Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Gacha Capsule Shop Simulator – Akihabara Launches in Early Access on June 8
Gacha Capsule Shop Simulator – Akihabara has launched in Early Access on PC via Steam on June 8, 2026. The game combines shop management, capsule toy collecting, and gacha mechanics, set in a stylized Akihabara district. The Early Access version includes expanded systems, full localization in 26 languages, and features like a Robot Fight Club and a luck-boosting Maneki-Neko system.
Release Dates/Windows
Several games have announced release dates or windows. Blue Ridge Hunting released a trailer during Summer Game Fest 2026, Gacha Capsule Shop Simulator - Akihabara will launch in Early Access on June 8, and Puppergeist has also had its release date announced.
Game Reviews
This article provides early access impressions of the game Medic Pacific War. The Wand Report details the initial gameplay experience and offers insights into the game's current state.
Overstimulating shooter FISH launches this month
The indie shooter Fish, featuring a gun-wielding fish protagonist, will launch in early access on June 22 for PC via Steam. The game is a platformer run and gun shooter with a unique art style and challenging bosses. A demo is currently available.
Subnautica 2 Dev Reveals What to Expect From Upcoming Early Access 1.1 Update
Unknown Worlds has revealed details about the upcoming 1.1 update for the early access survival game Subnautica 2. The update will introduce a new vehicle and a new region focused on the Collector Leviathan.
Stormforge Opens Public Playtest Registration Ahead of 2026 Early Access Launch
Roboto Games has opened registration for a public playtest of its open-world survival crafting game, Stormforge, scheduled for July. The game, featuring cel-shaded graphics and cooperative play for up to eight players, is planned for an Early Access launch on Steam in 2026. The announcement was made during the Women-Led Games Showcase, accompanied by a trailer highlighting the game's class-based combat and dynamic magical storms.
Medic: Pacific War Early Access
Medic: Pacific War has launched its Early Access period on Steam, allowing players to experience the role of a combat medic during World War II. The game is developed by Hypnotic Ants and IZilla Games.
Control Resonant’s 48hr Exclusive Early Access On PlayStation Is Baffling
Remedy's decision to offer 48-hour early access to Control Resonant's Digital Deluxe Edition exclusively on PlayStation has drawn criticism. This marketing strategy, which does not extend to Xbox or PC users despite the same price point, has baffled industry observers and fans alike. The article questions the value of such timed exclusivity and the broader practice of monetizing early access.
Development on Prologue: Go Wayback is ending as PlayerUnknown Productions lays off an unspecified amount of staff
PlayerUnknown Productions has ended development on Prologue: Go Wayback and laid off an unspecified number of staff due to funding limitations. The studio's founder, Brendan Greene, stated that a smaller team will continue working on their in-development game engine, Melba. The early access game Prologue: Go Wayback will become free-to-play with its next update, and the company is seeking ways to offer refunds to players who purchased it.
Subnautica 2 studio "hard at work" on new updates as it shares more details on the features its 4 million players can expect next
Developer Unknown Worlds is actively working on updates for Subnautica 2, which has reached 4 million players. Upcoming improvements include enhancements to the Biomod system, wrecks, parasite encounters, and voiceover priorities. New social features like proximity voice chat and character customization are also planned, alongside the first major early access content drop featuring a new region, creatures, resources, and a new chassis. The studio aims to implement these changes without requiring players to restart their existing saves.
What to expect from Subnautica 2 update 1.1
Unknown Worlds is preparing the 1.1 update for the early access survival game Subnautica 2, which will introduce new creatures, resources, a new biome called "The home of the Collector Leviathan," and the return of the Prawn Suit. This update will also include a progression and story-driven extension to the game's adventure, with Design Lead Anthony Gallegos describing it as the "scariest the game has been yet."
Fans question Control Resonant PS5-exclusive early access
Fans are questioning Remedy Entertainment's decision to offer 48 hours of early access to Control Resonant exclusively for the PlayStation 5 Digital Deluxe Edition, despite identical pricing for Xbox Series X and PC versions. Communications Director Thomas Puha confirmed the exclusivity. The sequel, set to launch on September 24, 2026, expands on the supernatural universe of the original Control.
Paralives proves it's a true Sims 4 successor as devs desperately try to fix bug where a naked man "can appear in your household if after giving birth, you exit without saving"
The indie life simulation game Paralives, currently in Early Access, is experiencing a peculiar bug where a naked male character named Charlie can appear in the player's household. Paralives Studio is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, with a temporary solution involving the in-game Paramaker tool. The game is also noted for its lack of paid DLC plans.
Subnautica 2's next region will be its "scariest" yet, but it hides the chassis we've all been waiting for
Unknown Worlds Design Lead Anthony Gallegos shared details about the upcoming first major early access update for Subnautica 2, Update 1.1. This update will introduce a new, "scariest" region featuring the Collector Leviathan and a highly requested chassis, likely the PRAWN Suit. The update also includes improvements to the Biomod system, performance, multiplayer features like emotes and proximity voice chat, and expanded player customization.
Subnautica 2's first major update "brings back one of the most requested player experiences" and will be…
Unknown Worlds design lead Anthony Gallegos teased that Subnautica 2's next major content drop for its early access version will reintroduce a highly requested player experience, likely the PRAWN Suit. The update will also feature a new region with creatures and resources, aiming to be the scariest the game has been yet, and will include quality-of-life improvements like proximity chat.
Subnautica 2 promises to add 'one of the most requested' features, but sorry, it's not a knife you can…
Unknown Worlds Entertainment is planning future updates for the early access survival game Subnautica 2, including the highly requested Prawn Suit from the original game. While a combat knife for players to kill hostile creatures is not planned, creature aggression has been balanced. The developer is also working on improving multiplayer proximity chat and adding emotes.
UNKNOWN WORLDS OUTLINES WHAT’S NEXT FOR SUBNAUTICA 2
Unknown Worlds has shared details on the future of Subnautica 2, focusing on improvements and new features for its Early Access period. Upcoming updates will enhance core systems, introduce social features like proximity voice chat and expanded customization, and a larger content update featuring a new vehicle and region. Player feedback is actively shaping the game's development, with the team prioritizing community input throughout Early Access.
Surprisingly big Hades 2 update adds a feature we've wanted since the very beginning of Steam Early Access
Supergiant Games has released a hotfix for Hades 2, addressing numerous bugs and introducing new features. The update includes an inventory hint for Mystery Seeds and a new death animation for the Hellifish. These changes aim to improve the player experience in the roguelike sequel, which is currently in Steam Early Access.
BECOME THE LAST HOPE FOR THE WOUNDED AS MEDIC: PACIFIC WAR LAUNCHES INTO STEAM EARLY ACCESS TODAY
Medic: Pacific War, a World War II frontline medic simulation developed by Hypnotic Ants, has launched into Steam Early Access. The game focuses on saving soldiers rather than defeating enemies, featuring authentic medical gameplay and a story campaign that begins at Pearl Harbor. A roguelite mode called Lifeline offers replayable challenges with permanent progression.
Camelot Unchained explains why its backers got standalone game keys, not Steam keys
Unchained Games explained that Camelot Unchained backers received standalone client keys instead of Steam keys due to concerns about distributing over 30,000 keys and potential launch day issues. The MMORPG, which entered Steam early access in June 2026 after years of development and delays, is currently receiving mixed reviews on the platform.