Why Early Access?

“Kristala is an ambitious title with a significant scope and many features on the development roadmap. We need the community to be active participants in providing feedback on Kristala’s gameplay and mechanics in order to create the most immersive and comprehensive full release.

We've intentionally developed Kristala's seven major gameplay biomes in a way that accommodates an episodic release structure. Those who purchase the game in Early Access will receive a discounted price for the full, premium title as it's developed following the release roadmap below —one small way for us to thank players for having our backs at this initial, early stage of development.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“We plan to be in Early Access for approximately 18 months. Our development roadmap and the feedback we receive from our player base will directly impact how long Kristala remains in Early Access before releasing Version 1.0.

Our overall roadmap for Early Access is designed to accommodate a staggered, episodic release structure, with Chapter 1 included in our initial EA release on June 6th - and the additional 6 Episodes to be gradually released over the course of the next 18 months. Purchasing Early Access at any point prior to Version 1.0's full release grants you access to the entire game for a single purchase price, regardless of how many Episodes are available at the time of purchase.

Each full Episode will include 4 - 12 hours of gameplay, depending on your experience with the ARPG genre and overall interaction with side quests. Detailed content updates will be shared via Steam’s announcement system as new updates are pushed.

Please see the Early Access Release Roadmap graphic included in the main description for the Kristala Steam page for a more detailed breakdown of each Episode and when it can be expected to launch.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“For the Early Access release, we plan to have the core gameplay infrastructure and key features related to combat and exploration implemented.

The full release will include additional level areas, clan characters and corresponding spell trees, weapon types and talents, traversal mechanics, and feline-related skills. It will also include additional boss fights; NPCs and quests; consumables; item, weapon, and armor additions; story items; challenge modes; achievements; end game scenario(s); and other exciting features and functionality. Multiplayer co-op functionality is in the current plans for full game release, and we intend to share detailed updates as we go on all of the above.

We want players to feel truly immersed in the dark fantasy world we've created, which will take time. This immersion will be strengthened the closer we get to a full release.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“Episode 1 of Kristala’s Early Access release includes a gameplay biome known as Dalamase, which is located in Nisarga clan territory (the game’s nature-magic clan), plus the capital city of our nature clan, called Nisar, and your first taste of the Shard Guardian realm, where you'll face off against six challenging and fun Guardian bosses.

Comprised of a series of abandoned fishing villages and remote waterways, Dalamase includes 4 - 12 hours of gameplay, depending on your overall familiarity with the ARPG genre. Here your feline warrior will battle a motley assortment of unique foes—from enemies of the rival rodent species, the Kotakaya, to undead creatures risen from the grave and mutated monsters suffering from a dark curse cast upon Ailur by some unknown hand.

The game begins with a full character creation tool, allowing you customize your character in various ways, including:

• Several different fur patterns (or no fur at all) and fur lengths
  
• Two distinct body and voice types
  
• Two playable clan options ( (the nature-magic-wielding Nisarga clan and Ailur’s necromancers, the Myrtuna clan)
  
• Six starting classes, which determine your starting stat loadout and starting weapon/armor set

Your clan choice determines the type of magic you'll level throughout the game, as well as the color of your character’s eyes, which is tied to your clan magic. The three available Weapon Types in our Early Access release include Claw Enhancements, a Greatsword, and a Longsword / Shield combo for each clan, with more to come in future Chapters.

Once you’ve chosen your character and begun your journey through Dalamase, you’ll interact with the Menu via checkpoints known as Ellarial Fonts to update your character’s stats. This is done by cashing in collected XP, called Kris. Access your clan’s Spell Tree menu at these Ellarial Fonts, cash in collected Kris Pearls in exchange for Spells, and access the Travel menu to warp between the different Fonts you find along the way.

Traverse Ailur in various ways using parkour-like skills—from climbing vines and streetlamps to access rooftops and cliff edges to using tree branches and poles to swing your way across Dalamase’s treacherous forest territory below. Use height to your advantage for aerial assassinations and stealth to sneak your way through the world and land executing lethal critical attacks.

You'll meet many spirited and unique NPCs along your journey who will issue various quests as you go. Visit the capital city of Nisar to engage with NPCs and upgrade weapons with Brutus the resident Blacksmith. In addition to two boss fights within Dalamase proper, a third can be accessed by traveling to the Kristal Santuary in Nisar, when prompted, to transport yourself to the otherworldly Guardian Realm.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Yes, a reduced price is currently reflected for those who support the game during the Early Access phase of development. Purchasing Early Access at any point prior to Version 1.0's full release grants access to the entire game (all 7 Episodes) for a one-time purchase price, regardless of how many Episodes are available in Early Access at the time of purchase.

As new Episodes are released and more content is available, the Early Access price may incrementally increase for new purchasers of the game only. If you have already purchased Kristala at any point while the game is in Early Access, you will NOT have to pay again as more Episodes are released.

When the full game has been developed and released, a final price will be reflected for new players who haven't already purchased the game while it's in Early Access.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“The involvement of our community is paramount to us, and feedback from our player base helps us directly shape the course of the game's development, especially while in Early Access. We invite our dedicated community to join the Kristala Discord and share ongoing feedback! https://discord.gg/kristala

Additionally, we invite you to use the convenient bug-reporting tool available in the pause menu to alert us of any and all bugs you come across as we continue development on Kristala.”