This dark fantasy action RPG from Moon Studios, the developer of the Ori series, has been in Steam Early Access. A major free update titled “Together” added four-player co-op in early 2026, drawing a wave of new players. The game’s painterly art style, inspired by artists such as Caravaggio, is a dramatic backdrop for a world that is relentlessly unforgiving. Combat is stamina-based and deliberate, and every resource matters. This guide focuses on the critical first few hours to help new players avoid fatal mistakes and establish their footing.
The Shallows: Gather Everything
The game opens with the player character washed ashore on a beach. The immediate reaction might be to follow the quest marker, but the first priority is a thorough search of the starting area, known as the Shallows or Sacrament’s Gate. Scattered chests and hidden corners contain essential tools. A Woodcutter’s Axe and a Pickaxe are non-negotiable finds. The axe is for chopping trees to get Wood, and the pickaxe is for mining ore from deposits. These early tools should be kept even when equipment space fills up. Everything along the path—timber chunks, stone, fungi, basic cooking ingredients—should be collected. The town building system that unlocks later will require a huge quantity of these items.
The First Boss: Warrick the Torn
The path to the main city is blocked by the first real challenge, the boss “Warrick the Torn,” encountered just outside the city gates. This fight has a pattern. He unleashes a long, multi-hit combo before pausing briefly. That pause is the safe window to land one or two hits before retreating. A guaranteed drop from this fight is a unique resource that permanently increases the player’s equipment slots. This drop is a one-time reward and must be picked up before entering the city.
Weapon Choice: Feel Matters
Once in the city, players will begin finding or buying their first weapons. Identical weapon types can have subtly different attack animations. A new weapon with superior damage stats should be tested against the air first. If the swing speed or animation lock feels cumbersome, it is better to stick with a weaker but more comfortable weapon until finding one that feels right.
A consistent pick is the two-handed Greatsword. Its strength lies not in damage numbers, but in its low stat requirements and reliable special attack pattern, which allows for a simple hit-and-run tactic against almost any enemy. For a more aggressive tactic, a Dual Dagger setup is highly lethal, though it demands close-range combat. A different path, focusing on Faith, would use a Plague Staff, though its build path is less straightforward, requiring a very different stat investment. The early game is not the time to pursue an optimized end-game build; its purpose is simply survival.
City Building: A Clear Priority
Upon entering Sacrament, the central hub, the player faces many dilapidated structures that can be restored. The choice is straightforward. The first priority is upgrading Whittacker’s Crafting Shack, the carpenter. Reaching Level 2 here allows the purchase of finished planks, a key bottleneck material for many other building upgrades. The second priority is the smithy managed by Fillmore. His forge upgrades determine weapon enhancement limits, which are the foundation of combat power. The third priority is Grinnich’s General Goods. At Level 3, his shop has a chance of stocking rare rings and higher-quality tools. Others, like Gordon’s Pantry, Mira and Meri’s Tailor Shop, or Eleanor’s Enchantment Shop, are lower priorities for initial investment.
A Crucial Item: The Thief’s Ring
An item with a profound impact on the early survival experience is the Thief’s Ring. This ring can be acquired by seeking out an NPC near the marketplace and inquiring about the Orban Glades. It is hidden in that area. The ring improves dodge frames and roll speed, and it provides a moderate backstab damage bonus. The improvement to the game’s feel is significant, transforming the dodge roll from a desperate maneuver into a reliable defensive tool. Getting it requires a slight detour from the main path, but the difference in practical combat experience is substantial.
