effort, it can slowly be restored.
Helping you along the way is Gjorna, a rather memorable pig-like companion who offers guidance, research help and the occasional bit of advice.
Rebuilding A Small Oasis
The early part of the demo focuses on bringing life back to the oasis. Like many survival games, you’ll spend far too much time gathering resources, crafting useful items and trying to keep yourself alive while exploring the nearby desert. Hunger and thirst meters constantly need attention, which means you’re always thinking about your next meal or drink.
One small survival trick I still enjoy involves cooking food using the desert itself. Rather than needing a stove or fire, you can simply toss ingredients into the direct sunlight and let nature handle the cooking.
Water management is also handled in an interesting way early on. One of the first reliable methods I found involved using a sponge. Toss it into a water source, wait for it to absorb the liquid, then drink directly from it. It’s simple, safer than drinking directly from the dirty source, but it works.
The Sun Is Both Friend And Enemy
The environment itself remains the most interesting part of Lysward. The sun is constantly present and plays a major role in everything you do. On one hand, it allows you to cook food or recharge your energy. On the other hand, spending too long under its rays can quickly lead to trouble.
Exploring the desert becomes a balancing act. Shade is valuable, and planning your routes between safe areas becomes important if you want to avoid overheating. This system gives Lysward a unique rhythm compared to many other survival games. Instead of simply wandering wherever you like, every trip into the wasteland feels a bit like a calculated risk.
Magic Instead Of Tools
Another feature that helps Lysward stand out is its use of Amri magic. Rather than relying on traditional tools, Kieran gains magical abilities that help him interact with the world. One of the earliest powers lets you shatter rocks from a distance, effectively replacing the need for a mining tool. It can also be used on the local wildlife to convert them to useful resources, shall we say.
There’s also plenty of crafting to dive into. Many recipes are unlocked through research conducted by Gjorna, giving you a steady sense of progression as you gather more materials. You can also zip around in a vehicle after some progression.
Some Rough Edges In The Demo
While Lysward continues to impress in many ways, this new demo also highlighted a few areas that could use a little tuning. The first thing I noticed was how quickly the hunger and thirst meters seemed to drain. Survival games often push players to manage these needs, but here it sometimes felt a little too aggressive. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t explore very far before needing to stop and eat or drink again. It would be nice if the final game offered an option to slow those meters down.
Another issue I ran into was navigation. The game encourages exploration, which I usually enjoy, finding ruins and the odd pore note is great, but there were times where I genuinely struggled to figure out where I should head next. A subtle hint system or optional guidance marker might help players who prefer a bit more direction.
The Great Scorpion Incident
One addition that definitely caught my attention in the demo was scorpions. Lots of scorpions. In fact, during one early section, it genuinely felt like the ground was crawling with them. I counted what seemed like a small swarm all appearing at once, which made the opening area surprisingly brutal.
Now, to be fair, this is a desert. Scorpions probably belong there. But the sheer number of them made me wonder if something had gone a bit overboard in that particular area. Maybe that will be adjusted later, or maybe the desert really is just that dangerous. Here’s hoping they are toned down.
Still A World Worth Exploring
Even with those small frustrations, I still came away from the demo feeling positive about Lysward. The setting remains one of its strongest features. Desert environments can sometimes feel empty in games, but here everything feels thoughtfully designed. Strange creatures roam the dunes, ruins hint at lost history, and the oasis slowly becomes a place full of life.
The survival systems, magic abilities and crafting mechanics all work together to create a world that feels a little different from the usual genre entries.
More importantly, the demo shows that development is still moving forward. New locations, enemies and systems are clearly being added as the game continues to evolve.
Final Thoughts
Lysward’s new demo is well worth checking out if you enjoy survival games with unusual settings. There are still a few areas that might benefit from balancing or clearer direction, but the core ideas remain strong. A survival adventure built around the power and danger of the sun is a refreshing change from the usual forests and islands.
For now, the demo offers a solid glimpse into what the full game could become. If nothing else, it’s a chance to wander into a scorching desert, cook food in the sunlight and try not to get chased by an army of scorpions. And honestly, that alone makes it worth a look.
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