This Zen-Like Penguin-Helping Sim with “Very Positive” User Reviews Has Just Gone into Steam Early Access

ArtDock is a publisher and developer best known for casual, action-packed titles SOS OPS! and Last Hope Bunker: Zombie Survival. 

Penguin Helper looks like a bit of a departure. Available now in Early Access, this latest title from the prolific Eastern European indie studio trades in the usual diet of guns and grenades for, well, penguins. Just penguins. 

The goal in Penguin Helper is, as you might have guessed, to help penguins. The action takes place at the South Pole, a sparse but beautiful landscape of glistening snow, bare trees, jagged icebergs, and the spellbinding Southern Lights. 

Plus, lots and lots of penguins. 

It’s a tranquil and meditative scene except for one detail: every time a plane flies overhead, these penguins crane their necks up upwards, overbalance, and fall onto their backs. They remain stricken in that position until you pick them up. 

Penguin Helper is a unique proposition: a highly atmospheric experience in which there’s nothing to do—aside from propping up the odd penguin—but enjoy the scenery and the soothing sounds of footsteps on snow, flightless bird calls, and the odd faraway jet engine. 

It’s a pretty odd concept, sure, but a winning one. Released with almost no fanfare, Penguin Helper has managed to rack up an impressive 97% positive reviews on Steam, placing it firmly in the coveted “very positive” bracket. 

ArtDock has something special on its hands, and it’s recruiting players to help steer the game through its next development steps. 

While there’s already a narrative to follow, the development team plans to add extra characters and maps, clothing changes, multiplayer, and a host of other gameplay features.

The final version of Penguin Helper could feature predators, penguin snowball fights, and more. 

We’re not sure when the full version of Penguin Helper will be out (and nor is ArtDock), but you can pick up the Early Access version for an absolute steal on Steam right now.