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| Flotsam is 50% off on Steam until December 18. |
The world is submerged, civilization is a memory, and the only thing more vast than the ocean is the garbage floating in it. This is the unexpectedly cheerful premise of Flotsam, a unique city-builder and survival sim that has officially sailed out of Early Access. For the first time ever, the game is available at a 50% discount on Steam, making it the perfect moment to set sail.
In Flotsam, you don’t just build on land—you build from the sea. As the leader of a group of scrappy survivors known as drifters, your task is to construct a thriving floating town from wood, scrap, plastic, and whatever flotsam you can dredge up. But this is more than just stacking trash. You’ll need to master complex production chains to secure clean drinking water, generate power through ingenious means (like eel farms!), and keep your community healthy against threats like disease and storms. It’s a blend of serene building and tense survival that fans of games like Frostpunk will recognize, albeit with a much sunnier disposition.
Explore a Watery World from Your Moving City
What truly sets Flotsam apart is its sense of adventure. Your entire city is a mobile flotilla. You can raise sails and navigate the procedurally generated world map, discovering new islands, exploring submerged ruins for precious blueprints, and rescuing other drifters with unique skills. Each character you save has distinct traits and professions—a Chemist is vital for advanced water purification, while a Farmer can revolutionize your food supply. This exploration loop constantly introduces new mechanics and story-driven areas, giving purpose to your journey beyond mere hoarding.
Ready to start your own oceanic odyssey? Flotsam is 50% off on Steam for a limited time. Check out the deal and see the user reviews for yourself here.
Charming Aesthetic Meets Deep Management
Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, Flotsam is a joy to behold. Its colorful, cartoon-style art and a calm, cozy soundtrack create a surprisingly upbeat and relaxed atmosphere. This "DIY on the high seas" aesthetic has won over players on Steam, who frequently praise the game as a perfect title for stress-free, engaging sessions. The laid-back pacing allows you to manage your floating empire at your own speed.
However, the voyage hasn’t been completely smooth. During its Early Access period, some players critiqued the slow pace of updates and felt the core content could feel limited over time. Others reported occasional technical bugs like frozen UI elements or performance hiccups. Despite these criticisms, the game maintains a solid 77% positive rating on Steam from over 3,000 reviews. As Steam user Molly succinctly put it, it’s a “Great Fun Survival Builder Game.”
A Launch Discount and Perfect for Portable Play
Flotsam, developed by Pajama Llama Games and published by Stray Fawn Publishing, fully launched on December 4. Normally priced around $25, the game is now just under $12.50 thanks to its 50% launch discount—its lowest historical price, according to price-tracking site SteamDB. This sale is a fantastic entry point for new captains and runs until December 18.
For those who prefer gaming on the go, Flotsam is also officially "Verified" for the Steam Deck. This means it runs flawlessly on Valve’s handheld, letting you build and explore from anywhere. If you're looking to grab a Deck for portable play, you can find it available on Amazon. With its charming world, deep survival mechanics, and newfound polish, Flotsam offers a uniquely peaceful yet engaging builder experience that’s well worth diving into at this new, lower price.
