As you expand into and Canny Valley , the lore deepens:

The story of follows humanity's struggle for survival after a sudden cataclysm known as "The Storm" wiped out 98% of the world's population. As the Commander of Homebase, you lead a group of survivors and heroes to push back the purple mist and the "Husks"—zombie-like monsters—it creates. 1. The Cataclysm and Homebase

: Ancient cave drawings reveal that the Storm has appeared on Earth before and was defeated by ancient humans.

The current narrative climax occurs in , where you face the Storm King , a massive entity from "The Last Reality" that controls the storm.

: You reunite the members of Lars’s former band, Steel Wool , whose music and research are vital to fighting the storm.