Gravhounds Open Playtest Brings Co-op Wave Shooting With Unsettling Dog Characters

Gravhounds is running a free open playtest on Steam through Monday that gives players a chance to try an early version of the co-op wave shooter before its full early access release.

The game takes the home base spaceship setup from Helldivers 2 but builds its own identity around different mechanics. Players collect resources by launching them across the map with a gravity gun, a system that feels satisfying in practice though careless use of explosive materials can backfire. The movement, particularly gliding across buildable cable networks, has solid feel. A light resource mining and tower defense layer adds strategic depth beyond pure shooting.

What may catch your attention first is the character design. The playable characters are dog-human hybrids with distinctly unsettling proportions, similar to how Fox appears in the Star Fox remake. When you respawn, you return wearing a cone of shame. According to PC Gamer, the unusual aesthetic serves a purpose in standing out in a crowded market, and the cone respawn touch adds a touch of dark humor to the proceedings.

To join the playtest, click the join button on the Gravhounds Steam page. The test runs through Monday.