Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Beyond These Stars is now skipping early access
Balancing Monkey Games has announced that Beyond These Stars will skip its planned early access period and proceed directly to a full 1.0 release later this year. The decision was made as many core systems were deemed complete enough for a final launch. The 1.0 version will include the full galaxy, new building mechanics, interaction systems, settlement planets, alien species, quests, and the complete story mode.
The medieval survival RPG, Bellwright, has just surpassed 1 million units sold on Steam EA
Donkey Crew and Snail Games USA announced that their medieval survival RPG, Bellwright, has sold over 1 million units on Steam while still in Early Access. The game is an open-world survival title.
The medieval survival RPG, ‘Bellwright’, has just surpassed 1 million units sold on Steam EA
The medieval survival RPG Bellwright has sold over 1 million units on Steam while still in Early Access. The game is developed by Donkey Crew and published in partnership with Snail Games USA.
Game Reviews
The Wand Report published reviews for Greedfall: The Dying World and provided early access impressions for Code or Die. The latter is a game that appears to be in early access.
Avalanche Studios reveals its Highlander-style, survival of the fittest R&D strategy
Avalanche Studios Group is shifting its game development strategy to a 'survival of the fittest' R&D model, inspired by mobile game development. This approach involves small teams creating prototypes that are rigorously tested with their 'Front Runners' community to ensure audience appeal before significant investment. This comes after a period of studio closures and layoffs, with TheHunter: Call of the Wild remaining their flagship title.
'STELLAR TACTICS' 1.0 LAUNCHES MARCH 30 2026
Maverick Games announced that Stellar Tactics will launch out of Early Access on March 30 for PC platforms including Steam, GOG, and Humble. The turn-based RPG features deep character customization, strategic squad-based combat, and open-world space exploration across over 160,000 star systems.
Endless Jungle Update Now Live for Sandbox Roguelite CleanFall
Indie studio Humanyoyo has released the Endless Jungle Update for their sandbox survival roguelite, CleanFall. The update includes a rebuilt Reaper's Palace, new jungle invasions, biome overhauls, a revamped perk system, and balance adjustments. The game is also available at a 35% discount during the Steam Tower Defense Fest.
Solasta 2 release times for Steam Early Access revealed
Solasta 2 is set to launch into Steam Early Access on March 12th, 2026, with its base price set at $39.99. The PC version will allow players to reach level 4 and explore Act 1, offering approximately 10-15 hours of content with fully voiced segments and six playable classes. Unlike its predecessor, Solasta 2 is not planned for Xbox Game Preview.
Dark Ride: Sweet Dreams Launches Free in Early Access on March 10
Indie VR studio Paleozoic is releasing Dark Ride: Sweet Dreams as a free Early Access experience on PC and Meta Quest on March 10, 2026. This theme park-style VR dark ride focuses on exploration and atmospheric immersion, serving as a proof of concept for a larger project. The studio is using Early Access to gather player feedback for future updates.
Slay the Spire 2 developer refuses to rely on microtransactions or DLC packs to make quick cash, despite some players threatening "to buy all and any cosmetics we may ever release"
Mega Crit, the developer of Slay the Spire 2, has stated they will not implement microtransactions or small DLC packs, despite player interest in purchasing cosmetics. Co-founder Casey Yano emphasized the studio's stance against predatory monetization. The game is currently in early access on PC, with plans for flexible updates and a focus on modding support.
Slay The Spire 2 Devs Won't Add Microtransactions, Even Though Fans Would Pay For Them
Mega Crit co-founder Casey Yano stated that Slay the Spire 2 will not feature microtransactions, despite player interest, as the studio prioritizes a complete content experience for all players. The game is currently in Steam Early Access, with plans for free updates over the next one to two years to add more content and features.
Hive Blight Launches in Early Access Today! - GameHaunt
Hive Blight, a tactical roguelite auto-battler developed by Optizonion, has launched in Steam Early Access for PC. Players command insect clans against a fungal plague led by the Fungomancer, featuring three distinct clans, over 30 unique units, and more than 40 equipment pieces. The game focuses on single-player content with roguelite progression elements.
Prelude: Dark Pain's New Trailer Dives Into Dynamic Battlefields
Indie developer QUICKFIRE GAMES and publisher Firesquid released a new trailer for their Tactical RPG, Prelude: Dark Pain, during The Mix Spring Showcase. The game, featuring a unique dark art style and dynamic battlefields, is set to launch in Early Access on PC this Summer. Players can wishlist the game on Steam and join the official Discord.
ANIMALKIND launches in Early Access on March 30
The open-world cooperative town-building adventure game ANIMALKIND is set to launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on March 30. The game focuses on building a community and managing resources in a shared world.
Slay The Spire 2 review in progress - less than a sequel, more than an update
Slay the Spire 2 offers a refined experience building upon the original's successful deckbuilding roguelike formula, rather than a revolutionary sequel. While the core gameplay remains similar, improvements in presentation, UI, and balance, along with new cards, characters, and a four-player co-op mode, make it an unequivocally better game. The early access version on PC is already a polished experience, with console and mobile versions planned for the future.
Slay the Spire 2 dev hates microtransactions, even though players would definitely pay for them: 'A lot of our players threaten to buy all and any cosmetics we may ever release'
Mega Crit, the developer of Slay the Spire 2, has stated they are against microtransactions, despite player interest in purchasing cosmetics. The game is priced at £19.99/$24.99 and has achieved top seller status on Steam during its early access launch.
Slay the Spire 2 console commands – how to mod the game and get access to the dev menu
This guide explains how to access the developer console in Slay the Spire 2 by modding the game's main .dll file. The console allows players to use commands for testing, such as spawning cards, granting gold, or manipulating combat outcomes. The article notes that this modding process might be subject to change with future game updates.
'We'll Getcha One Day Silksong' — Slay the Spire 2 Dev 'Blown Away' by Enormous Launch as It Joins Steam Top 20 Club - IGN
Slay the Spire 2 has achieved a massive early access launch on Steam, reaching over 574,000 peak concurrent players and breaking into the platform's top 20 most-played games. Developer Mega Crit expressed their gratitude and playfully targeted Hollow Knight: Silksong for future player counts. The studio also confirmed they are against microtransactions in the game.
Slay the Spire 2 hits nearly 575,000 concurrent players, almost beating Silksong's record
Slay the Spire 2 achieved a peak of nearly 575,000 concurrent players on Steam shortly after its Early Access launch, nearly matching the record set by Hollow Knight: Silksong. Mega Crit's sequel has reportedly sold 2.8 million units and generated $55.1 million in revenue. The developer switched to the Godot engine for Slay the Spire 2, citing dissatisfaction with Unity's Runtime Fee policy.
The Daily Grind: How long is too long for early access MMOs?
This article discusses the appropriate length for games to remain in early access, using Valheim's five-year tenure as a prime example. It highlights reader sentiment that extended early access can be detrimental to the system and questions how long is too long for MMORPGs and multiplayer titles to stay in this development phase.