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 5 Early Access games that might be worth checking out:
World of Horror
Publisher: Ysbryd Games
Developer: panstasz
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $14.99 (Price will increase)
World of Horror is a cosmic horror roguelite inspired by the works of Lovecraft and Junji Ito. The game is set in Shiokawa, Japan, as the Old Gods are reawakening, turning the once peaceful town into a dark and twisted hellscape. The game features a unique “1-bit” graphics style that was made in MS Paint.
World of Horror is expected to receive a full release in Q4 2020.
Darksburg
Developer: Shiro Games
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $19.99 (Price will increase)
Darksburg is the next game by the developers of Northgard. This top-down cooperative action game is set in a fantasy world during a zombie apocalypse, where each player controls a unique character with their own set of upgradable skills and abilities.
There is also a 4v4 competitive mode, where a rival team of players get to control the game’s undead champions in an attempt to kill all the heroes.
Darksburg will remain in Early Access for between 6 to 12 months.
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened
Developer: Chromatic Games
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $39.99
The beloved Dungeon Defenders series returns with Dungeon Defenders: Awakened, a mixture of a prequel and soft reboot of the franchise.
Four friends will once again be tasked with defending the Eternia Crystals from waves of evil monsters. Construct towers, fight monsters, and upgrade your favorite character with new skills and loot.
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is targeting a Q2 2020 timeframe for its full release.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Publisher: NEOWIZ
Developer: SouthPAW Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Linux, Mac
Price: $17.99 (Price will increase)
Skul: The Hero Slayer is a 2D action-roguelite where you play as a noble skeleton warrior trying to repel an invasion from the “heroes.” The game’s combat system is based around finding the skulls of your fellow skeleton guards, granting you access to their special abilities and attacks.
Skul: The Hero Slayer is set to get a full release in Q2 2020. In case you missed it, you can find our hands-on preview here.
Invasion Machine
Developer: Pixel Machine
Platform: Windows PC
Price: $18.99 (Price will increase)
Finally, we come to Invasion Machine, a sandbox RTS inspired by American peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the commander of a peacekeeping force, you are tasked with sending out patrols, hunting down insurgents, conducting rescue operations, and trying to improve and maintain relations with the country’s civilian population.
Invasion Machine is set to get a full release in Q2 2021.
Which of these games are you interested in? Are you playing any recent Early Access releases that we missed? Tell us more in the comments below!
