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 Day 1 receive a vastly 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 a 1.0.

Our overall roadmap for Early Access is designed to accommodate an episodic release structure, with Episode 1 featured in our initial EA release on June 6th. The additional 6 Episodes will be gradually released over the course of the next 18 months.

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). 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 in Dalamase, your feline warrior will face off against 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 that's been 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)
  
• Four starting classes, which determine your starting stat loadout and starting weapon and 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 two available Weapon Types in our Early Access release include Claw Enhancements and a Longsword / Shield combo for each clan, with more to come in future updates.

Once you’ve chosen your character and begun your journey across Dalamase, you’ll be able to interact with the menu via checkpoints known as Ellarial Fonts to update your character’s stats. This is done by cashing in your collected XP, called Kris. You can also 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 in order 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 your innate feline stealth to sneak your way through the world and pounce on unsuspecting enemies while executing lethal critical attacks.”

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

“Yes, there will be a reduced Early Access price for those who support the game while we add additional content during the Early Access period. Purchasing the first episode on Day 1 gets you access to the entire game (7 full episodes in total) at a discounted price, and you only pay once for the full title.

As new Episodes are released and more content is available, the price will incrementally increase for new purchasers of the game. Once the full game is developed and released, the final, full price of the game will be reflected for new players.”

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 will help directly shape the course of the game's development while in Early Access. We invite our community to join the Kristala Discord and share their ongoing feedback! https://discord.gg/kristala

We also invite players to use the bug reporting tool in Kristala's pause menu to ensure we are able to address any and all bugs players come across as we finish development of Kristala.”