Niche Early Access - Comanche, The Black Masses, and More

This is Niche Early Access. In this column, we regularly showcase various promising games that are currently in some form of early access or development, and haven’t reached full release. Please let us know if there’s a game you want us to showcase!

I’m back with another batch of Early Access release highlights. As always, even if you don’t like buying titles that are still in Early Access, remember to wishlist any games that catch your attention so you’ll be notified when they get a full release.

Here are five Early Access games that might be worth checking out:

The Black Masses
Developer: Brilliant Game Studios
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $19.99 (Price will increase)

First up this week is The Black Masses, a first-person action-RPG set in a fantasy world during a zombie apocalypse.

You are stranded on a 16 square kilometer island full of hundreds of thousands of zombies. The game’s crowd engine is based on Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator‘s, and its the main selling point for the game.

There is also a parkour system that allows you to escape the hordes by taking to the rooftops. The game features co-op as well.

The Black Masses is expected to leave Early Access in around six months.

Malus
Developer: Rahman Abdul
Publisher: Team Ramen
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux
Price: $9.99 (Price will increase)

Malus is a dark, isometric action-RPG that hopes to recapture the atmosphere of the original Diablo, but with a slower combat system.

The combat is based around perfectly-timed dodges, and you can block so long as you have a shield equipped. There is also a big emphasis on horror and survival in a grim world.

Malus is expected to remain in Early Access for about a year.

Comanche
Developer: NUKKLEAR
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $19.99 (Price will increase)

Comanche is a multiplayer-focused reboot of the classic helicopter combat series by NovaLogic.

Two teams compete to complete objectives while in the cockpits of highly advanced stealth gunships. Players can also deploy remote combat drones. While the current version of the game is strictly multiplayer, the developers have promised a single player campaign at some point.

Comanche is estimated to stay in Early Access for around six months.

Dreadlands
Developer: Blackfox Studios
Publisher: Fatshark
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $19.99 (Price may increase)

Dreadlands is a turn-based strategy game set in the same universe as one of Fatshark’s earlier games, Krater.

Players build gangs of scavengers, and explore a quirky post-apocalyptic Sweden. The game currently has two factions, with a third coming later. Dreadlands also features shared world elements, allowing players to fight rival gangs online.

Dreadlands is expected to stay in Early Access for around six months.

Ostriv
Developer: Yevhen8
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $24.99