Icarus is a session-based survival game from RocketWerkz (DayZ creator Dean Hall) where players drop from an orbital station onto a terraformed alien planet for timed prospect missions. Each drop is a race against the clock — gather resources, complete objectives, and return to your dropship before the timer expires or lose your character permanently. Between drops, you spend earned currency on Workshop gear that persists across missions. The Open World maps added permanent bases, and the game has evolved significantly since launch with biome additions and talent rework.
Icarus features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Biome | Beginner prospects | Iron, Copper, basic leather/fur, abundant wood and stone | Construction Spec |
| 2 | Arctic Biome | Mid-level prospects (Tier 2-3 gear) | Platinum Ore, Arctic-exclusive fauna drops, high-value Exotics veins | Construction Spec |
| 3 | Desert Biome | Mid to high-level prospects | Titanium, Desert fauna materials, rare mineral veins | Solo Build |
| 4 | Riverlands | Early to mid-level prospects | Gold deposits, fish (reliable food), river fauna drops | Solo Build |
| 5 | Styx Map | All levels (permanent base) | Permanent progression, all biome resources, Open World mission board rewards | Solo Build |
Forest Biome — Starting Area
The most forgiving biome with moderate temperatures, abundant wood, and basic wildlife (deer, rabbits, wolves, bears). Most starter prospects take place here. Resources are plentiful but spread out — iron deposits are common in rock faces and cave entrances.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner prospects |
| Key Rewards | Iron, Copper, basic leather/fur, abundant wood and stone |
| Recommended Build | Construction Spec |
| Key Equipment | Compound Bow |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of prospect missions — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Arctic Biome.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Arctic Biome — Early Game
Freezing temperatures (-30C to -50C) that drain health without Fur Armor and shelter. Blizzards reduce visibility to near zero and cause rapid hypothermia. Rich in Platinum deposits and exotic ice fauna. Bring Oxite for emergency warmth and build Tier 2+ shelter immediately upon landing.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid-level prospects (Tier 2-3 gear) |
| Key Rewards | Platinum Ore, Arctic-exclusive fauna drops, high-value Exotics veins |
| Recommended Build | Construction Spec |
| Key Equipment | Compound Bow |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering orbital station — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Compound Bow if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Desert Biome.
Desert Biome — Mid Game
Extreme heat during the day with cold nights. Sandstorms reduce visibility and damage exposed players. Water is scarce — bring Rain Reservoirs or find oasis points. Rich in Titanium deposits and contains unique desert fauna with valuable drops.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid to high-level prospects |
| Key Rewards | Titanium, Desert fauna materials, rare mineral veins |
| Recommended Build | Solo Build |
| Key Equipment | Compound Bow |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Hunting Rifle becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master talent trees for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Riverlands — Late Game
A temperate biome centered around large river systems. Good for fishing (a reliable food source) and contains alluvial gold deposits. Wildlife is moderate — river predators (crocodile-like fauna) guard water access points. Less extreme weather than Arctic or Desert makes this a comfortable mid-game area.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Early to mid-level prospects |
| Key Rewards | Gold deposits, fish (reliable food), river fauna drops |
| Recommended Build | Solo Build |
| Key Equipment | Hunting Rifle |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Hunting Rifle should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- resource extraction mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Styx Map.
Styx Map — Endgame
An Open World map with no time limit, allowing permanent base construction. Players build persistent outposts with full crafting infrastructure. The Styx map contains all biome types and is the best option for players who dislike the timed prospect system. Mission boards in Styx provide objectives for Exotic currency.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All levels (permanent base) |
| Key Rewards | Permanent progression, all biome resources, Open World mission board rewards |
| Recommended Build | Solo Build |
| Key Equipment | Hunting Rifle |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Combat Medic for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Forest Biome → Arctic Biome → Desert Biome → Riverlands → Styx Map. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Icarus Guides
- Icarus Icarus Overview
- Icarus Best Builds
- Icarus Tier List
- Icarus Walkthrough
- Icarus Beginner's Guide
- Icarus Tips & Tricks
- Icarus Weapons Guide
- Icarus Combat Guide
- Icarus Boss Guide
- Icarus Crafting Guide
- Icarus Classes & Characters
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