I’ve been looking for an excuse to jump back into The Gold River Project. I may now after I saw the new trailer. What is it you ask? Well, us water enthusiasts love some kayaking and recreational diving.

The Mariner update is now available for all Early Access players, introducing a range of new activities and exploration opportunities while continuing the game’s post-launch development.

This update focuses heavily on waterways, expanding how players interact with the wilderness. Kayaks and motorboats have been added, giving players new options for travel across lakes and rivers. These vehicles aren’t simply transportation tools. They can be customized with craftable upgrades, including additional storage, allowing players to better prepare for longer excursions into remote areas of the map.

Fishing has also become a fully developed activity through the introduction of a craftable fishing rod, multiple lure types, and bait options designed to catch different species of fish. The new system ties into expanded cooking mechanics, with several freshwater-inspired recipes added to give players more ways to use the resources they collect.

Exploration receives a significant boost as well. New islands have been added across the game world, creating additional locations to discover and loot. Players looking to venture beneath the surface can now equip scuba diving gear that improves underwater visibility, increases swimming speed, and allows for longer dives. These additions open up new areas that were previously inaccessible or difficult to investigate. Mariner also introduces a new point of interest featuring a unique challenge that becomes available during the summer and fall seasons.

Outside of exploration and survival mechanics, the update includes new clothing options for character customization and additional badges that unlock unique rewards. Alongside the content additions, the development team has implemented further bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and loot balance adjustments.

The Mariner update represents the first of three planned major content releases for The Gold River Project during Early Access. According to the developers, future updates titled Hunter and Survivor are still in development and are expected to expand the game further with new vehicles, enemies, equipment, and locations. But in the meantime, kayaking will do the job.