Restore life to the oceans in unique reef builder coming to Windows PC next year
Leicester, UK - 28th May 2025
Kasedo Games is thrilled to reveal the latest addition to their strong strategy portfolio with the announcement of Life Below, the innovative sub-aquatic 'reef' builder, scheduled for Windows PC release next year.
Developed by Norwegian studio, Megapop, and written by award winning video game writer Rhianna Pratchett, Life Below delivers a fresh and unique approach to the city building genre. Set in a near-future Earth, where the ocean is no longer what it used to be, the rules have changed — fast. Players will be immersed in a beautiful world, growing their reef, attracting wildlife to increase its biodiversity and evolving entire underwater ecosystems to face a tide of ever-changing challenges in a climate impacted ocean.
Coral is dying and ecosystems are collapsing. The voice of nature tasks the player, as guardian Thalassa, to protect the Heart of the Reef and reignite life in the deep. By channeling its energy and growing new coral structures, she must bring life back to the underwater world before it's too late.
"We are thrilled to be joining forces with Kasedo Games. As fans of IXION, we know Kasedo's background of nurturing innovative titles", said Jørgen Tharaldsen, CEO of Megapop. "We've been incredibly lucky and we're grateful to be supported by our publishing partner Kasedo, as well as Creative Europe, the Norwegian Film Institute and Viken Filmcentre with funding to allow us to make Life Below what we envisaged.
Releasing next year, Life Below has already gained plaudits, gaining an honorable mention in the Unity for Humanity grant awards. The grant recognises games that harness technology to make a social impact to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Life Below also aims to be one of the most accessible city builders ever. The game is being developed in conjunction with consultant Arevya, and the charity SpecialEffect are involved in evaluating accessibility features for the game and advising on how they might be implemented in impactful ways.
Lise Hagen Lie, Game Director said, "We are hoping all players can have fun playing Life Below, in a chill but also strategic setting where you can get quickly into the world but need to think and use every aspect in the reef to reach the goal - a stable reef.
"We want this game to be about hope, about what can be, and about how we're all connected, not doom and gloom. In the real world, life below water is struggling, and a key part of solving that will be for more people to know, care and appreciate problems facing the environment. So while I hope players will find the game a fun and interesting strategic challenge, I also hope that they feel hopeful for the future of life underwater.
Players won't have to wait for long to experience Life Below as a playable demo will be available early next month to coincide with World Ocean Day (8 June), Steam Next Fest (9-16 June).
Features:
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Navigate the push and pull between expansion of the reef and the challenges they will need to grow and evolve new solutions to.
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Seek out new wildlife through the crafting and luring systems, while maintaining habitats and food resources.
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The rules underwater have changed rapidly. Find solutions with the aid of the corals of the reef as well as permanent and visiting wildlife.
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Navigate heatwaves, increased acidity, garbage clouds, jellyfish migrations and other constantly changing hazards.
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See the reef from three perspectives - close to the wildlife, classic top-down and the whole playable map.
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Experience the spectacle of life underwater, collecting species in the collection book as you go.
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Narrative written by award-winning video games writer Rhianna Pratchett.
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One of the most accessible city builders ever. Developed in conjunction with consultant Arevya and the charity Special Effect UK to evaluate accessibility features for the game and how we can implement these in impactful ways.
Life Below is coming to Windows PC in 2026.
Wishlist now via Steam or visit LifeBelow.net for more information.
