They Call It Gravity Playtest Just Started and Flight Combat Fans Need to Try It

They Call It Gravity officially launched its open playtest on November 4, 2025, after years of development from solo creator Mizarates. This fast-paced aerial combat shooter blends push-forward action intensity with physics-based flight mechanics in a way that feels genuinely fresh. The core concept is deceptively simple: pilot a super-maneuverable drone, dodge swarms of enemies, disable air defenses to expand your flight zone, and disrupt enemy formations while harvesting resources from downed opponents. Despite the solo developer status and modest indie budget, the game has already garnered comparisons to Star Fox and Doom Eternal for its marriage of flight mechanics with modern shooter intensity.

Physics-Based Damage Changes Everything

What separates They Call It Gravity from other flight shooters is its physics-based damage system. Rather than enemies having abstract health bars that deplete to zero, you can literally dismantle enemy drones piece by piece. Disable weapons by targeting them directly. Impair accuracy by destroying specific components. Environmental destruction matters because physics governs every interaction. Collisions cause real damage. This creates tactical depth beyond simple aiming—you’re solving three-dimensional puzzles where physics is a tool you exploit.

The developer explicitly states that mastering movement is crucial for survival. This isn’t a game where sitting back and shooting works. You must be proactive, aggressive, and constantly repositioning. The push-forward philosophy mirrors Doom Eternal’s “always moving” intensity but applied to three-dimensional aerial combat instead of grounded arenas.

From Solo Evening Project to Playtest

Mizarates created They Call It Gravity while working a full-time job, dedicating nearly every evening for over a year and a half to development. This is pure passion project territory. The developer combined professional expertise in physics systems and control mechanics with genuine love for flying games and modern action shooters. The result is a game that feels like it comes from someone who deeply understands the technical requirements and design philosophy of the genres it blends.

The fact that this reached playtest stage as a solo project is remarkable. Most flight-based shooters get developed by teams with substantial budgets. Mizarates proved that thoughtful design and dedicated execution can matter more than team size or publishing backing.

The Playtest Window and How to Participate

The open playtest is available on Steam now through an unspecified end date. Players interested in trying the game can sign up directly on the Steam store page for They Call It Gravity. There’s no cost for participating in the playtest. This is genuine community feedback-gathering rather than a paid early access period. Mizarates specifically noted that community insights from playtesters are “invaluable” for refining the overall concept and enhancing gameplay.

This open playtest approach is ideal for indie developers because it lets you gather data from thousands of players simultaneously rather than relying on small closed beta groups. Players from all skill levels attempting the game provide diverse feedback that shape what the final 2026 release becomes.

Handcrafted Arenas and Push-Forward Gameplay

The game takes place in handcrafted arenas rather than procedurally-generated spaces. This design choice means every engagement is intentional—the environment is a puzzle to solve rather than random chaos. Handcrafting allows developers to create specific flow patterns, sight lines, and tactical opportunities that push-forward gameplay demands. You’re not just flying around shooting randomly. You’re navigating carefully designed spaces that encourage aggressive, proactive engagement.

The arena design philosophy echoes arena shooters like Quake and modern titles like Doom Eternal. Every area is a tactical puzzle where positioning, movement speed, and understanding the space create the difference between success and failure. This is high-skill-ceiling gameplay where mastery emerges through practice and environmental knowledge.

Star Fox Comparisons Make Sense

Multiple players have compared They Call It Gravity’s flight mechanics to Star Fox, and the developer confirmed that wasn’t intentional but isn’t surprising either. Both games prioritize responsive flight controls, three-dimensional spatial awareness, and the visceral thrill of piloting agile aircraft. However, Star Fox is a linear on-rails shooter while They Call It Gravity emphasizes complete flight freedom in handcrafted arenas. The mechanical similarities exist while the design philosophies diverge substantially.

The comparison ultimately reflects that They Call It Gravity successfully captures what made Star Fox special—the joy of flight—while applying it to modern arena shooter intensity. That’s exactly the design space Mizarates was targeting.

Full Release Coming to PC in 2026

The playtest precedes an official PC launch in 2026, with exact timing TBA. This gives Mizarates over a year to gather playtest feedback, iterate on systems, and polish the final product. For a solo developer, this timeline is reasonable and sustainable. The developer isn’t rushing to monetize. They’re taking time to ensure the 2026 release represents the full vision they’ve been developing for years.

Why This Matters for Indie Game Development

They Call It Gravity represents proof-of-concept that solo developers can create compelling genre entries if they have vision, technical skill, and dedication. There’s no massive publisher backing. No sprawling development team. Just one person with expertise combining passion projects with professional-level execution. In an industry often dominated by bloated budgets and committee design, solo projects like this demonstrate that focused vision and reasonable scope can create genuinely interesting experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the playtest launch?

November 4, 2025. The open playtest is available now on Steam with no stated end date.

How do I participate in the playtest?

Sign up on the Steam store page for They Call It Gravity. Participation is free and open to anyone.

When does the game fully release?

2026 on PC, with exact date TBA. The full release will come after the playtest feedback period concludes.

Who developed They Call It Gravity?

Solo developer Mizarates (also known as Reasonable-Test9482), who worked on the game in evenings while maintaining a full-time job for over a year and a half.

What’s the core gameplay loop?

Pilot a highly agile drone through handcrafted arenas, dodge enemy swarms, disable air defenses to expand your zone of control, and dismantle enemy drones using physics-based damage.

Is the game multiplayer?

No, They Call It Gravity is single-player focused. The campaign emphasizes personal mastery and arena navigation.

What platforms will it release on?

PC (Steam) is confirmed. Console versions haven’t been announced.

What are the minimum system requirements?

Specific requirements haven’t been publicly detailed yet. Check the Steam store page for the most current information.

Can I pre-order the game?

You can wishlist it on Steam, but pre-orders aren’t available yet. The game likely won’t have pre-orders until closer to the 2026 release date.

Conclusion

They Call It Gravity’s open playtest represents a rare intersection of solo developer passion, innovative mechanics, and genre execution that feels both respectful to flight gaming heritage and thoroughly modern. Mizarates has created something genuinely interesting by combining physics-based damage systems with push-forward aerial combat in handcrafted arenas. The playtest is your opportunity to experience what a solo developer built while working evenings and weekends—and to provide feedback that shapes the 2026 release. For players hungry for fresh takes on flight-based combat or arena shooters, They Call It Gravity should be on your playtest radar right now.