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The best games are the ones that aren't even out yet — but you can get a sneak peek at these titles! They're available in "Early Access," which means that they aren't quite finished yet but are substantial enough that players can enjoy. If you can handle a few extra bugs, you'll get the game at a discount.
The difference between an Early Access game and a game in its Beta phase is that people are paying to get an Early Access game, whereas Beta games are usually free to a select number of people. If you have a few extra bucks left over in your budget this month, consider picking up these spectacular titles!
Updated July 28th, 2023, by Gabrielle Huston: Early Access games are a fantastic way to play good, cheap indie titles, but they're also constantly in flux. We've updated this article to keep it fresh by removing games that have moved out of Early Access and adding new games that you should check out!
Phasmophobia
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Horror games aren't usually the kind of game you'd think would be in early access, but why not? Phasmophobia is a co-op horror experience, in which you and up to 3 friends try to solve a paranormal mystery! As an added bonus, the game can be played cross-platform and even in VR.
Supposedly, each time you play the game it will be different since there are more than 10 types of ghosts that can appear. It boasts a bunch of cool features for ghost-enthusiasts, like the fact that the ghosts are actually listening to your conversations and that you can use lots of different ghost-hunting tech, including Night Vision and EMF Readers.
Thrive
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In this sandbox simulation game, the player must raise their unique species on an alien planet. The planet is full of competing species, though, so you'll need to fight to find your niche and survive.
Thrive might remind you a little bit of the 2008 game Spore, and that's for good reason! Thrive just has a much more in-depth system for evolving at the cellular level. From the reviews, it seems that people with an interest in biology are especially enjoying this game, and that the developers clearly have a deep understanding of biology themselves.
Craftopia
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Craftopia is an open-world survival indie game that's available in English, Japanese, and Simplified or Traditional Chinese. It's had some bad reviews due to misunderstandings. Fans thought the game was being dumped by the company, but they just announced another game that will be worked on by a totally separate team.
Gameplay will involve all your favorite hobbies from other cozy games like Stardew Valley or Minecraft, including hunting, farming, spell-casting, and exploring! Though reviewers have noted that it's a bit clunky and/or buggy in places, they usually insist that it's to be expected of an early access title and that the time they spent enjoying it was still worth the price.
Diplomacy Is Not An Option
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It's exactly what it sounds like. You may be the King of the castle here, but you're not up for friendly negotiation. Instead, you'll spend your time in Diplomacy Is Not An Option defeating the hordes of enemies attacking you.
It takes elements from lots of genres, including simulation, tower defense, and action games. There are lots of things to keep track of, so it's got a low skill bar, but a high skill ceiling - the perfect mix!
Ready Or Not
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Ready or Not is a first-person shooter that asks you to take on difficult tactical situations as a member of a SWAT unit. You not only need to handle whatever threat is on-hand, but also get civilians to safety and choose the right gear for the job.
Ready or Not focuses heavily on the realism in the game, with authentic weapons and equipment to choose from. There's not necessarily one right way to approach a situation; there are always different angles to consider. You can take on missions alone and let AI control the rest of your team, or play cooperatively with friends.
ToGather: Island
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ToGather is a lesser-known early access title. This survival game asks you to journey across a series of islands covered with puzzles. The developers describe it as a "science fantasy" world since you'll travel alongside a "golem" (a little robot) while also encountering mystical and wonderous things on your adventure.
As the player, you collect blueprints for crafting items, search for valuable materials to advance, and upgrade your golem buddy. While ToGather is exclusively single-player for the moment, multiplayer is expected to arrive shortly, and the game looks like even more fun in co-op!
Smalland: Survive the Wilds
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An open world can feel pretty overwhelming to take on - so imagine how it must feel when you're the size of a ladybug! In Smalland, you must face the immense world with bravery and determination in order to survive.
Creatures you could usually crush beneath your heel will become a real challenge; you're the smallest, now, and a likely candidate for a midday snack. It's not all bad, though! Some creatures can be tamed and ridden vast distances, for example!
Valheim
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If there's one game on this list that you've already heard of, it's probably Valheim. This title soared to be among Steam's best sellers recently! It asks you to play as a Viking in a procedurally generated open world. Everything from hunting and base building all the way up to the end goal of the game: defeating 5 bosses inspired by Norse mythology.
No need to be intimidated; the survival in Valheim isn't as hard as in other titles (like Rust or Ark: Survival Evolved). Resource gathering and the other survival elements don't overshadow the other gameplay aspects that players love, namely, the mystery and discovery of players having their own unique experiences in each playthrough.
Becastled
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Are you, like so many of us, entranced by medieval castles? Then you'll be thrilled to hear that Becastled is a game that allows you to build and defend your very own fantasy castle! Build your base and the surrounding village from the ground up with the help of your workers and defend the "Kingdom of the Sun" from the opposing "Moon Warriors."
You'll need to train an army and learn to survive against sieges from your enemies. Reviews warn to be careful of optimization problems (using way too much of your CPU) and a few bugs, especially during the night phases. But they usually still enjoyed the game, regardless.
Timberborn
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Timberborn is a city builder game that's full of beavers. Intrigued? After the fall of humanity, beavers have become the dominant species on Earth and must build up their society to thrive. Since you're playing as, well, beavers, the city-building process focuses on things that other city builders don't, like maintaining the rivers and using timber as a primary resource.
There are so many detailed aspects of the beavers' lives that you'll find it hard to get bored - you need to keep them healthy, make plans for different seasons, and organize work during the day and night. However, if you get so good that just running the cities has become boring, there's also a map editor! You can create your own landscapes, share them online, and use other people's maps in your own games.
Fabledom
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These days, who doesn't love a wholesome city-builder? Cozy games have practically become their own genre, and Fabledom has brought everything you love about them together in one package. It's set in a medieval land, with just a sprinkling of fantasy magic to taste.
Here, you're in charge of collecting the resources needed to evolve a small settlement into an entire kingdom. Your growth will also mean change, so you'll need to build an army, manage diplomatic relations, adapt to the changing seasons, and find love for your King or Queen.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
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Disney Dreamlight Valley is a simulation exploration game featuring all of your favourite Disney characters! It will be getting a full release in 2023 but, for now, is in Early Access while the programmers fix the remaining bugs and problems.
This title is perfect for cozy, peaceful gamers. You can become buddies with characters like Goofy, Remy, Donald Duck, Ariel, and more, go fishing out in Moana's boat, and customize your avatar with unique merch!
Last Epoch
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Last Epoch is a hack-and-slash aRPG that will keep you coming back. It feels a lot like Diablo, so if you're a fan of that series and looking for something new, it couldn't hurt to try this! Fans of the game praise it for being less complicated than Path of Exile, but more advanced than Diablo 3.
You'll spend your time leveling into a "mastery class" and defeating epic monsters for the best loot you can find. And, if you're a lover of lore, there's plenty of content to sink your teeth into. It takes place in a world called Eterra, where you must travel back in time to fight off the Void, a corrupting force that has tainted the future... unless you can do something about it.
30XX
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30XX is a follow-up to the popular game 20XX that's only available in early access right now. It's a platformer with fluid movement controls that developers say are inspired by Mega Man X and other titles like it, while providing the replayability of roguelikes, citing the Binding of Isaac and Dead Cells in particular. Games often over-exaggerate their controls, but the reviews confirm these claims. Players adore how smooth it feels and the ability to pull off maneuvers that could only be described as godly.
This title comes with a level editor for players to use as well as multiplayer (local and online) for those nights when your friends are all looking for something new to try! Besides that, fans will adore the adorable graphics and incredible music built into the gameplay.
Dune: Spice Wars
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Dune: Spice Wars is indeed based in the same universe as the 2021 film and the 1965 novel, in case you were wondering. While it didn't shatter our expectations, it has a solid build to keep you invested moment-to-moment.
This is a 4X strategy game, which means players of Civilization, Stellaris, and others will be familiar with the gameplay loop of expanding your borders and taking over your enemies by the easiest means, all while balancing the happiness and quality of life for your citizens.
Project Zomboid
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Project Zomboid is a fun indie survival horror game! It describes itself as an 'open-ended zombie-infested sandbox' where the player must fight to see how long they can survive. Multiplayer is a feature, of course, including online and four-player local split screen co-op.
The people behind the project are clearly passionate; they post weekly newsletters on Thursdays they affectionately call 'Thursdoids' and they often update the game with new features to keep fans entertained and happy. Why not join their community?
Core Keeper
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If you've always been an adventurer at heart, Core Keeper is for you. When the game starts, you've just woken up deep underground. Your surroundings are clearly ancient, but you need to focus on your own survival! You'll find relics and resources as you explore the underground network of caves and mine out new paths. To keep yourself alive, you'll build a base, and as you explore further, you'll begin to unravel the mystery.
Core Keeper is developed by Pugstorm; their previous game was the adorable Radical Rabbit Stew. Core Keeper's publisher, Fireshine, also published well-known titles like Descenders, Overcooked! 2, Lies of P, and Dredge.
Satisfactory
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Satisfactory is an open-world base-building game designed by Coffee Stain Studios. The name is a play on 'factory' since you spend your time in-game conquering nature and building factories to utilize an alien planet's abundant natural resources.
Extensive systems of conveyor belts move items from place to place, and it's really satisfying (pun intended) to see all your hard work pay off. There's a co-op mode, too, so you can work with friends to build the greatest factory ever, or each build your own and compete!
Slime Rancher 2
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The original Slime Rancher game launched first in early access, and the sequel is no different! In their description on Steam, they say that the game couldn't have become the hit that it was without the support and feedback of fans. It's expected to stay in early access form for at least 18 months.
Whether you played the original Slime Rancher or not, you're bound to adore this colorful, lighthearted game. It's stuffed to the brim with wonder and has no shortage of good reviews to prove it, many of which point to how streamlined and optimized it is compared to its predecessor.
Sons Of The Forest
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In Sons of the Forest, you're sent to track down a missing billionaire. 'Sure,' you think to yourself, 'a couple of days on a nice island, I find this rich guy, I'm rolling in cash because I saved his life, it's all in a day's work.' Little do you know that the island is infested with cannibals. Yes, really.
With no help from off the island, you're forced to survive a true hellscape. This is a horror game through and through, so don't check it out if you're sensitive to gore. For those who like a thrill, though, you couldn't find anything else quite so brutal.
Dyson Sphere Program
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A "Dyson Sphere" may sound familiar to you. It's the name of a hypothetical way for humanity to never run out of energy by building a giant sphere around a star, letting people live on the surface of this sphere, and gaining energy through solar electricity. This early access title allows you to take control of building your own Dyson Sphere!
Each universe you spawn into is procedurally generated, providing you with a unique experience unlike any other player's. You'll need to use the resources at your disposal to build your Dyson Sphere up — your goal is to harness enough energy to power the latest in AI technology. There are planets to explore, a sphere to customize, and an empire to manage in this brand new title.
Against The Storm
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Against the Storm is a city building game with a stunning art style and a lot of heart. It takes place in a dark fantasy setting where an apocalypse has ruined the world. As the Queen's Viceroy, you're supposed to be conquering the wild where past civilizations once ruled.
It's a little different because it's a rouguelite city building game, which means you'll carry progress forward from each failed attempt to the next. Your people will not be easy to control, harsh weather will make building complicated, and the blightrot is ever looming.
Crab Champions
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Have you ever heard two more alluring words in your life than Crab Champions? It was made by the developer of Crab Rave. This is a third-person roguelike shooter game where you defeat other enemies and survive as long as you possibly can! It works by yourself, or with up to three additional players.
This game is clearly made with love, with a variety of unique maps to explore and a unique soundtrack to give your fighting the intensity it deserves. Plus, in a world where most games are obsessed with taking your money, you'll be glad to hear that there are no microtransactions or loot boxes to lure you in; it's just pure, clean fun.
The Outlast Trials
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The Outlast Trials is a horror game that's genuinely bone-chilling, so proceed with caution. It's set during the Cold War, where you play as a test subject recruited by the Murkoff Corporation. Actually, The Outlast Trials is a prequel to Outlast and Outlast 2, two survival horror games made by the same developer: Red Barrels.
The Murkoff Corporation is testing brainwashing and mind control methods, and you have to try and survive their bizarre experiment. There are "therapies" that you need to pass in order to be released back into the world. As an added bonus, you can take on the game solo or in a team of up to four people.
The Wandering Village
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The Wandering Village is a city-building simulator and resource management game with a twist! Your entire civilization of nomads lives on the back of a moving, living, breathing creature called the Onbu. You'll need to adapt quickly.
As with so many of these games, there are a lot of different ways to play. However, you'll ultimately have to balance the needs of your people, the needs of the Onbu, and the requirements of the ever-changing environment as the Onbu wanders.