67%Strong matchDescent
96%45196% positive reviews, Overwhelmingly Positive across 451 reviews·Classic · 6DOF
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Master the hardcore, Starship-style catch maneuver in Critical Descent. Pilot massive boosters and agile upper stages across 50+ handcrafted levels on Earth, the Moon, and Mars. Featuring global leaderboards, multiple difficulties, and a realistic physics system, for the ultimate landing experience.
Critical Descent
SteamA free demo is available now! Prepare yourself to master intense maneuvers and precise piloting to execute the incredible catch maneuver!
Critical Descent is a game about mastery, repetition, and the perfect execution of one of the most awe-inspiring landing maneuvers ever. Each level challenges your ability to fly the rocket all the way down for a smooth catch in the tower’s arms.
Over 50 handcrafted levels await, each with unique scenarios and increasing difficulty. Execute precise maneuvers, pull off incredible descents, and fail repeatedly, learning after every failure until you finally achieve the perfect landing.
Choose from different difficulty options, with an easier mode for new players including a smart throttling system and automatic actuation of the chopsticks, or full manual control for more experienced players.
Pilot both the massive booster, and the more agile upper stage, and attempt landings across Earth, the Moon and Mars in all different weather conditions.
Compete against yourself or on a global leaderboard for the best time. Race your own best attempt as a ghost to defeat it and get a new record. Download and race the world record in real-time to see if you can compete.
Play on your Steam Deck or your PC, with full controller and keyboard support, as well as adaptive UI and text scaling, compatible with all aspect ratios. Critical Descent is optimized for all devices, from the handheld Steam Deck to ultrawide monitors.
Steam data © 2026 Valve Corporation. Trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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The best games like Critical Descent are Descent, Lunar Flight, Overload, Spaceflight Simulator, and ΔV: Rings of Saturn.
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