HAEX Is a New Co-Op Survival Shooter Set in an Alien Scarred Nordic Wilderness
One of the more intriguing new announcements from Summer Game Fest 2026 was HAEX, a survival focused first person shooter that combines a harsh Nordic wilderness with mysterious alien phenomena. Developed and published by Dead Astronauts, the game marks the debut project from a Sweden-based studio formed by developers with experience at companies such as Epic Games and Massive Entertainment.
The story begins after a helicopter crash in the sub-arctic north. Players awaken to find themselves stranded in a wilderness that has been transformed by a mysterious anomaly. As members of a scientific expedition sent to investigate the phenomenon, players soon discover that several members of the team have disappeared. Their mission becomes not only understanding the source of the anomaly, but also uncovering what happened to the missing expedition crew.
The environment itself appears to be one of the game's defining features. Official descriptions refer to an alien scarred wilderness covered by a strange paranormal mist. Looming over the landscape is a massive monolith connected to the anomaly, creating a constant sense of mystery as players venture deeper into the region.
Survival Against More Than Aliens
Players can tackle the adventure alone or alongside up to three friends in cooperative multiplayer. According to information released following the announcement, the game supports solo play as well as four-player cooperative exploration and survival.
The wilderness presents numerous dangers. Temperature management, hunger, resource gathering, and environmental hazards all play a role in keeping players alive. Managing supplies appears to be just as important as defending against the alien threats roaming the region.
An unusual feature is a sentient cube that accompanies players throughout their journey. According to information shared after the reveal, this device can scan the environment, assist with gathering resources, and be upgraded over time. Further upgrades eventually unlock alien inspired abilities that expand what players can do while exploring the world.
A Promising Debut for Dead Astronauts
HAEX arrives at a time when cooperative survival games remain extremely popular, but Dead Astronauts appears to be trying to distinguish itself through its setting and atmosphere. Rather than relying on familiar post-apocalyptic landscapes or fantasy worlds, the game combines Nordic wilderness survival with science fiction mysteries and paranormal elements.
The developers have also confirmed that the world is procedurally generated, allowing players to explore different environments while maintaining character progression across sessions. Equipment and progression remain tied to characters rather than individual worlds, making it easier to join friends without starting over.
While there is still much to learn about HAEX, the game's first reveal has already established its core identity: a cooperative survival shooter where players must investigate an unexplained anomaly, survive an unforgiving wilderness, and confront alien threats hidden within the mist. With a 2027 launch planned, HAEX is quickly becoming one of the more interesting new survival projects currently on the horizon.
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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 7:40 AM.