Alabaster Dawn Early Access begins, rebuilding a fallen world

GAMING NEWS Cleonidas - 2 hours ago

Early access

Following the success of CrossCode, Radical Fish Games returns with Alabaster Dawn, a new project that aims to push the studio’s ambitions further—both in scale and in depth. Set to launch in Early Access on May 7, 2026 for PC, the game marks a clear evolution for the indie developer.

A new project from Radical Fish Games expands on CrossCode’s legacy

Rather than starting from scratch, Alabaster Dawn builds on the foundation established by CrossCode—a title widely praised for its tightly designed systems and intricate dungeon structure. That pedigree carries weight. This doesn’t feel like a side project or an experiment, but a deliberate step forward from a team that already knows what it does well.

That sense of ambition is reflected in the game’s scope. The Early Access version is expected to offer around 10 hours of gameplay, covering up to the midpoint of Chapter 2, while the full release is planned to span roughly 40 hours across seven chapters. With an Early Access period estimated at around two years, Alabaster Dawn is clearly positioned as a long-term project, one that will likely evolve alongside player feedback.

The story unfolds in Tiran Sol, a world left in ruins following the rise of Nyx. What remains is a desolate wasteland where both gods and humanity have all but disappeared. Players step into the role of Juno, an “Outcast Chosen,” tasked with restoring the world, lifting its curse, and uncovering the truth behind the vanished deities. The tone leans firmly into dark fantasy, with an undercurrent of epic storytelling—an area where Radical Fish Games has already proven its strengths.

Visually, the game adopts a 2.5D approach, blending pixel art with 3D perspectives. While the retro influence is immediately recognizable, Alabaster Dawn distinguishes itself through the quality of its animation work. Movement feels fluid, attacks carry a tangible sense of impact, and elemental effects are clearly defined. It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t just make the game look better—it directly enhances how it plays, especially in a system built around action.

That said, Alabaster Dawn doesn’t aim to be a pure high-speed action game in the vein of Devil May Cry. Instead, it settles into a more measured rhythm. Combat remains engaging, with four elements, eight weapon types, and dedicated skill trees, but it avoids overwhelming the player with relentless pacing. Just as importantly, puzzle-solving and dungeon design are tightly woven into the experience. Each area functions as more than a combat arena, encouraging players to observe, interact, and think their way forward. It’s an approach that clearly carries over the DNA of CrossCode, while also drawing from Kingdom Hearts to broaden its action-oriented design.

On the development side, the project began after the final DLC for CrossCode, initially under the name Project Terra. Since then, the team has rebuilt the game’s engine using TypeScript and WebGL, signaling a shift toward a more scalable, long-term technical foundation. Development has remained relatively smooth, with no major delays reported, and the 2025 Steam demo received strong positive feedback—an encouraging sign as the game approaches Early Access.

With a proven track record behind it and a clear step up in ambition, Alabaster Dawn has the potential to become Radical Fish Games’ most significant project to date. Its long-term success will ultimately depend on how well the team manages its extended Early Access phase, but even at this stage, it already stands out as one of the more promising indie action RPGs on the horizon. Be sure to visit the official website for more details, and don’t forget to follow our price comparison platform to purchase Alabaster Dawn at the best possible price.