Raft is one of the most immersive survival games where you begin with nothing but a hook and a small wooden raft drifting in the ocean. Your mission is to survive by gathering resources, expanding your raft into a floating fortress, and exploring islands while facing threats like hunger, thirst, and predators. In this article, we’ll review Raft’s gameplay, features, pros and cons, and why it has become a must-play for survival game fans.
Raft Game Review – Survive, Build, and Explore the Endless Ocean
Introduction
Survival games have grown in popularity over the past decade, but Raft offers a refreshing take by placing players in the middle of an endless ocean. Unlike forest or desert-based survival titles, Raft forces you to adapt to a harsh marine environment where every plank of wood or plastic bottle is crucial for survival. Released in full version after years in Early Access, the game has earned a strong following thanks to its creativity and cooperative multiplayer.
Basic Information
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Game Title: Raft
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Developer: Redbeet Interactive
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Publisher: Axolot Games
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Genre: Open-world survival, crafting, adventure
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Platforms: PC (Windows)
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Mode: Single-player and multiplayer co-op
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Price: Premium one-time purchase
Gameplay Overview
Raft begins with you stranded on a tiny wooden platform in the middle of the sea. Armed only with a plastic hook, your job is to fish debris out of the water—planks, palm leaves, barrels, and scrap metal—which are essential for crafting tools, food, and building materials.
As you gather resources, you can expand your raft, purify water, cook food, and eventually build multiple levels, shelters, and farming areas. Exploration plays a key role, as drifting islands and underwater areas hide rare resources. At the same time, a menacing shark constantly circles your raft, ready to attack if you let your guard down.
The balance between survival management, exploration, and building makes Raft engaging both in solo and cooperative play.
Key Features
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Unique Ocean Survival Setting – A refreshing departure from land-based survival games.
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Crafting System – Build weapons, tools, water purifiers, grills, and advanced equipment.
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Base Building – Expand your raft into a floating home with multiple floors and rooms.
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Exploration – Discover islands, underwater caves, and story-driven destinations.
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Multiplayer Co-op – Play with friends online, sharing resources and responsibilities.
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Story Mode – Follow a narrative through radio signals and abandoned research stations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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Innovative ocean-based survival concept.
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Deep crafting and building mechanics.
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Engaging co-op gameplay with friends.
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Regular updates and strong community support.
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A mix of open-ended sandbox and story-driven objectives.
Cons
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Repetitive resource collection in the early game.
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Solo play can feel more challenging and grind-heavy.
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Limited platform availability (PC only).
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Occasional performance issues on large builds.
Comparison with Other Survival Games
Compared to Subnautica, Raft focuses more on crafting and raft-building, while Subnautica emphasizes deep-sea exploration. Against The Forest, Raft trades land-based combat and horror elements for a calmer but equally intense survival atmosphere. Fans of Minecraft will also appreciate Raft’s sandbox creativity, though with a more realistic survival theme.
This balance makes Raft stand out as one of the most unique survival games available today.
Tips and Tricks for Beginners
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Prioritize building a water purifier and grill early to manage hunger and thirst.
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Use barrels as your main source of food and rare crafting materials.
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Expand your raft strategically to protect important tools from shark attacks.
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Play in multiplayer mode for faster progress and teamwork advantages.
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Save resources for advanced items like nets, sails, and navigational tools.
User Experience and Community Feedback
Raft has built a loyal fan base thanks to its unique mechanics and cooperative features. Players often praise the satisfaction of turning a small raft into a floating fortress. Community-created mods and guides have also enriched the experience. However, some users note that the early game loop can feel repetitive, especially when grinding for resources alone.
FAQs
- Is Raft free to play?
No, Raft is a premium survival game available as a one-time purchase. - Does Raft support multiplayer?
Yes, Raft has online co-op, allowing you to survive and build together with friends. - Can you finish Raft?
Yes, Raft includes a story mode with missions and an ending, though you can keep playing in sandbox mode. - Is Raft similar to Subnautica?
Both games are ocean-themed, but Raft emphasizes raft-building and resource management, while Subnautica focuses on underwater exploration.
Conclusion
Raft is a standout survival game that transforms a simple idea—surviving on a raft in the ocean—into an unforgettable adventure. Its blend of crafting, exploration, and cooperative play ensures hours of entertainment. While not perfect, Raft’s creativity and unique setting make it one of the best survival experiences on PC today.
If you enjoy survival games and want something different from the usual forest or desert environments, Raft is absolutely worth playing.
User Reviews
