New Survival Sci-Fi game on Steam has you protect a chicken, fight an evil corporation and manage your crew

The year is still very young, but Steam already has several releases planned for the first half of 2026 that look pretty impressive. Beyond just the first half, there are plenty of AAA heavy hitters on the horizon this year. GTA 6, Marvel's Wolverineand Resident Evil: Requiem are just some of the big ones on the way. When it comes to solid indies, however, Steam is the place to look. One of the best looking games about to be released isn't even a new IP. It's a sequel. Breathing 2 combines The outer worlds' humor with elements of No Man's Sky and subnautica, mix them into an epic and cheeky adventure led by its heroic returning protagonist: the man.

The first one Breathedge came out in 2021, and the second chapter continues the man's perilous journey through space as he tries to destroy the titular enemy, the Breathedge Corporation. BreathedgeThe story opens with the man simply trying to scatter his dead grandfather's ashes. This turns out to be easier said than done as he ends up being drawn into a massive galactic conspiracy with an immortal chicken as his companion. Breathedge combined a strong story with fun gameplay and challenge, something that only the best sci-fi survival games can successfully mix. Breathedge succeeded in this, and its upcoming sequel seeks to upgrade and fine-tune the mechanics and features that made its first chapter so enjoyable.

Features of Breathedge 2

The immortal chicken returns.
A retro-futuristic atmosphere
Multiple zones and star systems to explore for resources
Customizable ships
Survival and resource management
Land and air vehicles
Crew and ship management

Every corner of Breathedge 2's galaxy is filled with surprises that can kill you

One of the most important parts of Breathedge managed man's resources for craft. Breathing 2 brings back this core mechanic, and there are brand new zones to explore throughout the galaxy to retrieve these resources. Each region of the galaxy will have its own unique resources specific to that area, so it's important to keep track of which locations are best for certain items and tools. On top of that, there are tons of unique enemies waiting to swoop in and end the man's journey, all of which combine in absurd, fun ways. Among all the great survival games on Steam, that's really what sets it apart: how Breathing 2 embraces the absurd in survival situations. Throughout the game, strong humor serves as a reminder of the ridiculous situation the man finds himself in.

Breathing 2 expected to launch sometime in the first quarter of 2026.

Quippy humor isn't for everyone, though Breathedge and Breathing 2 use it as a way to add an extra dose of fun. Survival games can be stressful. When your main companion is an immortal talking chicken who always has something off-beat to say, it makes it less upsetting, though. Breathing 2 can be a good choice for those who are hungry for more games like The Outer Worlds 2. Breathing 2 is definitely not an RPG, but its humor will likely resonate with fans of the series.

Customize the man's ship and make sure the crew doesn't die…or get lazy

Since this is a survival game, one of the most important things to keep an eye on is maintaining the crew that the man builds along the way. Breathing 2 make it clear that if the players relax their duties, so will the crew. Crew members enter Breathing 2 needs a decent amount of attention to do that job. They are not static automatons, which adds an extra challenge to the management mechanics.

Some of the best Steam games in recent years have been indie projects that revolve around survival and management of some sort. Breathing 2 may not be of the same caliber as The forest series when it comes to these types of mechanics, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Between the sci-fi adventure that requires players to search the galaxy for resources and manage a picky team, it still promises a solid challenge.

A custom ship offers the crew their own special home in space

From engine upgrades to customizable compartments, Breathing 2 gives players a way to make the man's ship their own. Breathing 2 may not go as far as other space adventures Starfields shipbuilding mechanics, but it's a solid way to create a unique space for the man and his crew. Beyond the main ship, vehicles will be very important in Breathing 2. They were in the first game, but the sequel could kick it up a notch. Players will use a variety of vehicles to traverse planets and space, making getting from point A to point B much more satisfying.

Right now, it's unclear how creative players can get with their custom ships. The first game allowed a decent amount of freedom to decorate and customize, so Breathing 2 hopefully will follow. Builds in Breathedge was an important mechanic, and it will be interesting to see how its sequel tweaks this specific mechanic.

Breathedge 2 promises a witty space adventure built around destroying a corrupt corporation

An evil mega-corporation is at the center of Breathing 2s story. The Outer Worlds 2 and its predecessor is based on satirizing corporate overlords, so it will definitely feel familiar to some. From Cyberpunk 2077 to Fall-outpointing fingers at unregulated companies has continued to be a staple in gaming. That is, those who are hungry for more The Outer Worlds 2s humor or a survival game that Subnautica or No Man's Sky can have the perfect new game in Breathing 2.

Breathing 2The Steam page makes it clear that the game wants to balance silly humor with classic survival. It's a fun mix, and it does Breathing 2 worth checking out when it finally launches. There are many underrated sci-fi games out there, and Breathedge is one of them. What does Breathing 2What makes the sequel's status even better is that it means those interested can jump into the first game while they wait for launch. It's a double dose of crazy space survival that could be one of this year's hidden gems.