A horde-survival roguelite with the build depth of a full ARPG. Over a run you'll take a character from single-digit hits to millions of damage per second, through choices that change what your spells do, not just how hard they hit.

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Early Access Game

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Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“While the game already has its core gameplay elements established and a large amount of content, the full scope and vision of the game will take a lot more time to achieve. Early Access provides a way both for players to enjoy the game as it is now and to shape the future of the game. Taking player feedback into account during the development process will result in a much more refined game than if the development was done without such engagement.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Most likely between one and two years. It's possible that this is extended if there are major new systems or reworks deemed necessary to add to the current plan before full release.”

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

“The core gameplay and major game systems are implemented and already have enough content to provide up to hundreds of hours of engagement, but there is a lot to be added for the full version:
  • More starting character choices, with each one providing new and unique interactions with game mechanics or supplementing different playstyles
  • More enemies & bosses, with distinct behaviors and abilities
  • More alternate routes to progress through the game
  • More spells and spell domains
  • More character advancement choices (level upgrades and talents)
  • More spell aspects and upgrades for them
  • Expanding the itemization system and crafting options
  • More consumable items
  • More map features & objectives
  • More intermission events
  • More secrets and puzzles
  • More meta-progression unlocks and achievements

Note that all of these types of additions are not just more of the same things that already exist with different numbers or appearances. A lot of effort is put into each piece of new content to ensure it provides new ways to interact with other game elements or allows leaning into certain playstyles that don't have enough support, or other ways to make sure the variety offered is meaningful.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The core systems are implemented and have quite a bit of content and depth to them already:
  • Single player or co-op with up to 4 players
  • 13 playable stages (some being on alternate routes), with each having a special boss or twist to it
  • Four characters, each having a unique trait that enables or enhances certain playstyles or builds
  • Interact with various map features and objectives
  • Put together a build choosing from up to 55 spells, each with differentiating mechanics and unique upgrades
  • 39 spell aspects, that can fundamentally alter how a spell functions or grant access to build-enabling mechanics, and have their own special upgrades
  • 49 character talents and many more upgrades to tailor your build to your playstyle and invent new synergies
  • 13 item categories, 54 different items and 58 groups of item affixes, not counting unique item modifiers
  • Face 5 different archetypes of enemies that can have various modifiers on them and different wave patterns
  • 10 unique bosses with multiple move sets
  • Interactive meta-progression that further allows customizing the difficulty and choices available in the game
  • Secrets, puzzles, events and more

This easily allows for putting up to several hundred hours into the game, and even then there should still be new things to try out due to the depth of the game's mechanics and their interactions with each other.”

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

“Most likely. As development progresses and more content is added, the price may be adjusted to reflect that. This would probably happen at the completion of major roadmap milestones.”

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

“For active discussions and extended feedback, the game's discord and the Steam forums will be the best place to get involved. Any and all feedback is welcome and will make a difference. Although we can't always be available, we hope to respond to any feedback, questions, or issues, within a few hours or up to a day depending on the circumstances.”
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About This Game

Crucible of the Forgotten is a horde-survival roguelite with the build depth of a full ARPG. Your spells aim and cast themselves — your job is movement, positioning, and above all the build. Over a run you'll take a character from single-digit hits to millions of damage per second, through choices that change what your spells do, not just how hard they hit.

If you've wished a survivors-style game had the buildcrafting of Path of Exile or Tales of Maj'Eyal, this is that game.

BUILDS WITH TRUE DEPTH

Combine 55 spells, over 35 spell-transforming aspects, hundreds of upgrades and talents, and equipment with its own modifier and crafting systems. The things that modify your spells are themselves buildable: aspects level up, item modifiers come in tiers, and items gain experience of their own. Aspects rewrite how a spell behaves: drain life with it, retaliate when you're struck, or conjure mirror images that cast it for you. A spell that repeats itself can learn to fire again wherever its first hit kills. Every layer interacts with the others, so theorycrafting is more than half the game: plan a build, watch it come online — or watch it brick, and learn why. Every character can be saved to Remembrance, so you can study exactly what worked and what didn't.

SURVIVE TOGETHER

Play solo or in co-op with up to 4 players in one shared world. Experience is shared by the whole party, group story choices are settled by vote, and an unlockable modifier lets allies bring the fallen back even during stages. Several build choices reach your allies — healing, shielding, and empowering the group — so a support-leaning build is a genuine option.

A CHALLENGE WORTH BUILDING FOR

World modifiers shape each run, and they cost points to enable; raising the difficulty tier is what earns you more to spend, and the game pays you back for the stakes you take on. Nearly every stage ends in a boss that will test your build and your skill; a few lucky picks won't carry you to the top.

UNLOCK NEW WAYS TO PLAY

Meta progression expands your options and lets you lean into your own playstyle. 64 unlockables earned through in-game achievements add new run-starting choices for each character, new ways to shape and spend resources mid-run, and new world modifiers to layer onto your next attempt. Most change how a run plays rather than just adding power — mastery buys you more control over each run, and more control feeds new builds.

EXPLORE A FORGOTTEN WORLD

Between stages, story events steeped in dark fantasy and occult flavor offer power at a price. Hidden stages, secrets, and mechanics you won't see on your first run keep even veterans discovering new things.

Key Features

  • Horde-survival action with the mechanical depth of an ARPG

  • Singleplayer or co-op with up to 4 players — shared XP, group votes, party synergy, revives

  • 4 characters with unique traits that enhance different play styles

  • 55 spells, over 35 aspects, and hundreds of upgrades, talents, and item modifiers that interact to produce wildly different builds

  • 7 difficulty tiers and 13 world modifiers — harder tiers buy you more modifiers per run

  • 64 unlocks that open new run options and customization, most of them new rules rather than raw power

  • 30+ events with meaningful — and sometimes dangerous — choices

  • Every character can be saved, so you can study what worked

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

Tools making use of AI were used in some phases of the production of some of the in-game assets.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10
    • Processor: Intel Core i5-12600 or equivalent
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: GeForce GTX 1060 or equivalent
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 500 MB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10
    • Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K or equivalent
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM
    • Graphics: GeForce RTX 2060 or equivalent
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 500 MB available space
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