Calling all loot goblins and bullet-hell survivors! If you’ve been looking for a reason to cancel your weekend plans, Moonpyre Studio and publisher Grindstone just delivered a massive one. As of today, May 14, 2026, the gates of Hellforged have officially swung wide for a public playtest on Steam.
This isn’t just another dungeon crawler; it’s a high-octane mashup that fuses the frantic, screen-filling chaos of a bullet heaven with the high-stakes tension of an extraction looter.
What is Hellforged?
Imagine the dopamine hit of Vampire Survivors combined with the tactical “get out while you can” anxiety of Escape from Tarkov. In Hellforged, you step into the boots of a survivor from a shattered expedition, tasked with diving into demon-infested maps to reclaim powerful gear.
The catch? Survival isn’t guaranteed, and the loot isn’t yours until you extract.
Key Features to Watch Out For:
- The Mid-Battle Extraction: Unlike traditional roguelites, where you fight until you die, Hellforged introduces a unique risk-vs-reward mechanic. You can choose to extract mid-battle to secure your current haul, or push deeper into the corruption for legendary rewards. One wrong move, and you lose it all.
- Deep Customisation: Through the Eternal Tree (a massive talent system) and the Arsenal, you can influence which upgrades and abilities drop during your run. You aren’t just at the mercy of RNG; you’re building a deck of destruction.
- Class-Based Mayhem: Choose from diverse survivor classes, each with devastating abilities. Whether you prefer a massive mallet for up-close “bonking” or projectile-spitting magic, there’s a build for you.
- Colossal Boss Encounters: If the hundreds of skeleton warriors aren’t enough, you can channel gathered chaos to summon Stygian threats—bosses that test the absolute limits of your build but drop the world’s most overpowered gear.
How to Join the Playtest
The developers are looking for players to help shape the game’s development ahead of its planned Q4 2026 release. Participation is simple:
- Head over to the Hellforged Steam Page.
- Look for the “Join the Hellforged Playtest” section.
- Click “Request Access” to start your descent into the Blackpyre.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to join the developer’s Discord! They are actively looking for feedback through in-game forms to polish the combat, movement, and progression.
Why You Should Care
Developed by the team behind Darfall, Moonpyre Studio is focusing on “deliberate, refined, and rewarding” gameplay. In an era of bloated titles, Hellforged feels like a focused, polished adrenaline shot. Between the satisfying screen clears and the “just one more run” loot grind, it’s a strong contender for your next gaming obsession.
Are you brave enough to stay for the legendary loot, or will you play it safe? The gates are open—go find out.
Find out more here – https://s.team/a/4554250
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