
Playtest report preview
SurfpunkWhat streamers ran into on Twitch
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1-4 player co-op action RPG about surfing, fighting monsters, and scavenging loot.
We listened to 8 Twitch streams of Surfpunk (6h 42m in total). The problem that came up most: explosive barrels come from crafting, which is never taught, in 2 of 8 streams.
8 Twitch streams · 6h 42m analysed · French, English · analysed in the week of 19 Oct 2026 · Steam page
- Problems
- 34
- Ideas
- 2
- Highlights
- 9
Each problem, idea and highlight counts once, however often it came up. The timeline counts every moment: 86 in all.
Where the moments happened
Grey bars show when the streamer was talking. Each mark is one reported moment; select a type below to hide or show it.
- Stream 1, 41 min analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
- Stream 2, 1h analysed: 7 problems, 5 highlights.
- Stream 3, 1h analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
- Stream 4, 31 min analysed: 6 problems, 3 highlights.
- Stream 5, 36 min analysed: 16 problems, 5 highlights.
- Stream 6, 54 min analysed: 24 problems, 4 suggestions or comparisons, 3 highlights.
- Stream 7, 1h analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
- Stream 8, 1h analysed: 12 problems, 1 highlight.
Problems (34)
Bugs, confusion, frustration and the moments players gave up. The ones most streams ran into come first.
- #1Bug
quests vanish after joining another player's group
2 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #2Confusion
explosive barrels come from crafting, which is never taught
2 of 8 streams · 6 moments
6 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #3Confusion
no discoverable way to switch weapons or weapon class
2 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #4Confusion
ultimate unlock, activation and recharge are not explained
2 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #24Frustration
guitar weapon's challenging rhythm timing mechanics discourage players
2 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #25Frustration
island enemies remove most health very fast
2 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #5Confusion
run timer and tsunami trigger not explained
1 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #6Confusion
no way to recall the surfboard after leaving it
1 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #7Confusion
supply drop call explained only once and forgotten
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #8Confusion
inviting friends to a session is hard to find
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #26Frustration
defensive attack feels weak and costly before upgrades
1 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #27Frustration
power attack cannot be cancelled into a dodge
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #9Confusion
skill effects and energy costs not explained in combat tutorial
1 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #10Confusion
body options hidden or invisible in character creator
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #11Confusion
unclear where to go on the ship before the first mission
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #12Confusion
blue markers on the map and in the level are unexplained
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #13Confusion
looting feels slow while learning the controls
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #14Confusion
volume slider control not obvious at first
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #15Confusion
gaze interaction gives no view of the target
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #16Confusion
weapon attack buttons unclear after equipping
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #17Confusion
navi tower activation not explained
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #18Confusion
endless enemy spawns surprise in tutorial
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #19Confusion
unclear how to reach exclamation markers on islands
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #20Confusion
no option to skip the tutorial
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #21Confusion
unexplained icon on the hud after the tutorial
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #22Confusion
one player readying up forces the whole group
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #23Confusion
ledges can be dropped from but not climbed
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #28Frustration
fixed overhead camera takes getting used to
1 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #29Frustration
dodge range short and cooldown unclear
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #30Frustration
timed enemy event failed on the time limit
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #31Frustration
menu shows mouse cursor while using a controller
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #32Frustration
character creator preview cannot be rotated
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #33Frustration
jump feels too limited
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #34Frustration
supply drop cancelled by accident
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
Suggestions and comparisons (2)
What players asked for, and which games they compared yours to.
- #35Comparison
run structure compared to a co op roguelike
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #36Comparison
healing supply call compared to helldivers calldowns
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
What landed (9)
Moments players clearly enjoyed.
- #37Highlight
hub petting, dances and idle animations charm players
3 of 8 streams · 6 moments
6 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #38Highlight
guitar weapon look and riff special are well liked
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #39Highlight
character creator hairstyles and outfits are well liked
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #40Highlight
ocean setting and characters are likeable
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #41Highlight
ultimate attack feels powerful on first use
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #42Highlight
colorful art style draws players in
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #43Highlight
defensive attack becomes strong once it heals
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #44Highlight
held dash slide speed boost is a nice discovery
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #45Highlight
tips shown in the menu are appreciated
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
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early purchases cost more than manual hauling earns

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players start without being taught steering and fart keys