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 promising games that recently entered Steam Early Access. Even if you don’t like buying games in Early Access, remember to wishlist any games that catch your attention so you’ll be notified when they get a full release.
Here’s 5 Early Access games that might be worth your attention:
Killsquad
Developer: Novarama
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $24.99 (Price will increase)
First up this week is Killsquad, a sci-fi action-RPG with a heavy focus on co-op. Players team up to form Killsquads, gangs of bounty hunters that take on dangerous contracts across the known universe. Killsquad has an overarching meta game where clans compete for the best contracts in real time to improve their rankings so they can take on even more lucrative missions. The game currently features four characters, with another two on the way before final release. Character stats and abilities start from zero at the beginning of each mission, with character progression and upgrades being based more on the gear and loot you equip.
Killsquad will stay in Early Access for about six months.
StoneDeep
Developer: Ostertag Gbr
Publisher: Smuttlewerk Interactive
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $17.99 (Price will increase)
StoneDeep is an underground city building game about creating a thriving society of dwarves. Send your dwarves to gather resources, construct dwellings for them, and ensure that the ale flows like water to keep them all happy. You’ll also need to ensure that your dwarves are well trained and equipped so they can defend your city from the hordes of monsters that dwell in the depths of the earth.
StoneDeep will receive a full release sometime next year.
Gloomhaven
Developer: Flaming Fowl Studios
Publisher: Asmodee Digital
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $24.99 (Price will increase)
Gloomhaven is a digital adaptation of the incredibly well-received dungeon crawling board game of the same name by Isaac Childres. Like in the board game, players will raid procedurally generated dungeons with a band of adventurers. The combat system blends grid-based tactical battles with card management. The digital adaptation currently features four characters and is limited to a roguelike Adventure Mode, but will eventually get all the content of the physical game, and even some completely new stuff.
Gloomhaven will remain in Early Access for about a year.
Nightmare Reaper
Developer: Blazing Bit Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $18.99
Nightmare Reaper is a retro-inspired horror shooter set in your character’s own cursed nightmares. The game will eventually feature 80 different weapons, including hidden enchanted variants with special abilities. You’ll be able to further customize your playstyle by purchasing upgrades for yourself and your weapons. The game is divided into three episodes, and the Early Access build features the complete first chapter of the game’s story.
The game will be in Early Access for around a year.
Soulfire
Developer: AyDream
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $16.99 (Price will increase)
Finally, we come to Soulfire, a 2D battle royale game with slow, methodical melee combat. Twenty teams of players will battle it out to be the final team standing by finding weapons and items, preparing ambushes, and engaging enemy teams in brutal battles. Preparation plays a big role in the game, and players can set traps, deploy decoys, and hide in environmental features like long grass and barrels.
Soulfire will be in Early Access for about a year.
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.
