Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsStranded: Alien Dawn has a favorable critic consensus on PC: Metacritic lists an 81/100 Metascore from 11 critic reviews. Reviewers most often praise its survival pressure and the stories that emerge from colony decisions; the main reservation is that scenarios, combat, and day-to-day activities can feel limited in variety.
What is the Metacritic score for Stranded: Alien Dawn?
Metacritic lists an 81/100 PC Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” based on 11 critic reviews: nine positive, two mixed, and none negative. This is an aggregate of the reviews represented on the page, not a single critic’s rating or a guarantee that every player will agree. The score and review count are the figures displayed in 2026. Metacritic’s PC critic reviews
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
The Function | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
|
BLAZE (2023) | $2.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Fotorama Discontinued Alien Vision Game for 72 months to 180 monthsDark Green | Buy on Amazon |
What do critics like about the game?
The strongest shared positive is how the survival-management systems produce unscripted stories. Players manage a stranded group, build a base, gather food and resources, research technology, and respond to weather, illness, and alien threats. Those pressures make choices consequential: a setback or rescue can become a memorable colony episode rather than just another task in a checklist.
GamingTrend’s May 8, 2023 review (88/100) praised choices with lasting impact and replayable campaign length. PC Gamer’s April 25, 2023 review (86/100) highlighted tales of triumph, disaster, and rescue. God is a Geek’s May 12, 2023 review (85/100) praised the way the game combines familiar simulation influences into a rewarding experience. These scores and excerpts are listed by Metacritic.
#1 Best Overall
What are the main criticisms?
The recurring caveat is variety. The colony loop can be compelling while the range of situations and activities feels narrower than some players want.
- Combat and everyday play: GameStar’s May 31, 2023 review (79/100) called the game a delightful 3D take on the colony-simulation formula, but wanted more variety in combat and ordinary routines.
- Options for genre veterans: CGMagazine’s April 28, 2023 review (80/100) found it welcoming to newcomers while noting that experienced players may want more crafting, character-generation, and random-event options.
These are recurring concerns in the cited excerpts, not a unanimous verdict from all reviewers.
Rank #2
Is Stranded: Alien Dawn worth playing?
The critic consensus suggests it is a strong fit if you enjoy survival management and emergent colony stories, and are happy to let repeated systems generate variety through your own decisions. It may be a less satisfying choice if you prioritize a large range of scenarios, combat encounters, crafting choices, or character customization. In short, the question is less whether the core loop works—critics generally think it does—than whether its breadth will hold your interest.
Do critic and player scores agree?
They point in different directions and should not be treated as directly comparable ratings. Metacritic displays a 7.4 user score from 33 ratings in 2026. Steam displays 82% positive from 5,682 English-language reviews, alongside 40% positive among 179 reviews from the previous 30 days, also as displayed in 2026. The platforms use different rating systems, sample sizes, and time windows; Steam’s recent figure is especially time-sensitive. Metacritic user reviews · Steam listing and reviews
Rank #3
- Wear the special goggles to reveal the alien enemy
- Shooting the aliens will neutralize the enemy threat. Your score will be displayed on the digital screen on the blaster
- The special goggles are adjustable to fit any child or adult
How do platform and edition affect the review picture?
The 81 score above is specifically for PC; it should not be read as a score shared by every edition. Metacritic also lists PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PS4. Its PS5 listing shows three critic reviews, a much smaller surfaced sample; the excerpts include criticism of controller implementation and console UI needs, as well as concerns about limited thematic variety. The available evidence does not establish a complete current critic aggregate for every console platform. Metacritic’s PS5 critic reviews
The game initially released on April 25, 2023, according to Metacritic; Steam gives April 25, 2023 as the full release date and October 12, 2022 as the start of Early Access. Steam identifies Haemimont Games as developer and Paradox Interactive as publisher. Its PC listing includes single-player play and Workshop support, as well as DLC and an official soundtrack. Metacritic game listing · Steam store page
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
