Well, this is a nice drop today that might have flown a little under the radar amidst the other gaming news. EP Games, a Spanish studio, has just launched their survival narrative game, Oppidum, and it’s available right now on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
But here’s the really good bit: it boasts full cross-play with players on Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. So, gathering your ragtag group of friends for some survival shenanigans just got a whole lot easier, no matter what box (or PC) they’re playing on.
So, what exactly is Oppidum? The premise is straight out of a fantasy epic: a prophecy, a once-beautiful island named Insule corrupted by some dark force, and you (and your friends, hopefully) are the last hope to save it. It’s a survival game at its heart, meaning you’ll be doing the usual – building a camp, scrambling for resources, crafting gear, and trying not to get eaten by whatever the corruption has turned the local wildlife into.
The narrative side promises over 50 hours of content, letting you dive deep into the island’s mysteries. Or, if you’re less about the lore and more about the looting, you can apparently jump straight into the action with quest markers guiding the way.
Where Oppidum seems to really lean in is the co-op. While you can brave the corrupted lands alone, the game is built for 1 to 4 players. You’ll need to work together to build your safe haven, gather supplies, and face the dangers lurking in the swamps, forests, and caves. The cross-play means you can team up with friends regardless of their platform preference, and the game even lets new members join an existing session and pick up the story from where the group is.
Beyond the core survival loop, you’ll be crafting tools, upgrading weapons, constructing buildings (you can even tend crops and animals!), and cooking meals back at your camp. You’ll unlock new blueprints to make your base feel more like a proper home in the wilderness. The island’s creatures aren’t all hostile, either – you might be able to learn from some, but you’ll definitely need to arm yourself and defend against others. Seeking guidance from “Protectors” is also part of the quest to save the world.
Oppidum also seems keen on letting you play your way, offering different game modes from a relaxed, no-death experience to a tougher Hardcore setting. There are also accessibility options like adjustable damage multipliers and tool durability, plus character customization so you can look your best while fighting for survival.
Overall, Oppidum looks like a promising co-op survival game with a strong fantasy bent and a genuinely impressive cross-play feature right out of the gate. If you’re looking for a new world to explore and save with friends across different platforms, starting today on Xbox, this might be one to check out.
