Early Access
Ongoing coverage on Early Access.
Latest coverage
Tears of Metal Early Access Review – Dynasty Worriers
Tears of Metal is an action roguelike that mixes elements of Dynasty Warriors and MMOs, now available in Early Access. While the game boasts impressive style, music, and enjoyable co-op violence, its core gameplay loop and power-up variety feel repetitive, potentially hindering replayability. Developer Paper Cult plans to add more heroes, equipment, and village content.
Halo: Campaign Evolved release times and early access explained
Halo: Campaign Evolved will offer early access five days before its official release on July 28 for players who purchase the premium or collector's editions. Release times for both early access and the standard edition are consistent across different regions, starting at 8 am PST on the West Coast US. The game will also be available on Game Pass on day one, with pre-order bonuses including weapon and character skins.
NBA 2K27 Tips Off With Three Superstar Cover Athletes
NBA 2K27 will feature three cover athletes: Victor Wembanyama for the Standard Edition, Caitlin Clark for the Deluxe Edition, and Derrick Rose for the Ultra Edition. The game is set to launch on September 4th, 2026, with Early Access beginning August 28th for Deluxe and Ultra editions. The announcement also confirmed platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, alongside the release of the first gameplay trailer on July 28th.
The Daily Grind: What anticipated MMO completely let you down the first time you logged into it?
This article discusses the common experience of anticipating an MMORPG only to be disappointed upon its initial release or during early access. It highlights titles like Book of Travels and Equinox Homecoming as examples of games that failed to meet expectations despite initial hype. The piece invites readers to share their own experiences with letdown MMORPGs.
NHL 27: How to Play Early & Deluxe Edition Contents
NHL 27 is set to launch worldwide on September 11, 2026, with Macklin Celebrini as its youngest cover star. Players can access the game seven days early by purchasing the Deluxe Edition for $99/£99.99, which includes various in-game bonuses. Alternatively, an EA Play subscription offers a 10-hour trial starting during the early access period.
Playing the riff from Smoke on the Water on a cat piano may be possible in composer sim Offbeat, if you've got more musical talent than me
The music composition simulator Offbeat has launched in early access on PC, allowing players to create music using various instruments, including a cat piano. While attempting to recreate famous riffs like Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' proved challenging, the game offers a fun experience for composing custom tunes and fulfilling client requests.
ZeroSpace is an impressively ambitious RTS-RPG featuring a Helldivers 2-inspired Galactic War, but the streamer…
ZeroSpace is an ambitious RTS-RPG that blends base-building and hero units with an RPG campaign and a dynamic Galactic War mode inspired by Helldivers 2. While the early access build shows promise with its streamlined gameplay and engaging campaign objectives, issues with the UI, art direction, and a focus on streamer promotion detract from its potential.
EMPULSE, Splitgate Studio Hit With New Round of Layoffs
1047 Games, the developer behind Splitgate and EMPULSE, has undergone a third round of layoffs, affecting multiple employees including art and QA staff. This follows previous layoffs last year and comes shortly after the release of their new game, EMPULSE, which is currently in Early Access on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The studio continues to support Splitgate: Arena Reloaded despite low player counts on Steam.
Evening Multiplex
Activision released new trailers for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, showcasing Season 05 multiplayer maps and the BlackCell Battle Pass for Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 7. Additionally, SEED has launched in Early Access.
Multiplayer RTS ZeroSpace celebrates early access launch with community events
The multiplayer real-time strategy game ZeroSpace has launched into early access, featuring a 12-mission campaign, co-op modes, survival, and PvP. Starlance Studios is celebrating with community events, including the Galactic War Season Zero and the First Contact Invitational esports tournament with a $13,000 prize pool.
How To Get Halo: Campaign Evolved Early Access
Players can get early access to Halo: Campaign Evolved by pre-ordering the Premium Edition, which includes bonus armor and weapon skins, a digital artbook, and a short story. The Premium Edition costs $69.99, with an upgrade option for $20 for those who pre-ordered the standard version. Early access begins on July 23, with the standard release on July 28, available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 573: Project Demogorgon
The Massively OP Podcast episode 573 covers SpiritVale's early access launch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's Terror of Demogorgon expansion, and the cancellations of Overwatch Stadium and Final Fantasy XIV Mobile. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss Richard Garriott's comments on Ultima and the predictability of MMO experiences.
Gods Death & Reapers maps out new arenas, a party system, and its upcoming early access features
Wolcen Studio has outlined new features for Gods, Death & Reapers, including a party system, new arenas, and maps for upcoming playtests. The early access version will introduce PvE endgame content, female characters, controller support, and more. A specific release timeline has not yet been announced.
Palworld has now hit nearly a million concurrent players since its 1.0 launch
Palworld has achieved nearly one million concurrent players following its official 1.0 launch, reaching a peak of 956,613 players on Steam. Pocketpair's head of communications, John Buckley, expressed surprise at the player interest, noting this surge places the game near the top of Steam's most-played titles.
Controversial ex-blockchain MMO Soulbound Online has officially entered early access
The controversial blockchain-adjacent MMORPG Soulbound Online has officially launched into early access. Developed by SpiderWare, the game is described as a pixel-art action roguelite with 3-player co-op dungeons and an open world for farming and crafting. The launch follows controversy surrounding its origins as a crypto-focused game, with some players accusing the developers of misleading their original community.
How to unlock the Call of Duty Serialized Gilded Ruin Camo in Black Ops 7 and Modern Warfare 4
This guide explains how to unlock the limited-edition Serialized Gilded Ruin Camo in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Modern Warfare 4. Players who pre-order Modern Warfare 4 before July 23, 2026, and complete a challenge to earn 5,000 Skulls across various game modes will be eligible for the unique weapon skin, with the first 100,000 players receiving a serial number.
G-Rebels Early Access
G-Rebels, an arcade combat flight simulator from Reakktor Studios and Senatis, is now available in Early Access on PC via Steam. A playable demo is also available for the game.
Soulbound: Online
Soulbound: Online, an MMORPG from developer SpiderWare, has launched on PC via Steam Early Access. The developers have also posted information regarding monetization, stating that a cosmetics store will be introduced in the near future.
Release Dates/Windows
Drag'N Dungeon has released a trailer and is available for wishlist with a refreshed Steam demo. Elements Destiny has announced its release window, and Pax Autocratica is set to launch in Early Access with a trailer.
Stars Reach says it’s ‘an update or so away’ from early access, promises ‘big chonky updates’ in the future
Sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach is nearing its transition from pre-alpha to alpha status, with the developers aiming for early access soon. Key development focuses include server stability, performance improvements, adding more in-game content like loot and clothing, and refining the game's economic loop. Upcoming updates will feature UI tweaks, new crafting stations, city rebuilding, and progress on the Fae race.
