Asterfel, a gothic action RPG inspired by 2000s-era classics, launched its first public playtest today on Steam. The playtest is part of Steam's Medieval Fest, giving players an early look at the faction-driven RPG ahead of its full release.
Players take on the role of a shipwreck survivor stranded on the island of Asterfel, a land fractured by war, corrupted magic, and an awakened ancient god. The setup is classic dark fantasy: a king's mining operations have unleashed mutant creatures and disturbed the dead, while nature and magic spiral out of control across the island.
Three Factions, One Island
Central to Asterfel's structure is a faction system split three ways. The Crown Wardens represent the ruling authority, the Kindred serve as a rebellious opposition, and the Scholars wield magical knowledge. Players can choose to align with one faction or work with all three, with the game framing these allegiances as meaningful to how the story unfolds.
Combat and Progression
On the combat side, Asterfel offers melee, ranged, and magic options. Players can fight with swords, bows, or magical runes for spellcasting, and the game encourages mixing playstyles. Ability upgrades are part of the progression loop alongside resource gathering and gear crafting.
An Open World With Scaling Difficulty
Exploration spans deserts, jungles, and ancient ruins, with enemy difficulty increasing the further players venture from familiar territory. It's a structure that echoes the 2000s RPGs the game draws inspiration from, where wandering into the wrong area too early could mean a quick death.
The playtest is available now on Steam, though no timeline was provided for how long it will remain open. A full release date and pricing have not been announced. Players interested in following development can wishlist the game on its Steam page.