Clusternauts

Clusternauts is a cooperative multiplayer space exploration and survival game developed by independent studio Graviton Interactive, released in 2023. The game is set in a procedurally generated galaxy where players assume the roles of astronauts aboard a modular spacecraft. The primary objective involves navigating through asteroid fields, derelict space stations, and planetary systems to collect resources, upgrade the ship, and uncover the remnants of an ancient alien civilization. The game emphasizes teamwork and resource management, as each crew member must fulfill specific roles such as pilot, engineer, or scientist to maintain ship integrity and complete missions. The environment features realistic physics, including zero-gravity movement and orbital mechanics, which affect navigation and combat. The narrative is delivered through environmental storytelling and log entries, with no linear campaign; instead, players define their own objectives through exploration and emergent events. The game supports up to four players in online or local split-screen modes, with a persistent world that saves progress between sessions.

Gameplay and controls are structured around role-based interaction. Each player selects a role at the start of a session, which determines their primary responsibilities and available tools. The pilot controls ship movement using the left analog stick or W, A, S, D keys for thrust in four directions, with the right analog stick or mouse for pitch and yaw. The engineer manages power distribution and repairs by accessing ship terminals with the E key, allocating energy to shields, engines, or weapons via a radial menu. The scientist operates scanning equipment using the Q key to analyze celestial bodies and locate resources, with results displayed on a holographic map. All players share a common inventory accessed via the Tab key, where items such as fuel canisters, repair kits, and alien artifacts are stored. Interaction with objects in the environment is performed by pressing the F key when a prompt appears. Communication is facilitated through a proximity voice chat and a ping system activated by the middle mouse button, which marks points of interest for the crew. The game uses a health and oxygen system; oxygen levels deplete over time and are replenished by returning to the ship’s habitation module. Death results in respawn at the ship’s medical bay, with a penalty of lost non-essential inventory items.