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Pakicetus

Pakicetus is a deep-sea rogue-lite exploration game. As captain of the Salvation, you must balance resource collection, system upgrades, and a dwindling food supply as you battle against an unknown enemy bent on stopping your search for a new home.

Steam Page
Developer
Polymorphic Games
Publisher
University of Idaho, Polymorphic Games
Release
August 7, 2020
5 years and 360 days ago
Steam Reviews
Mixed19 reviews57.9%

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Updated: Jul 14, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
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Search Google: Is Pakicetus self-published or published by University of Idaho and Polymorphic Games?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
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Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Pakicetus and Polymorphic Games?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 14, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
The title released with a separate publisher relationship.

Media

6 items

About the Game

Developed by students at University of Idaho.
Development was affected by COVID-19.

DESCRIPTION

Three hundred years ago, the carelessness of old-world society led to catastrophic environmental ruin. Fearful for humanity’s survival, a small group of scientists calling themselves the Pakicetus retreated to the bottom of the ocean and established your home, Bastion. However, the halls of Bastion have become crowded and resources are running low, threatening the entire colony’s survival.

You have been selected to locate a safe site and build a second home for the “The Pak”. Take command and captain a 60-man submersible, Salvation, as you explore the abyss while gathering resources along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Environmental events, mutant fish, and an unknown enemy are the only things separating your ship and crew from a new colony and saving your home.

EXPLORE

Explore realistic mid-ocean ridge segments while hunting for food for your crew and resources to fuel upgrades and research. Use the ship’s database of geologic knowledge to master gameplay and improve resource management. Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the deep; they are few and far between.

COLLECT RESOURCES

Find and gather the elements you need to maintain and upgrade your ship. Collect serpentinite and basalt rocks off the seafloor and filter the hot water plumes of hydrothermal vents. Keep an eye out for geologic events such as earthquakes that could point you toward richer resources waiting to be harvested.

RESEARCH AND UPGRADE

Decide what technologies to research and systems to upgrade – everything takes resources and the clock is ticking. Do you force your way through via sophisticated weapons systems, or avoid dangers by amplifying engines and expanding your fleet of resource gathering bots? What strategy will you employ?

STORY

Your crew was born here in the deep. Only myths of the old world exist. Learn about why humanity retreated to the ocean floor and how they use resources there through your crew and the ship’s database in this short campaign.

SCIENCE

Enjoy a window into marine geology of the deep-sea. In game geologic events, seafloor shape, and the resources you gather are all based on scientific data. What would you expect form a game funded by the United States National Science Foundation?
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