The survival genre encourages unique gameplay systems, combining light RPG elements with hardcore action. Developer Tiny Indie is set to make its mark on the genre with Drop Point.
Fortunate to see the game in action, here are our initial impressions on Tiny Indie’s upcoming title.
Hydro Powered Outbreak – Premise of Drop Point
Promising to help better the world with eco-friendly resources, the AquaNova company creates jobs and more opportunities for residents of an undisclosed island. Surely, nothing will go wrong, and this company isn’t hiding a dangerous secret.
The secret behind AquaNova’s eco-friendly resources has resulted in zombies overrunning the island, leaving survivors to use whatever resources they find to survive, thrive, and learn more about the outbreak’s origin.
Story Skin Deep
Speaking to the team at Tiny Indie, I asked how this premise ties into the bigger picture. Specifically, the narrative will have a payoff and a more traditional game structure. For the survival genre, the premise is what gets players in the door, and then they make ‘their own stories’, so to speak.
I was assured there would be proper missions and quests for players to undertake.
Survival Evolved – Gameplay Loop
The premise pulled me in, but as someone unfamiliar with the genre, the core gameplay loop sounds exciting. Tiny Indie broke it down into three core pillars: Spawn, Survive, and Thrive.
Entering the Drop Zone – Spawn
When players take control of their survivor, they have little to work with. A single apple, a lone bandage, and a stone knife to work with, players must scavenge the land for resources and find a Safe Zone to craft useful items.
But you don’t just use your resources to build yourself up, you can sell them for cold, hard cash and get better gear/loot.
Call of the Wild – Surviving/Combat
To keep those resources, you need to survive. By building up your defenses, crafting your weapons, and defending yourself from zombies and other survivors alike, a single death can undo all your progress. It mirrors other survival and rogue-lite games, where death means a hard reset on everything.
Thankfully, Tiny Indie accommodates this system for newcomers to the genre. Finding any dropped loot, you can reclaim it before others do.
The gameplay revealed solid shooting mechanics, using a variety of ranged and melee weapons.
The Ultimate Loot – Thriving & The Full Experience
Surviving combat encounters and building yourself up results in the larger game opening up. This was shown to me through gameplay clips, with drivable vehicles, a wide variety of gear to wear, and an impressive-looking dynamic weather system that affects multiple aspects of the gameplay experience.
This side of the game is where its RPG elements were alluded to, with the narrative and quest elements bringing everything together.
Striking Storms – Presentation
Despite Drop Point being in Early Alpha state during my preview session, aspects of the game’s presentation impressed. Specifically, during the nighttime gameplay clips I was shown.
The most impressive-looking gameplay clip was the game’s real-time weather in action. The game uses a variety of weather conditions, including intense heat, rainstorms, and harsh snowstorms. From raindrops hitting the screen in real time or snowfall gradually covering the landscape and leaving marks when players walk or drive across, everything is reactive.
Despite the game’s impressive look during the night, in the day, it can look a tad basic. But as development continues, I’m confident Tiny Indie will flesh out the visual look of the overall island.
The Long Road – Road Map of Drop Point
With the game’s core three pillars cemented and a visual identity largely finalized, Drop Point will release later this year in Early Access. Everything in the preview will be in this release, alongside elements like a multiplayer mode and 33% of the overall map.
In addition, Tiny Indie promised monthly updates and a proper full release in 2026. Drop Point will only be on Steam, with consoles TBD.
Closing Thoughts
I greatly enjoyed being a part of this preview experience. While unfamiliar with the genre, learning about it through Tiny Indie team members passionately talking to me about their title was awesome.
With the potential to be an enjoyable survival title that stands next to others on the market, stay tuned for future updates on Drop Point!
