Independent developer Muse Games has unveiled its next major title, Stars of Icarus, during the PC Gaming Show 2025. The game is pitched as a spiritual successor to their earlier steampunk-themed Guns of Icarus, aiming to evolve the franchise’s focus on cooperative, team-based combat into the realm of space.
Currently targeting a release on Windows PC via Steam in 2026, Stars of Icarus is a multiplayer spaceship shooter designed around five-versus-five player-versus-player (PvP) skirmishes. Matches will take place on carefully designed maps featuring asteroid fields, derelict space stations and junkyards, all designed to test players’ reflexes, coordination and tactical thinking across three gameplay modes: Team Deathmatch, Bounty, and Capture the Flag.
Much like its predecessor, teamwork is set to remain central to the core gameplay experience. Players will first need to assemble a crew – either of friends or fellow pilots from the online community – before choosing from a range of spaceship classes that vary in size, speed and firepower. Once ready, players can customise their ships, characters and loadouts in the pre-game lobby ahead of 20-minute sessions that prioritise strategic coordination, including repairing systems, breaching enemy defences, and navigating hazards like cosmic fog.
The game will allow players to take on different roles within each match, whether piloting agile fighters, operating weaponry aboard heavy frigates, or maintaining support systems on versatile corvettes. The variety of roles is designed to provide meaningful contributions for every team member and to foster long-term community engagement through alliances and rivalries. Players will be able to participate in both ranked and casual matches. Ranked modes will reward competitive play and offer bragging rights for top performers, while casual servers aim to provide an accessible experience for those looking to play more spontaneously.
Muse Games has confirmed that Stars of Icarus will be a “premium title”, with all core gameplay elements – including ships, weapons and tools – available from launch. Cosmetic customisation will be offered via an in-game store, but will not affect gameplay performance. The developers are positioning this decision as a statement against pay-to-win design, affirming that player skill and teamwork will determine success. Of course, with regards to this, actions speak louder than words.
