Permafrost vs Astroneer: Which Survival Game?
Updated 2026-10-14 · Last checked 2026-10-14 · Early Access
These games share online co-op and a crafting bench. They do not share a threat. Astroneer’s store text is about reshaping alien terrain, bases, and automation. Permafrost’s store text is about cold, hunger, a shattered moon, and a four-player host session in Early Access.
This comparison uses current store records, not personal play sessions. The US snapshot on 14 October 2026 was $29.99 list/$7.49 sale for Astroneer and $24.99 list/$19.99 sale for Permafrost. Astroneer’s store description explicitly states 2–4-player online co-op; reading only the category labels would miss that detail.
Fields both store pages actually fill
Choose Astroneer for terrain sculpting, base automation and a game released outside Early Access. Choose Permafrost for the cold-survival story and dog companion, while accepting current quest and controller-crafting issues. Neither choice is a measured claim about better combat, frame rate or hours of content.
For a mixed-platform group, read Astroneer’s official server guide rather than assuming every console connects to every self-hosted server. It says Xbox/PC crossplay requires a preferred authenticated dedicated server, while PS4 can connect to its dedicated servers. The guide does not establish unrestricted crossplay for all platforms.
| Permafrost | Astroneer | |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | SpaceRocket Games | System Era Softworks |
| Publisher | Toplitz Productions | System Era Softworks |
| Release | 9 Oct 2026, Early Access | 5 Feb 2019 |
| Players | Solo or up to 4 online | Solo or 2–4 online co-op in store description |
| Dedicated server | No official download verified | Official server files and provider guidance |
| Crossplay | Not verified | Official server guide describes supported platform combinations; restrictions apply |
| Controller | Partial | Full controller support |
| Pressure | Warmth, hunger, energy | Not described as a cold meter |
Questions
Is Permafrost like Astroneer?
Only in co-op crafting and base building. Permafrost adds cold survival and a 4-player cap. Astroneer adds terrain sculpting and automation.
Which is cheaper?
On 14 October 2026, Astroneer was $7.49 on a 75% sale and Permafrost was $19.99 on a 20% sale. Those discounts end.
Related pages
Sources
- Steam store page — Permafrost (app 2254990) — Checked 2026-10-14. Price, platforms, Early Access FAQ, and system requirements.
- Steam appdetails — Astroneer — Price, date, categories. Checked 2026-10-14.
- System Era — Astroneer dedicated servers — Official server files and platform-specific crossplay restrictions. Checked 2026-10-14.