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| Nighthold: Number 1 boasts a fully destructible environment, which can be used by the player to their advantage. Pictured - an ingame screenshot with an ongoing battle between the player and raiders. |
If you're searching for a new survival game with a unique twist, your search might be over. Nighthold: Number 1, a free-to-play base-builder that launched on Steam on December 11, 2025, is quickly building a positive reputation among early players . Set on a hostile alien world, the game mixes exploration and construction with intense nightly defense against a mysterious, encroaching threat.
On Steam, the game has earned an overall "Very Positive" rating based on 85 user reviews, indicating a strong initial reception . It's being presented as the first mission in a larger "Nighthold" universe, serving as a free entry point before the release of a related premium title .
Welcome to Sandrax-66b
You begin the game as a colonist for the tongue-in-cheek Cosmos Colonisation Corp™, crash-landed on the dusty, harsh planet of Sandrax-66b. Your directive is to investigate the wreckage of your corporate starship, salvage what you can, and survive . The planet is filled with anomalies to explore, from mysterious signals to melted doors in the middle of the desert—all framed with the corporation's darkly humorous assurance that they are, "of course, safe!" .
The core loop is defined by a stark day-night cycle. Daylight hours are for scavenging resources, building shelters, and upgrading your gear. When the sun sets, the pacing shifts entirely to survival, as a hostile force known only as "the Rot" emerges to attack your position . This forces you into critical decisions: do you fortify your current base, or abandon it for a more defensible location?
A World You Can (and Must) Destroy
The game's standout mechanical feature is its fully destructible environment. You're not just building structures; you can tear down almost anything you see, repurpose debris, and reshape the landscape to create new defensive chokepoints . This "total freedom of action," as described on the Steam page, encourages constant experimentation and tactical thinking . Your survival depends on how well you use this system to build walls, traps, and infrastructure that can withstand the nightly onslaught of the Rot and other threats like raiders .
What Players Are Saying: "Chilled Yet Stressful"
Early community feedback highlights the game's intense atmosphere and satisfying challenge, though it notes a steep learning curve.
- The Good: Players praise the palpable tension the game creates. One reviewer specifically called out the excellent atmosphere at night, with fog, fire, strange sounds, and creepy enemies coming together for "tension without relying on cheap jumpscares" . The core loop of gathering by day and defending by night is frequently compared to popular titles like Don't Starve and 7 Days to Die .
- The Challenges: New players report significant difficulty spikes. Common early frustrations include enemies like sand monsters that feel "unavoidable" when under-geared, scarce resources (especially dry wood), and a lack of guidance on crafting essential items like rope . Some interface quirks, such as manually closing loot menus for empty containers, have also been noted .
Despite these hurdles, the consensus is one of optimistic challenge. Many describe the experience as "chilled yet stressful," a compelling mix that has captured their interest .
System Requirements and How to Play
Nighthold: Number 1 is modest in its system demands, making it accessible to a wide range of PC gamers .
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel i3-4130 / AMD Ryzen 3 2200U | Intel i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 7 2700 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 (6 GB) | GeForce GTX 2060 / Radeon RX 580 (8 GB) |
| Storage | 5 GB available space | 5 GB available space |
You can find the game for free on its Steam store page: Nighthold: Number 1 on Steam .
For data enthusiasts curious about player counts and historical stats, SteamDB also has a page tracking the game .
Gear Up for Survival
While the game is free, having the right gear can enhance the experience. For players looking for a responsive, budget-friendly controller for long building and defense sessions, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is a standout option.
Tech reviewers highlight its premium feel at a non-premium price, featuring Hall effect joysticks and triggers that are resistant to wear and drift—a common issue with cheaper controllers . It boasts a very responsive 1000 Hz polling rate on its 2.4G wireless connection for minimal input lag, and its buttons are consistently praised for their satisfying, clicky feel .
The main considerations are its slim, Switch Pro-style design, which may not be as comfortable for everyone as a bulkier Xbox-style pad, and its limited official Bluetooth support (it's officially for Android, with mixed results on PC) . However, for a reliable wireless controller under $30 that excels with modern games, it's hard to beat .
You can check the latest price and color options for the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C on Amazon: 8BitDo Ultimate 2C on Amazon .
Final Verdict: A Promising Free Entry to a New Universe
Nighthold: Number 1 is more than just another free Steam game. It’s a confident and atmospheric prologue that successfully builds tension through its day-night cycle and empowers players with creative freedom through full environmental destruction. While its early difficulty can be punishing, the "Very Positive" Steam reviews suggest that for fans of the survival genre, the challenge is part of the appeal.
As a free introduction to a planned larger universe, it offers substantial value and a compelling reason to keep an eye on the future of the Nighthold franchise.