Permafrost Review: Is It Worth Buying in Early Access?
Updated 2026-10-14 · Last checked 2026-10-14 · Early Access
Consider buying if you want the currently advertised winter-survival and four-player co-op loop and accept Early Access bugs. Wait if a complete story, reliable controller crafting or official dedicated-server files are essential. This is a documented buying assessment, not a hands-on performance or gameplay review.
No personal playtime, frame-rate test or finished save is claimed. The assessment uses the store FAQ, official known issues and patches, and the Steam reviews API checked on 14 October 2026. With all languages and purchase types included, the API returned 994 positive, 376 negative, 1,370 total: 72.6% positive, Mostly Positive. A filtered store display can differ; these are not this site’s own ratings.
What is already there
The store describes a story-led open world, scavenging, crafting, a shelter network, a dog, and 4-player co-op. The FAQ says several biomes, hundreds of items, blueprints, and side quests are in. The launch discount was $19.99 in the US until 23 October 2026, against a $24.99 list. The same FAQ warns the price is likely to rise.
What the first week exposed
The developer letter on 6 October acknowledges unfinished work. The official known-issues post records FSR crash mitigation on RTX 20, 30, 40 and 50 cards, and controller crafting not working. Those reports are not performance measurements on this site’s hardware. Steam lists partial controller support, not full gamepad functionality.
The 11 October patch fixes Steam invites and several quest cases, but explicitly warns that saves which already collected a glitched Hopes and Dreams recording can remain stuck. More patches do not prove all older saves are repaired. Third-party rented servers are not provided or supported by the developer.
The 7 October roadmap places weapon-parts crafting in Update 2, sledgehammer demolition in Update 3 and White Hell in Update 4. These are planned content, without release dates, not reasons to assume those features are playable now.
Questions
Is Permafrost worth buying?
Worth it for players who want the co-op winter loop now and can tolerate Early Access patches. Not worth it if you need 1.0, consoles, or an official server.
What is the Steam score?
Mostly Positive. All-language, all-purchase-type API snapshot on 14 October 2026: 994 positive and 376 negative, 1,370 total, about 72.6% positive.
Is this a hands-on review?
No. It is a source-based buying assessment. Playtime, combat feel, long-term balance and hardware performance have not been tested by this site.
Related pages
Sources
- Steam store page — Permafrost (app 2254990) — Checked 2026-10-14. Price, platforms, Early Access FAQ, and system requirements.
- Steam reviews API — Checked 2026-10-14. All languages and purchase types: 1,370 reviews, 994 positive, 376 negative (72.6%), Mostly Positive. Live totals can change.
- Developer — Known Issues & Workarounds — Developer-tagged post, edited 11 October; checked 2026-10-14. Iron-pick description, unavailable refined flint sledgehammer, controller crafting and co-op. Newer patch notes take priority.
- Developer — Quest Fixes & Steam Invites, 11 October 2026 — Checked 2026-10-14. Join from the main menu; quest-key replacements and cooking-progress localization. Some previously stuck saves still need a fix.
- Developer — Early Access Roadmap, 7 October 2026 — Official announcement checked 2026-10-14. Update 3 plans sledgehammer demolition; Update 4 plans White Hell. No release dates promised.
- Developer — Rented-server support limitation — Third-party hosts not provided or supported. Checked 2026-10-14.