Heaven Dust
Heaven Dust
Game
Game2022
Endling - Extinction is Forever
Developer Herobeat Studios
Endling: Extinction is Forever is an indie survival-adventure game about the last mother fox and her cubs in a post-apocalyptic world. Developed by Barcelona-based studio Herobeat Studios and published by German HandyGames, it was first released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 19, 2022. Subsequently, it was released for Amazon Luna on October 6, 2022, for PlayStation 5 and… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
270 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 4, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
94
LovedLoved
204 positive · 12 negative
95% range 91–97%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 204 | 12 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 18 | 0 | 32 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
1,877 of 1,970 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
95% recommend · 199 yes, 11 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 210 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (3,502 of 3,679 positive).
Players describe the game as a heartbreaking and emotional experience about a mother fox struggling to survive in a damaged world. [1][2][3] Many reviewers praise the game's environmental message and its ability to raise awareness about conservation. [4][5][6] Some players note the game is short and has minor technical issues, but still recommend it. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [17]
Spoiler free TLDR: Beautiful game but the ending felt rushed and lazy. I had high hopes for this game, and in some aspects it met them. I loved the style, loved the music, the gameplay got a little repetitive but I think it worked in the sense that you're playing as a mother fox that still has other pups to feed and keep alive while maintaining your search for your missing pup in the dying world. **Spoilers Ahead** …
- [2]
This is the sweetest, most meaningfull game i've played since Stray and Shelter 1. This game RUINED me. I will never forgive you creators. Thank you for all of your hard work and breaking my heart.
- [3]
Don't play this game! This game will break your heart, tear it apart and shatter it into a million pieces. 😭 Seriously. If you're expecting a cozy fox adventure with a happy ending, you're in the wrong place. This game is emotional, cruel and not afraid to remind you how fragile nature really is. Prepare yourself to some serious emotional damage. You play as the last mother fox on Earth, trying to keep your cubs …
- [4]
I used to work in wildlife care. Conservation is a huge topic of discussion, and saving a species is so, so difficult. This game does a phenomenal job at bringing that awareness to the player. Habitat loss, waste and litter, poaching, illegal pet trade, etc. all contribute to biodiversity decline and the loss of many amazing species. If you care about the planet you live on, this game will bring you to tears. I …
- [1]
I was like: "Okay cool, a game about a fox and her babies being raised in a nuclear environment, this should be fun right?" Hell ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ NAHHH. I never ever wanna touch this game again, this broke me to the core.
Summarised from 34 of the 262 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
95% of the 210 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Endling - Extinction is Forever. The complaint that keeps coming up: game is short, around 8 hours for completion. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Critics, per Wikipedia
The game was nominated for the "Games for Impact" award at The Game Awards 2022, which went to As Dusk Falls. The game was also nominated for the "Outstanding Art Direction, Contemporary", "Outstanding Game, Special Class", "Outstanding Original Dramatic Score, New IP", and "Outstanding Game of the Year" awards at the 22nd Annual NAVGTR Awards, winning only one for "Outstanding Game, Special Class". It was also nominated for the "Social Impact Award" at the 23rd Game Developers Choice Awards, which went to Citizen Sleeper; and won the award for "Game Beyond Entertainment" at the 19th British Academy Games Awards. It also won the awards for "Game of the Year" and "Most Significant Impact" at…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 270 · most liked firstEndling: Extinction is Forever ✅ 28/28 🏆 Cute game, finished it in a day. It’s about environmental destruction and a fox and her pups trying to survive so obviously it was gonna have a sad ending, but it was a unique little game with a simple story and beautiful animation.
positive · AI labelView post →Hecc yeah, it's Wednesday, come watch me cry playing the sad fox game Endling Extinction Is Forever~ 🦊🧡 rotfox.tv
neutral · AI labelView post →I was like: "Okay cool, a game about a fox and her babies being raised in a nuclear environment, this should be fun right?" Hell ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ NAHHH. I never ever wanna touch this game again, this broke me to the core.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This actually does mean a lot. Today, I left a positive review for Prodeus and Endling: Extinction is Forever. I went to give one to Selaco but saw that I already left one. In the Christmas spirit, repost this only after you’ve given an indie game you enjoyed a positive review. #indiedev #indie
neutral · AI labelView post →This is the sweetest, most meaningfull game i've played since Stray and Shelter 1. This game RUINED me. I will never forgive you creators. Thank you for all of your hard work and breaking my heart.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Humble Bundle] Exceptional Indie Allies Bundle ($10.00). 7 Steam Games - APICO - Endling - Extinction is Forever - Mutazione - NORCO - Not For Broadcast - One Step From Eden - Wytchwood
neutral · AI labelView post →I Freaking love this game and its cuteness but its also very sad, future players beware!! I highly recommend this game but it is not for the faint of heart as it showcases deforestation, kit death, fox death, intense situations, etc. it is very cute as you play as a mama fox taking care of her kits and can interact with them via snuggles, picking them up, special kit abilities/skills, cute cutscenes and barking and they respond kind of situation and you can customize your kits as well. I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Don't play this game! This game will break your heart, tear it apart and shatter it into a million pieces. 😭 Seriously. If you're expecting a cozy fox adventure with a happy ending, you're in the wrong place. This game is emotional, cruel and not afraid to remind you how fragile nature really is. Prepare yourself to some serious emotional damage. You play as the last mother fox on Earth, trying to keep your cubs alive in a world that has been damaged beyond repair. Every day is a struggle.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →[Steam] Endling - Extinction is Forever ($2.99 / 90% off).
neutral · AI labelView post →I used to work in wildlife care. Conservation is a huge topic of discussion, and saving a species is so, so difficult. This game does a phenomenal job at bringing that awareness to the player. Habitat loss, waste and litter, poaching, illegal pet trade, etc. all contribute to biodiversity decline and the loss of many amazing species. If you care about the planet you live on, this game will bring you to tears. I encourage everyone to look into small actions you can take to improve conditions…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →No support for rebinding keys, and the default keybindings are only usable on QWERTY. Even worse, if your main keyboard layout is non-qwerty, then switching the keyboard layout does absolutely nothing. Devs acknowledge the issue and refuse to fix it. Instant return.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Javier Ramello I have beef with you personally for traumatizing me with this game. Everyone else involved with this game good job next time maybe make something less horribly sad and real shall we? I already take as best care as I can with my friends and loved ones, my pets, and the enviroment as I can While I think it is a great game bringing in a important message, I do not think the people who need to be moved by this would get into a format like gaming to understand the message and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Spoiler free TLDR: Beautiful game but the ending felt rushed and lazy. I had high hopes for this game, and in some aspects it met them. I loved the style, loved the music, the gameplay got a little repetitive but I think it worked in the sense that you're playing as a mother fox that still has other pups to feed and keep alive while maintaining your search for your missing pup in the dying world. **Spoilers Ahead** Minor issues I had: - I didn't love how short nights felt sometimes and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Albeit sad, that is the message of the story. It's tough for a mother fox to take care of her babies because humans keep destroying everything around you. At first you're fishing in the water and hunting mice and it's easy to keep your babies fed, but food becomes scarcer, there's danger around every corner. Every step you take towards hopefully getting somewhere feels futile, but you have no other option. One misjudgement could be the difference between you having all your babies in the end,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you see this, quote with 10 games to get to know you by! Splatoon 1,2 and 3 ☯️Pokemon B&W ⭐️ Super Mario Galaxy 1+2 🩸Deltarune 🖋️ Ōkami ⚔️ Fire Emblem: Three houses 🛶 Spiritfarer 🦊 Endling- Extinction is Forever 🪿 Untitled Goose Game 🐞 Grounded
neutral · AI labelView post →I just got done playing Endling: Extinction is Forever by @herobeatstudios.bsky.social. Very good gameplay, love the many storylines in the game, music is very good, but why do you have to tug and make my heartache so 😭
positive · AI labelView post →An amazing heartwrenching game that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire game by forcing you to drag your little cubs to the ends of a hostile map for morsels of food. 10/10 won't play twice because my heart couldn't take it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The most beautiful and heartbreaking game I've ever played.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →2025 Platinum Trophy #1: Endling Extinction is Forever Beautiful story game, wonderful environment and moving moments have made this one of, if not the, most impactful Platinums I've ever done. @herobeatstudios.bsky.social have smashed it with this for sure!!!
positive · AI labelView post →The themes and scenarios in this game can be difficult for some people to handle. Although, I think that this is a game that is very much worth playing, allowing yourself to be immersed in each moment. A beautiful and heartfelt game!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A great and very emotional game. I felt at times the amount of exploration was cut a little short by the smaller size of the game. However, despite the smaller game size, the content that it does have delivers extremely well and it will certainly be a game I won't forget for a long time
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling plays more like an interactive novel, as the gameplay is relatively straightforward with no real challenges one might consider "hard". It's an allegory of a world in decline, told through the eyes of wildlife that must adapt to a situation they don't understand. Don't play this game if you are the sensitive sort, as it includes a lot of violence toward animals, with an ending that will just destroy even the most robotic of hearts. Overall, I feel like the story could have been told…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling: Extinction is Forever from @herobeatstudios.bsky.social and @handy-games.com is featured in my book Indie Game Works as one of 50 beautiful indie titles. You can buy it now in the UK and get access to dev interviews and behind-the-scenes artwork. amzn.eu/d/0gmcEegV
neutral · AI labelView post →The fox starts crying at the end of the opening scene, which I found jarring. Makes it feel like they didn't trust people to care about the foxes unless they were expressing human emotions in a human way. The same vibe continues, making me wonder if the foxes are actually meant to be humans, but then a lot of the themes don't work as well? I guess it's fine for some, but I found it very off-putting.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling: Extinction is Forever (2022, PS5) Rating: 6.5/10 This winner of 2022’s Game Beyond BAFTA has a nice art style and pretty music, but failed to wow me. It can feel repetitive, and its attempts to tell a wordless story don’t quite translate in some ways. It was ok, but I hoped for more.
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm gonna be honest, such a good game but jesus the story. The STORY, and the ending?? the whole damn beggining to end? I just CANT it's way too much, it's too good, it was so hard not to cry, but man, just, if ur willing to buy this, do it but keep in mind you'll be broken by the end of this game. Oh yeah and by the way, do what the devs said in the game, and make the world a better place. seriously.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling – Extinction is Forever, developed by Herobeat Studios and published by HandyGames, is a powerful and heartbreaking experience that merges survival mechanics with a poignant environmental narrative. Rather than relying on elaborate dialogue or cinematic storytelling, the game conveys its themes through pure interaction and visual emotion. It casts the player as the last mother fox on Earth, struggling to protect her cubs in a desolate, dying world consumed by human exploitation and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Here's an oldie but goodie for #EarthDay - an interview with Javier Ramello from @herobeatstudios.bsky.social about their fantastic game #Endling - Extinction is Forever. 🦊 #NatureConservation #scicomm @handy-games.com
neutral · AI labelView post →I NEVER POSTED THIS AGHHHH We've BEEN⭐️LIVE⭐️ with Endling: Extinction is Forever! It's a game request by Caffy! I don't know much, but it seems to be a game about a fox family...hm...🦊 Come find out what happens with me, my birbs~!🕊️ Twitch~!: www.twitch.tv/robinandnoxy #Vtuber #Envtuber
neutral · AI labelView post →Ten Game to get to know me *The Last of us (both but especially the first) *Okami *Dead by Daylight *iRacing (it's a game 😋) *Pokémon Red *Gris *Resident Evil 7 (and 9) *A way out *Endling: Extinction is Forever *Fran Bow
neutral · AI labelView post →loved this game sm but towards the end it's starts glitching and the screen gets super blurry dev's should fix that (I'm crying so hard right now 100000000/10)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling replaces Spirit of the North as my new favorite fox themed game. Avoid spoilers at all costs, especially if you're going for 100% completion. I was expecting a sad ending but the devs still managed to catch me by surprise twice. There are a few touching lessons to be learned about the impact humans have on the world around us. I played this game entirely on the Steam Deck and encountered no problems with mechanics or bugs. The game responded flawlessly from beginning to end.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →genuinely one of the greatest games ive ever played, along with one of the most heart-breaking ones. i def recommend that those who are wondering to get it to buy the game, you never forget about it once you do. although, for pc, there are a few small bugs but nothing game breaking 1000/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I began my journey in Endling with a lot of anticipation. The art is great, and the message it aims to convey is relevant and powerful. After 7 hours of playing, I realized I was growing bored of what seemed like the same repeating gameplay loop stretched out, and I began to wonder if I'd seen all that the game had to show. I quit, and quickly saw that I had only put in under 2 hours into the game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really want to give a negative review just because this game made me CRY. HOW DARE THEY. This game is CRUEL. But as a game, it's fine. Not too hard. More interactive storytelling than anything. The kits are adorable and the badgers. The map is small enough you don't get lost. I will NOT be going back to get all the achievements. I will NOT be touching it again. I will now curl into a ball for many days and think about my life choices.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great sound and music, lovely art style, sad and short story, works great on controller and keyboard, game mechanics were fine.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Absolutely recommend this game with the caveat of buying it on sale. This game is very good, but 30 dollars is somewhat steep for a game that only took me 8 hours to reach 100% completion (though granted, still better value than a movie ticket). Besides the price being a bit high, I genuinely really love this game. The visuals are great, the sound design is great, the story, while maybe a bit heavy handed with it's messaging, did resonate with me emotionally (especially one particular scene…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →When I bought this, I expected a cozy game where I'd just take care of some fox cubs in a world like our own. I never expected to be thrown into a dying world where, every couple of days, something else in the environment went to hell. Watching both the animals and the humans suffer is absolutely heartbreaking. The game is kind of short, but it is good.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the game is very boring and the events keep repeating themselves to the point that i started speedrunning the days just to finish it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this game made me cry so bad, oh my lord you can't do this to me on a random monday night. i wasn't expecting it, either. i thought i'd play as a fox taking care of some cute baby foxes. the game had me stressing so bad cause nobody is allowed on my watch to die if i can help it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is truly something special — beautiful, heartfelt, and carrying a surprisingly deep story with an emotional, unforgettable ending. The gameplay feels incredibly comfortable. It’s easy to learn, simple in the best way, and genuinely fun. There’s so much you can do, and exploring never feels rushed. You actually have time to wander, discover, and plan each day as if it were your last. The world is full of secrets — beyond the special skills and events, there are many hidden scenes and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I just finished this game and wow… what a heartbreaking experience. It’s not very long, but it somehow makes you deeply care about this little fox family and the world around them. The atmosphere, music, and storytelling are simple but incredibly emotional. Watching the world slowly fall apart while trying to protect your cubs hits harder than I expected. The ending especially stayed with me. It’s one of those endings that feels quiet and tragic rather than dramatic, and that somehow…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling: Extinction is Forever is a game where you play as a fox mother trying to raise her four cubs into adulthood in an environment pillaged by mankind. It is a bit of a subversion of the typical survival game where the night is the safe period, and the goal is to gain as many resources by daybreak before humans wake up to hunt you down. The artstyle and soundtrack are great and perfectly suit the game's tone, themes, and message. However, the game essentially peaks right at the beginning -…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is 2.5D walking simulator with foxes on the surface. But beyond that it has incredible story without a single word, but instead it carries you through a world of changes. Give it a shot. It is worth your 3-4 hours of game time. You won't be disappointed and will be lost for words
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Endling Extinction is Forever is a great narrative game with a lot of environmental storytelling, and great art direction. But...(1/2)
positive · AI labelView post →I finally decided to just sit down and play this after it being in my library for a good while, and to be honest I wish I'd waited for it to be on sale. If you're down for a whole lot of jumping, a whole lot of confusion, and a whole lot of "omfg did my kid just die??" all along to a beautiful soundtrack, then by all means, play this game. I'm typically pretty sensitive to games like these, I cried my eyes out at the ending of Outer Wilds, but I had to force myself to shed a tear at the end of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is definitely one of the most profound games I’ve played. I liked the atmosphere. There isn’t much music in the game, but it’s pretty neat. 9/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I cried so much I couldn't see the screen through my tears and then immediately started my second play through. This game hurts but really highlights the importance of biodiversity and respecting nature.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Part 3/Finale of Endling: Extinction is Forever is up on YouTube now! I really enjoyed this game and hopefully you all did too! We've started VA-11 Hall-A, so expect videos for that up soon too! youtu.be/DVdM_py8q3I #signorchez #envtuber #vtuber #vtuberuprisings
neutral · AI labelView post →[Game Bundle] Exceptional Indie Allies. $10: * Endling - Extinction is Forever * Norco * Wytchwood * APICO * Not For Broadcast * Mutazione * One Step From Eden
neutral · AI labelView post →Ohhhhhhh man... That was really emotional and kinda depressing, but it was really good. Everything in the game is making you closer to the world and down to the level of a fox. It was almost a full cinematic experience, but don't get me wrong, the gameplay wasn't slacking either. It was pretty rough, and not an easy game by any means, i mean two of my cubs died in the first few days, but it never feels impossible, just like how the story plays out. I think the game can have such demanding…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Originally bought this game for switch a couple years back and fell in love with it till my switch broke, didn't realize it was on steam for the longest time till this years summer steam sale. So naturally I had to buy it once more and 10/10 recommend it. One of my favorite indie games yet. I hope Herobeat studios continues to make more games like this!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I recommend this game but only because it’s beautiful in its own way, meaningful and it puts you back in reality really quick. Doesn’t mean I will ever forgive you.. sick bastards..
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was supposed to spend time with my girlfriend and do puzzles, but binged this game instead - sat down and had to finish it in one go. 9/10 - almost a perfect little indie game. Addictive gameplay loop a la Outer Wilds Oppressive atmosphere a la Inside Cute cartoony graphics a la Firewatch Highly recommend.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Despite everthing, there are still good people in the world.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#15 Endling: Extinction is Forever I really enjoyed this game. It was cute, but with a serious message of how we are ruining nature. Had a bittersweet ending ending, but I really liked it. 8.5/10
positive · AI labelView post →my heart! is thoroughly!! broken!!!!! an excellent game with beautiful visuals, great music, and a much needed message. but ouch. my only complaint about it is that it's hard to tell how to get from place to place at times.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Overall Game is 9.5/10 I love the final segment of the game, it's so simple but so unique. I also love the message of the game through environment storytelling. The reason it got -0.5 because the Deactivate Trap skill sucks ass to get. In the third den during the 20+ nights, make sure to keep searching the dumping ground for the triangular trap where the scavenger have line of sight to shoot you not the bear trap. Then get trap inside said triangular trap intentionally until a mini…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →honestly an absoloutly stunning game, i 100% recommend if you like wolf quest, cattails or if you used to be a WOF or WC fan, amazing gameplay, a true heart wrenching story
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i LOVE IT but I hate it but I love it As for the actual gameplay it is nothing innovative but the story telling makes up for it big time.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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