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:
Godhood
Developer: Abbey Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Price: $26.99 (Price will increase)
First up this week is Godhood, the next game by the developers of Reus and Renown Explorers: International Society. You play as a fledgling god trying to exert their power over the mortal realm by recruiting disciples to spread your religion. Much like in Reus, Abbey’s previous god game, players don’t have direct control over their worshipers, and must instead guide them in more abstract ways by bestowing blessings and other acts of divine inspiration. Send champions to do battle in ritualistic arena combat to weaken rival deities and further spread your influence.
Abbey Games doesn’t have a set schedule for how long Godhood will be in Early Access, but they are looking to hit 1.0 before the end of the year.
Goat of Duty
Developer: 34BigThings
Publisher: Raiser Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $6.99 (Price will increase)
Goat of Duty is a completely absurd arena shooter where up to 10 players control goats splattering each other across exotic locales with supercharged headbutts, laser guns, and rocket launchers. There’s no deep lore or killstreaks, just fast-paced action, ridiculous physics, and the ability to troll enemies by playing dead. Unlock a variety of goat costumes and emotes to mock your enemies with after you’ve rammed them across the map. The game currently features four modes, including one based around its hilarious physics engine.
Goat of Duty will stay in Early Access for about four months.
AFTERBURN
Developer: MorfeoDev
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $9.99 (Price may increase)
AFTERBURN is a simple, arcade-style shooter designed to give you your daily dose of adrenaline-fueled aerial combat. The game is meant to be easy to pick up and played in short bursts, and can be controlled entirely with your mouse. There’s even daily mini-campaigns that emphasis the game’s focus on delivering furious dogfights in bite-sized chunks.
AFTERBURN will remain in Early Access for about six months.
Looking for Heals
Developer: Blue Bomber Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Price: $14.99 (Price will increase)
Looking for Heals is a tactical action roguelite inspired by the never-ending struggle of playing with incompetent guildmates in an MMO. Frustrated with the party’s constant failures, the healer decides to call the shots and lead the guild to victory in deadly dungeons and elaborate boss fights. Direct the rest of your party as the healer and keep everyone alive with strategic use of heals, buffs, shields, and revivals.
Looking for Heals should be leaving Early Access in about four months.
Kubifaktorium
Developer: Mirko Seithe
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Price: $19.99
Finally, we come to the absurdly named Kubifaktorium, a new voxel-based colony management sim. Explore new lands, gather resources, and construct thriving interconnected colonies across multiple islands. Build complex supply chains, transportation routes, and automated assembly lines to expand your colony’s economic output and meet the needs of your workers. Send adventuring parties deeper into unexplored lands to find rare materials and fend off enemies that can threaten the colony’s safety.
Kubifaktorium is an ambitious game by a single dev, so it could stay in Early Access for upwards of a year or two.
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.
