Raft

About Raft

Raft launched on PC in 2022 after years of early access development by Redbeet Interactive. Axolot Games handles publishing across Windows, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. This title fits squarely into the adventure and simulator genres with a heavy focus on survival mechanics. You start with nothing but a small wooden platform and a rusty hook in the middle of an endless ocean. The goal involves gathering floating debris to expand your raft while avoiding sharks that circle below. You can tackle this solo or team up with friends through cooperative multiplayer modes. The game strips away complex UI and forces players to manage basic needs like hunger and thirst against an indifferent sea.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time tossing a hook to snag floating wood, plastic, and metal from the water surface. These materials fuel your raft expansion as you place new planks to create living space. Diving underwater allows you to harvest resources from submerged reefs or explore small islands for better loot. Thirst and hunger bars drop constantly, requiring you to build collectors or farms to stay alive. A shark attacks your raft periodically, forcing you to repair damage or build defenses like nets. Multiplayer sessions often devolve into chaotic resource runs where players split tasks between scavenging, cooking, and combat. The controls feel tight for a survival sim, making the act of building and managing your floating home the central loop.

What Players Think

PlayPile data shows Raft sits at a solid 78.1 out of 100 based on 149 IGDB ratings. Players generally agree this title offers long hours of engagement with an average playtime that exceeds many standard releases. The community tracks 104 total achievements, though only 24.3% unlock on average. That low completion rate highlights the grind involved in mastering the game systems. The rarest achievement is "Expert Anglerfish Hunter!" which only 0.60% of players have unlocked. This stat suggests most users focus on survival and building rather than chasing every single hidden objective. Community moods often reflect satisfaction with the cooperative aspect, though frustration mounts during shark attacks or when resources run dry.

PlayPile's Take

Raft costs a reasonable amount for its scope and offers 104 achievements to chase if you need extra motivation. This title works best for players who enjoy methodical resource management and don't mind repetitive tasks. The low achievement unlock rate indicates deep systems that reward patience over speed. You get value from the multiplayer co-op features, which turn a lonely survival trip into a group project. Avoid this game if you want fast-paced action or complex narrative stories. Stick with it if you enjoy building structures and managing inventory under pressure. The shark mechanics add just enough tension to keep sessions fresh without becoming overwhelming.

Storyline

Trapped on a small raft with nothing but a hook made of old plastic, players awake on a vast, blue ocean totally alone and with no land in sight! With a dry throat and an empty stomach, survival will not be easy! Resources are tough to come by at sea: Players will have to make sure to catch whatever debris floats by using their trusty hook and when possible, scavenge the reefs beneath the waves and the islands above. However, thirst and hunger is not the only danger in the ocean… watch out for the man-eating shark determined to end your voyage!