Early access begins for Greek myth-themed survival box game, Dawn of Defiance

Indeed, another multiplayer survival sandbox is upon us, with the singular distinction that this game is clad in ancient Greek mythos. Presenting Dawn of Defiance, an immersive experience we highlighted last May, that allows up to four individuals to play as ordinary mortals striving to evolve into divine, though rebellious, heroes.

“Dissatisfaction stirs in the Underworld, and through Charon’s hand, your death has been averted and you’ve been transported to a secluded beach for your trial. To decipher your part in a mysterious scheme against the Gods, you’ll need to start from scratch, procure resources, and equip yourself to face the risks of the islands. Only then can you face the upcoming larger tests.”

In terms of gameplay, it shares common features with other survival games, with players tasked with scavenging, crafting and building their way to supremacy while traversing a landscape filled with mythical ruins and diverse biomes. The ultimate objective is to overcome the challenges set by the Olympians, extract the knowledge of the deities, and venture into the Forgotten Crossroads to discover the aim of this expedition.

Traega Entertainment, the game’s developer, anticipates the early access phase to last about two years at best, with a present build that includes the initial major biome, the beginning tiers of craftable and buildable items, progression landmarks with a “bare-bones narrative”, and some minor challenges and puzzles to unveil more recipes.

The early access will cost gamers $20 (currently discounted to $15 until August 29th); the studio notes that pricing will increase proportionately with the release of updates. The existing price is intended to serve as a “reward” for early participants who are willing to invest early, which may be interpreted as the developers’ way of keeping future price alterations an option before the full release.