Close search results
Close search results
×
Play YouTube video
×
Please enter a valid email address
Please choose a platform
How young was your child when they first played this?
:
 
How does your child play this? Alone, with friends, with family? How did they discover it and what kept them coming back for more?
:   :
 
To verify your input please enter your email to create an account.
Email:

Play OverviewPlay Overview

The Pale Beyond (2023) is a narrative simulation game where you captain an exploration ship stranded in the frozen Antarctic waters. You carefully manage and gather resources and keep your crew in good health to hopefully survive until the summer. It stands out not only for the tactical survival but the depth of the interaction between you and your crew, where loyalty has to be earned and your chances of success rely on keeping spirits strong as much as on physical endurance.

You play an explorer who's second-in-command on a steamboat expedition to discover a lost ship at the south pole. However, you get stuck in the grinding ice and the captain disappears so must take command and help your crew work together to survive until the summer melts the ice and you can escape.

The turn-based game is split into weeks and seasons. Each week you manage the ship's dwindling resources, allocate rations to the crew, and task individuals with missions such as hunting animals for food or gathering valuable materials like coal. At the same time, you must ensure that the crew's morale and loyalty are kept high. Fail to do so and they might find a new leader or splinter off into different factions, spelling disaster for all. Some decisions, like settling arguments and fights or giving a character extra food, can cause disproportionate consequences, so careful decisions are essential.

The result is a unique game where your actions and decisions are placed at the forefront, with every choice having far-reaching consequences. Success is both complex and rewarding as you witness the story unfolding in unique and unexpected ways.

Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked The Pale Beyond 11 months ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 5 months ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to The Pale Beyond. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Narrative, Simulation and Strategy game with Adventure and Communication elements. This is a single-player game.

 
You can play this game in the following styles:

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 7 and a half hours and 15 hours to complete. Depending on your choices, the way the story unfolds changes, potentially leading to failure and the need to retry. To see every ending and twist in the story would take many tens of hours.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

PEGI 12 for Mild Swearing/Bad Language (the text conversations contain a number of uses of ‘bloody’, ‘*!@?*’ and ‘*!@?*’).

The game was originally rated PEGI 18 for Extreme Violence, when the developer completed the IARC questionnaire. On closer inspection by the Games Rating Authority, the rating was adjusted to PEGI 12.

The nature of the gameplay involves hunting, catching and eating animals. There are themes of isolation and being alone in a barren wasteland. The crew are lost to despair and mental health issues as well as starvation. Some songs and dialogue have mature words like "arse"

Skill Level

11+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. The dilemmas you face, both ethical and practical, have far-reaching repercussions, and understanding and staying on top of everything you need to do can be challenging. You need to think ahead with your decisions and be happy if things don't go as you planned. If you have an interest in the history and geography of polar explorers this is a good game for you.

CostsCosts

The Pale Beyond usually costs £16.75.
 

The Pale Beyond

Steam Store PC £16.75
Switch Store Switch £16.75
Steam Store Mac £16.75
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 24/02/2023

Out Now: Mac, PC and Switch

Skill Rating: 11+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Narrative, Simulation, Strategy (Adventure and Communication)

Accessibility: 17 features

Components: 2D Overhead, 2D Side-On and Day and Night

Developer: Bellular Studios (@BellularStudios)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Subscribe
Carina Initiatives
PlayStation
HSBC
GameOpedia
Xbox
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Discord
Contact Us
About