With 1.5 million wishlists on Steam, over the hill is one of the most anticipated indie games of 2026. The 1–4 player off-road exploration adventure game from Funselektor (art of rally) certainly has a lot of charm.
In over the hill, players drive recreations of iconic off-road vehicles from the 1960s to the 1980s as they explore the game's vast wilderness. They must navigate their way through varied biomes inspired by real-world locations, ranging from valleys to mountains and everything in between. While some areas have clearly defined routes, many sections are designed to encourage exploration.
On the one hand, it's about exploring the game world at an individual pace, but it's also about overcoming the challenges of off-road driving. The interface provides information on slope angle and incline, and driving in the appropriate low gears is, of course, essential when driving through water or uphill. As well as relaxed driving, there are technical 'rock-crawling' sections to tackle, rivers to cross and snow-covered routes to navigate. Here, the focus is on selecting the correct gear (low range for traction when driving uphill) and planning the route. Players can then use planks to cross gaps and free themselves or their vehicles from difficult situations using winches. The dynamic weather effects and day/night cycles are particularly impressive, keeping the journey dynamic — especially since rain makes the ground slippery. Whether playing alone or cooperatively with up to four other players, the aim is to overcome the obstacles.
over the hill © Funselektor
Occasionally, the vehicles feel as though they are bouncing a bit too much over the terrain, but this is ultimately not meant to be an off-road driving simulation, although the basics of off-road driving are covered. In terms of handling, Funselektor has struck a good balance between arcade and simulation. It's challenging enough for players to have to pay attention to their gear and the terrain without it becoming frustratingly stressful, given that the animated suspension also provides good feedback. Furthermore, there are hardly any penalties for failure.
Players explore forests, lakesides and mountains, uncovering remote cabins, scenic viewpoints and natural landmarks, as well as meteorites that have fallen from the sky. First, they must find their way to these locations, and then they must draw them out. There are also portals that can transport them to new areas. Native wildlife can be spotted and captured using the in-game camera to fill the compendium or to take pictures of landscapes; this can be done using a practical ring menu, which can also be used to control the winch. Players can find upgrades and equipment throughout the world to help them tackle the terrain ahead. They can also stop at merchants and cabins to customise their vehicle's colour, accessories and cosmetics. Campsites can also be set up for rest and relaxation after a long day in the elements. This game is a cozy alternative to hardcore simulations such as SnowRunner or MudRunner. There is no time pressure, leaderboards or stressful story, but more maps to explore would be welcome.
over the hill © Funselektor
"We really hope players enjoy over the hill. To be honest, we can't believe it's out. The game started with a pretty simple idea to make a single-player exploration game where you could get in an old 4x4, head into the wilderness, and just see where you ended up. I'm a bit of a nomad, and for the past decade, I've spent a lot of time living and working out of my camper van. One of my favourite things has always been to find somewhere remote to camp, slow down for a while, and then just head off again with no real plan. That feeling of patience and meandering is a big part of over the hill, so we hope everyon who plays it feels that and gets something positive from their time with it." - Dune Casu, Founder and Creative Director at Funselektor
The game was developed by Funselektor, a game development studio specialising in minimalist and stylised aesthetics. Founded in 2014 by Dune Casu, the studio developed the prototype for its debut title at a game jam: Absolute Drift, a racing game focusing on drifts from an aerial perspective. Driven by his passion for rally, Casu began development on Funselektor's second title, art of rally (2020), while continuing to support Absolute Drift following its release in 2015. Art of rally is a precision rally racing game set in realistic environments during the golden era of rallying. Following the game's success, the team maintained their momentum with numerous free content updates and one final DLC pack featuring Australia. During this period, they showcased a prototype of a motorsport management game. After some time, this became a reality in 2024 when Funselektor joined forces with Strelka Games to create their third game, Golden Lap. In this game, players become a racing team manager in the golden era of motorsport, where every decision can lead to triumph or tragedy. Funselektor's fourth game, over the hill, also focuses on vehicles, but in a more relaxed way, without a racing element.
over the hill © Funselektor
Over the hill was released on 14 October 2026 for PC. It costs $24.99, €24.99 or £22.49. Players can also purchase the Supporter Edition for $37.99/€37.99/£33.99. This includes the base game, exclusive in-game car cosmetics such as a spare wheel, licence plate and supporter name tag, a 40-track digital soundtrack and a special campsite with decorations, tents and a fireplace. Versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and mobile are set to arrive in 2027.
Over the hill is a cozy off-road adventure set in a world that literally invites exploration. It's all about the journey itself and overcoming the obstacles along the way.
