Ironclad pairs tanks and DNA resurrection pods in a fresh co‑op horror beta — signups open

Why Ironclad’s tank-first co‑op horror actually caught my attention

This is the sort of idea that sounds like a pitch room fever dream: a six-player cooperative horror game where crews pilot team‑based tanks through eldritch infestations, juggle oxygen, scavenge supplies and – crucially – bring each other back from the dead using DNA‑based resurrection pods. It’s called Ironclad, beta sign‑ups are open now on Steam, and the combination of vehicle teamwork plus DNA resurrection is its clearest survival hook.

• Core hook: team‑piloted tanks plus DNA pods make player resurrection a tactical resource, not an automatic restart.
• Playable now-ish: Steam playtest branch exists (Steam app ID 3545560) and signups opened Feb. 22, 2026 via AlphaBetaGamer’s write‑up.
• Unknown developer: there’s no studio page or dev history attached yet – that’s a legitimate risk for would‑be testers.
• What’s missing: no gameplay footage, minimal screenshots, and almost no community chatter as of Feb. 23.

Breaking down the announcement — what Ironclad actually promises

Steam’s page for Ironclad (app ID 3545560) and a Feb. 22 summary on AlphaBetaGamer line up on the essentials: up to six players crew tanks in team roles that include driving, shooting and repairing; oxygen is a limited supply to manage; teams scavenge supplies and eldritch artifacts; and death isn’t always the end — safe points host DNA resurrection pods that can bring teammates back. A playtest build was already listed with a Feb. 17 release on Good Game Database, which suggests the early build exists and the developer is ready for outside testers.

How it stacks up to other co‑op survival and vehicular games

Ironclad lands in a niche that borrows from a few different directions. The idea of vehicle‑centric co‑op survival evokes Mad Max‑style convoys or indie projects that make vehicles a base of operations (see background titles like Sun Riders of Sophie from our pool). It also nods to PvEvP extraction loops where scavenging and risky returns matter — think Star Wrath’s DNA harvesting — but Ironclad frames DNA as a resurrection mechanic rather than a permanent power‑system. That could shift the meta from “grab the best loot and escape” to “who do we save and when?”

What this means for players — the real gameplay implications

If the mechanics work as described, Ironclad promises tight role interdependence. Expect standard roles: driver to position and dodge threats, gunners for DPS, an engineer to fix hull and turret systems, and a scavenger to risk runs for oxygen and artifact pickups. The DNA pods make resurrection an explicit resource — are they instantaneous, costly, or grindy? That design choice will define whether Ironclad feels tactical or punishing.

On the horror side, team tanks limit lone‑wolf play and amplify tension: you can’t simply sprint for a save point solo — your team’s movement and oxygen plan matters. That’s a neat twist on typical survival horror where isolation is the scare; here, the horror is how fragile your team’s lifeline can be.

Why I’m cautious — the red flags to watch

• No identified developer or studio website — the game is listed under an “Unknown Developer” across databases, which raises questions about support, longevity and trust.
• Absent footage and patch notes — screenshots and gameplay clips are scarce, so core systems like upgrades, monster AI and resurrection balance are unproven.
• Little community signal — no meaningful Steam discussions or Discord activity as of Feb. 23, so early impressions and moderation cues are missing.

What to watch next (and how to sign up)

• Request access via the Ironclad Steam page (use the “Request Access” / playtest branch on the app ID 3545560) to join the beta queue.
• Look for Steam playtest reviews and footage after access is granted — that will reveal whether resurrection pods are elegant or frustrating.
• Keep an eye out for a developer reveal or early patch notes explaining oxygen economy, tank upgrades, and artifact roles.
• Compare early engagement metrics to similar betas (Star Wrath, Time Takers) to judge sustained interest.

TL;DR: Ironclad’s mix of team‑piloted tanks and DNA resurrection pods is an interesting twist on co‑op survival horror, and the beta is open for requests on Steam right now. It’s worth bookmarking if you love tightly coordinated multiplayer scares — but proceed with the usual beta caution: unknown dev, scarce footage, and mechanics that could be brilliant or brittle once players stress them.