Everything you need to know about Sandustry on Steam — release date, price, system requirements, reviews, Early Access details, and how to get started with the game.

Sandustry Steam: Complete Guide to Buying, Playing & System Requirements

Sandustry is available on Steam as an Early Access title, released on August 13, 2026. Developed by solo indie developer Lantto Games and published by Hooded Horse, the game has earned an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating from over 2,095 English reviews. If you're looking to buy Sandustry on Steam, this page covers everything you need — from system requirements and pricing to what's included in Early Access and how to get the most out of your purchase.

What Is Sandustry on Steam?

Sandustry is a 2D pixel-art factory automation game where every pixel is a resource waiting to be mined, mixed, processed, or destroyed. The game blends the automation depth of Factorio with the explorative charm of Terraria, set in a fully destructible open world. Players delve deep to uncover an ancient civilization's powerful secrets while building increasingly complex production chains.

The Steam store page lists Sandustry under the Simulation and Strategy genres, with popular user-defined tags including Sandbox, Crafting, Automation, Building, and Open World. It is part of the Hooded Horse publisher franchise, known for curating high-quality indie strategy and simulation titles.

Release Date and Early Access Status

Sandustry launched in Early Access on Steam on August 13, 2026. The Early Access release date and the full listing date are the same — August 13, 2026 — meaning the game entered Early Access on its initial Steam launch day. As an Early Access title, the game is still actively being developed, with regular updates adding new features, fixing bugs, and improving stability.

The developer, Lantto Games, has been transparent about the development process. Update notes are posted directly on the Steam news page, and the developer actively engages with the community through Discord, Twitter, Bluesky, YouTube, Reddit, and the official Sandustry Wiki. Players are encouraged to leave Steam reviews, as the developer has noted that reviews are "one of the best and most impactful ways" to support the game.

Steam Reviews and Community Reception

Sandustry has received an "Overwhelmingly Positive" overall rating on Steam, based on 2,095 English reviews. This places it among the highest-rated Early Access titles on the platform. Major gaming outlets have also praised the game:

PCGamesN: "Blending the automation of Factorio with the 2D pixel world of Terraria, Sandustry is a game you definitely want to keep an eye on."
Rock, Paper, Shotgun: "I like the looks of Sandustry because it's like a factory sim set in the labyrinths of Noita."
GamesRadar: "Sand may not be Anakin Skywalker's vibe, but I'll give it a go."

The community has been particularly active in creating guides, sharing blueprints, and contributing to the official wiki. The developer has acknowledged the modding community's efforts, noting that modders have created impressive content even without formal API documentation.

System Requirements for Sandustry on Steam

Sandustry has modest system requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of PCs. The game requires only 1 GB of storage space, and an SSD is recommended for all platforms.

Windows Minimum Requirements

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5-4670K (quad-core) / AMD FX-Series FX-8100 (quad-core)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti (1 GB) / AMD Radeon HD 7750 (1 GB)
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 1 GB available space

Windows Recommended Requirements

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K (hexa-core) / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (hexa-core)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 (4 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 570 (4 GB)
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 1 GB available space

macOS Requirements

The macOS version requires macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. The minimum and recommended specs mirror the Windows requirements, with the same processor, memory, and graphics card tiers. An SSD is recommended.

SteamOS + Linux Requirements

Sandustry also supports SteamOS and Linux. The minimum requirements specify an Intel Core i5-4670K or AMD FX-8100 processor, 4 GB RAM, and a GTX 550 Ti or HD 7750 graphics card. The recommended specs match the Windows recommended tier.

Recent Steam Updates and Patch Notes

The developer has been actively patching the game since launch. Here are the key updates available on Steam:

Update #1 — v0.5.4

This update focused on quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes. Key changes include improved filter configuration (players can now press the filter overlay label or "Edit last placed" to quickly change filters), a fix for a Tier 5 softlock that could trap players after the anomaly investigation, and the ability to remove previously indestructible red blocks. The update also added rebindable keybindings for Zoom In and Zoom Out.

Update #2 — v0.5.5

The second major update brought stability improvements and crash diagnostics. The developer added significantly more logging to help diagnose crashes, with log files available at platform-specific locations. Instruction videos were converted from video files to animated images, fixing GPU crashes and OBS capture hook issues. The update also added Alt+Enter fullscreen toggling, monitor memory, and a workaround for the right mouse button getting stuck on macOS.

How to Buy Sandustry on Steam

To purchase Sandustry on Steam, visit the official Steam store page at store.steampowered.com/app/2764460/Sandustry/. The game is available as a single purchase — there are no separate editions or DLC packs at this time. Since the game is in Early Access, purchasing now gives you immediate access to the current build and all future updates at no additional cost.

After purchasing, you can join the Sandustry community on Discord to connect with other players, share blueprints, and get help. The developer also maintains an official newsletter on the Sandustry website for development updates.

Steam Workshop and Modding Support

Sandustry has a Steam Workshop page where community members share mods and creations. The developer has praised the modding community for producing impressive content without formal API documentation. To use mods, players need to switch to the "mods" branch in Steam's beta settings. However, the developer warns that this branch is unstable and not up to date, so it should only be used by those who want to test modding — vanilla players should stay on the default branch.

Tips for New Steam Players

If you're new to Sandustry after buying it on Steam, start with the in-game Beginner's Guide, which covers the basics of getting your factory up and running. The official wiki at wiki.hoodedhorse.com provides more detailed information about game mechanics, resources, and strategies.