Explore the galaxy in Beyond These Stars
Beyond These Stars reappeared during the Cozy Quest 2025 presentation with a fresh trailer, an updated demo, and a clearer path to an Early Access launch in 2026. Sci-fi city builder from Horse with a hood and Balancing Monkey Games once again invite players to lead a thriving community across the galaxy on the back of Kev, a gentle space whale carrying an entire civilization across the stars.
The project has grown steadily since its first public demo appeared at the June Next Fest in 2024. Earlier this year, the developers revealed late game features at Gamescom, offering a look at how the adventure expands as players progress. With so many systems being improved in recent months, the team has prepared an updated demo designed to more accurately reflect the gameplay and give players something new to explore while development continues.
The update introduces deeper environmental management through a pollution system in which unmanaged trash creates toxic tiles that can hinder progress. A completely redesigned interface makes the city easier to read at a glance, with clearer overlays and new ways to track resource movement. The developers have rebuilt the tech tree to include a perk system that offers more strategic freedom, and expanded the tutorial and narrative to make the introduction to life aboard the Kev smoother.
The Pips' daily life has also become more dynamic. They now work shifts and are fatigued, a system that encourages careful planning to avoid costly mistakes. The team also overhauled building behavior, including new neighborhood considerations and adjusted operating radii that impact neighborhood development.
With over 170,000 wishlists on Steam, interest in Beyond These Stars continues to grow. The game will be released in early access in 2026 for PC via Steam, GOG and Epic Games Store.
