Early Access games are a mixed bag, and you often have to wade through countless duds to find the elusive diamond in the rough. That’s not to say Early Access is bad, but you can waste money on projects that will never deliver what’s promised.
If you want to play some promising titles before their official 1.0 releases, here are our picks for the ten best Early Access titles worth playing right now.
10Palworld
A Shining Example
WHERE TO PLAY
Palworldtook the gaming world by storm when it was released back in January 2024. While some quickly pointed out similarities toPokemon, the gameplay couldn’t be more different.
Palworldis asurvival crafting game, complete with hunger management and base building.Capturing Pals to help manage your settlement is addictive, and you may use boss battles to track your progression.
Pocket Pair has created an impressive open world, and it’s ripe for exploring, with plenty of secrets for those looking for them.
PalworldIS rough around the edges, but it’s to be expected of titles with the Early Access moniker. Since launch, we’ve had multiple updates,including Raids, and the content shows no sign of stopping any time soon.
A Sequel To A Masterpiece
Hades 2is a gorgeousstory-driven rogue-liteand sequel to the belovedHadesfrom 2020.
The title already sports phenomenal voice acting and the polish you’d expect from a 1.0 release. If you’ve played the original, you’ll feel right at home withHades 2, and there are already several notable upgrades.
Meta-progression is satisfyingly fleshed out, as are the new combat mechanics. Severalfan-favorite characters make an appearance, and the newcomers are superb additions to Hades lore.
Supergiant Games traditionally steer clear of sequels, but the early access offering forHades 2proves the studio is more than up to the task.
8Dark and Darker
Extraction Shooter Meets D&D
Dark and Darker
There’s an over-saturated market forExtraction Shootersall wanting to be the nextEscape From Tarkov.
Dark and Darkertakes the Extraction Shooter formula and flips the scriptby adding monsters, fantasy classes, and magic into the mix.
Exploring dank dungeons is tense and perilous, and the allure of top-tier loot forces you to take risks. Escaping a raid with your friends against all odds is one of the most rewarding feelings reserved for those brave enough to pursue it. There are multiple ways to build your character, and it’sa nice change from generic soldiers.
Dark and Darkerisbrutally unforgiving, as expected from the genre. If you’re willing to suffer through the new player experience, there’s a lot to love in this unusual entry.
7Project Zomboid
An Unrivaled Zombie Survival Sim
Project Zomboid
Project Zomboidmay hold the title for thelongest time in Early Access. The game has technically been playable since 2011 and growing ever since.
Zomboidis a gritty Zombie Survival simulator, although I use “survival” lightly.You’ll die a lot inProject Zomboid, and you can succumb to the Zombie horde in countless creative ways.
This is a game wherethe journey is more important than the destination. Players are given endless ways to approach every scenario, and no two runs are the same.
If you want to put your post-apocalyptic survival skills to the ultimate test,Project Zomboidis in a league of its own.
Blurring The Lines
Bodycammade headlines during its Early Access launch in June 2024 thanks to itsdistinct graphics style.
The title is a first-person shooter at its core but through the lens of a body-mounted camera. Thevisuals almost resemble real life, andBodycamoffers an immersion level we’ve never seen in the FPS genre before.
Thanks to the camera angle, movement and combat take a while to get used to. Still,this is a refreshing take on shooters, and that doesn’t happen often.
Bodycamis an experimental pick, as there’s no telling how the game will hold a player base. It’s the beauty of Early Access for better and for worse.
5Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Rock And Stone!!!
Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor
Deep Rock Galacticis arguably one of thebest co-op indie gameson the market, with a story ripe for expansion.
Deep Rock Galactic:Survivormorphs the series into atop-down Bullet-Heavenin the same vein asVampire Survivors. Fans of the original will enjoy all the quips and references on top of the accessible gameplay.
Bullet Heaven enjoyers will love the title as it’s well-polished with a satisfying progression loop.
Curiously,Deep Rock Galactic: Survivoris only single-player. Still, if you enjoy the genre, this is a superb high-budget title to add to your collection.
4Arena Breakout Infinite
An Accessible Extraction Shooter
Arena Breakout: Infinite
The Extraction Shooter genre is dominated byEscape From Tarkov. If you’re looking for an alternative to Battlestate Games' juggernaut, let me introduce the new kid on the block.
Arena BreakoutInfinite is a brutal first-person shooter, offeringthe highest highs and lowest lows. Losing a backpack of top-tier loot really stings, but you forget that pain when you’re the one who comes out on top.
An overwhelming amount of gear and weapons is available, but many mechanics feel surprisingly streamlined.
On that note,Arena Breakout Infiniteispretty well optimizedandeven has a console release plannedwhen the Early Access period ends.
WhileArena Breakout Infiniteis free to play, it does havesome unpopular monetization options. You have nothing to lose by trying it, but it’s not for everyone.
3Death Must Die
Vampire Survivors Meets Hades
Death Must Die
The Bullet Heaven genre is thriving, but plenty of forgettable titles are in the endless sea of new releases.
Death Must Dieis a welcome exception to this rule, witha fully-voiced castof charismatic characters.
Like the best Bullet Heaven games, the progression loop is wonderfully satisfying.Death is inevitable, but you constantly chase the next upgrade or unlock, and there’s always a new goal to shoot for.
Character stories are refreshingly fleshed-out, andyou will want to chat with everyonein your base after each failed attempt at beating Death.
2Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
A Tactical Title Laced With Complexity
Door Kickers 2: Task Force North
Door Kickers 2: Task Force Northis a mil-sim at its core but with a top-down camera angle. You control your squad from above and take on tasks like HVT extractions and hostage situations.
You canemploy real-world strategiesto your gameplay as you storm enemy compounds. Rushing through doors unprepared is a surefire way to take casualties, and you’re encouraged to play methodically.
To that end,you can pause the action anytimeto review your tactical options. There are plenty of ways to customize your squad, and planning your raids is impressively addictive.
Door Kickers 2may not look like much based on the screenshot, but it offers a unique, engaging experience when you get into it. It’stremendously satisfying when your plans work out,and it is a refreshing take on a genre usually reserved for a first-person perspective.
1Phasmophobia
A Lesson In Group Hysteria
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobiais aterrifying co-op horror titlewhere you work as a team to identify what entity is causing mischief across several haunted locations. It’s easily the scariest title on this list and arguablyone of the best horror gameson the market.
You have a wide range of tools at your disposal and need nerves of steel to get the job done.Phasmophobiaputs on a masterclass in atmospheric horror, and the game eveninteracts with your microphone.
You can talk to the entity if you’re brave enough, and your whole group will need their thinking caps on to solve the case.
Phasmophobiaoffers a unique blend of horror, tension, and detective work. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the experience is unforgettable with the right group.
