The creators of CrossCode just released Alabaster Dawn in Early Access

Radical Fish Games has released Alabaster Dawn into Steam Early Access after five years of development. The studio behind the 2018 indie hit CrossCode categorizes its new project as a "world-reviving action-RPG." It looks like a fantastic ARPG. You can also get it in a bundle with CrossCode right now.

CrossCode set a very high bar for modern 2D action RPGs. It combined incredibly tight twin-stick combat with puzzle-heavy dungeons that felt like a hyperactive Super Nintendo game. Radical Fish spent seven years in Early Access refining that title. They built a reputation for massive, transparent updates that completely overhauled game systems based on player feedback. Now they are applying that same iterative approach to Alabaster Dawn. The new game trades the fake MMO-simulation setting of their previous work for a post-apocalyptic fantasy world.

Rebuilding a fallen world

The core gameplay loop revolves around restoration and societal growth. Players enter a ruined landscape to fight back a pervasive curse. As you clear out enemies and explore dungeons, you gather resources to bring back to your settlements. The goal is to watch society develop as you progress. This adds a town-building layer on top of the fast-paced combat the studio is known for.

Games like Dark Cloud and ActRaiser explored similar concepts decades ago. Very few modern indie titles have attempted to merge heavy action combat with permanent world-building. Government grants for video games are becoming more common in Europe, and they often give independent studios the financial runway needed to tackle ambitious mechanics like dynamic town growth.

You probably already own CrossCode

Steam is currently offering a Radical Fish Bundle that packages Alabaster Dawn together with CrossCode. CrossCode is easily one of the best indie RPGs of the last decade. Alabaster Dawn appears to build on that exact foundation with a completely new engine and art style.

The character sprites are taller and the environments have much more vertical depth. The frantic combat pacing is instantly recognizable from the trailer. The new game seems to carry forward that exact blend of brain-teasing dungeon design and reflex-heavy boss encounters.

Five years in the oven

Radical Fish started working on this game five years ago. They have a proven track record of using the Early Access model effectively. CrossCode grew from a barebones HTML5 tech demo into a massive 60-hour adventure through consistent community feedback. Alabaster Dawn is starting from a much stronger technical foundation.

The developers already know how to build complex skill trees and fast-paced boss fights. Their custom engine allows for incredibly smooth performance even when the screen is filled with particle effects and enemies. I am curious to see how the town-building mechanics integrate with the dungeon crawling over the next few updates. The studio has always excelled at making every side quest and resource gathering task feel rewarding. If they can apply that same polish to a town management system, this Early Access period will be very interesting to watch.