Witchfire, the RPG shooter from Polish indie developer The Astronauts, has reached an impressive milestone, surpassing 500,000 units sold since its Early Access launch two years ago. This atmospheric game continues to captivate players with its unique blend of intense combat and deep lore, drawing them into a world teeming with dark fantasy elements.
The Reckoning Update Unleashed
A significant update called ‘The Reckoning’ has been released, enhancing the Witchfire experience by incorporating melee combat into the mix. Players can now wield four new melee weapons, such as the Morgenstern, Katar, and Shield, each offering distinct abilities that can be seamlessly integrated with gunplay. The update also introduces three new firearms, including the eagerly awaited triple-barrel shotgun, the Tribunal, which promotes a dynamic run-and-gun style with powerful charged shots. Combining both melee and ranged combat, players can now unleash devastation with a blend of close-quarters ferocity and ranged precision.
New Features and Improvements
The Reckoning update also brings a shooting range complete with an interactive bestiary, allowing players to test their skills and try out different loadouts. Witchfire is now fully compatible with the Steam Deck, and new accessibility options such as font size adjustments and an arachnophobia filter have been added. Additionally, the extraction process from expeditions has been reworked, and two new gameplay modifiers are set to challenge even the most experienced players.
A Journey of Dark Fantasy
Witchfire combines RPG shooter elements with roguelite progression and Souls-like challenge, placing players in the role of a Preyer, an undead assassin powered by Witchfire. The mission is to defeat the Witch of the Black Sea and her minions. As players embark on various expeditions, they face meaningful choices, building distinct play styles from an evolving arsenal of weapons, spells, and artifacts. The Hermitorium serves as a base for crafting and strategizing, providing a hub for players to delve deeper into the unfolding story.
It’s been a long road for The Astronauts since they first introduced the game over eight years ago. Although originally planned for an early access debut in 2022, the game was delayed to incorporate an open-world experience. The full release of Witchfire is now set for 2026, following delays in earlier updates. Meanwhile, players can enjoy the early access version at a discounted rate on both Steam and the Epic Games Store.