Oozing fiery, retropunk goodness, this survival game's new trailer is so cool I'm not even mad about its delay

I've been looking forward to Into the Fire for quite some time, dazzled by the infernos, stylish visuals, and narrative-driven survival action it's shown off in past trailers. However, today has brought me good news and bad news. On one hand, it won't be hitting early access until next year, despite previous promises of a 2025 launch. However, I haven't got time to be mad, because I find myself staring at a stunning new trailer all over again.

Like a magpie to silverware, I'm a real sucker for a game that nails a retro-futuristic aesthetic. I think Arc Raiders' vibrant but tonally accurate outfits are fabulous. I'm obsessed with the combination of art deco, Old West, and future space in The Outer Worlds. Fallout's gadgets and fuzzy digital displays always put a smile on my face. But one of the most aesthetically pleasing games I've played in the last few years is The Invincible, the Firewatch-esque adventure from Starward Industries. Its next game, though, looks to trump it in the style department. Putting you in the shoes of a retropunk firefighter who drives one of the coolest vehicles I've ever seen, Into the Fire has been on my radar for a while.

Sure, it isn't a sprawling, base-building, creature-taming affair like so many of the best survival games, but there are some elements here that fans of the genre will connect with. As you venture into Dante's Archipelago, an area that's been decimated by a violent, supernatural volcanic eruption, you'll have to watch your temperature and your water supplies as you battle through raging infernos to save trapped survivors.

At The Hub - a safe space away from the intense heat and danger - you'll not only rest up in between rescue missions but also craft new tools and upgrade existing ones. In your arsenal you'll find everything from an axe for carving your way through debris and blocked entrances, to throwable grenades that explode into a foam, and shotguns that fire bursts of water to extinguish flames.

You also navigate the world in what I can only describe as a propeller-driven sledge, which skims over the ash-covered ground. It looks awesome, and is the perfect symbol of Into The Fire's retro style, but I am a bit concerned it's just for show and I won't be able to actually pilot it.

Anyway, the new trailer shows off yet more eyeball-scorching gameplay, but leans a little heavier into the supernatural mysteries that you'll also find in the ruins of Dante's Archipelago. Fire jellyfish? Stone totems? Ghostly figures? Count me in.

While Starward initially aimed to get its new game out in early access by the end of this year, it appears things have slipped a bit. The new trailer confirms that Into the Fire will now launch in 2026.

However, it does also confirm in a press release that it's gearing up for playtests, but these will initially be closed and offered to members of the game's Discord server.

So, I'm going to have to wait a little longer for this one, but I'm glad that more time is being spent on it. While The Invincible looked sensational and told a decent story with a couple of twists, it felt thin in places and didn't hit quite like Firewatch did back in the day. Hopefully, with its second game, Starward can nail the story and style while also providing some deeper, more enjoyable gameplay.