Summer of Slaughter: What's Next for Hellforged Demo

Your feedback from the playtest has been absolutely invaluable, and we've been working overtime to turn it into something spectacular. Today, we want to give you a closer look at everything we've been cooking up for the Hellforged demo, coming this August.

Buckle up, because there's a lot coming.

The Goblin Merchant

Got gold burning a hole in your pocket with nowhere to spend it? We heard you. Clear all challenges in a stage and a new visitor shows up: a sneaky Goblin Merchant who's more than happy to help you gamble your hard-earned coin away.

Pay gold to receive 3 card offers in classic level-up style. Want to push your luck? Each reroll costs more, but raises your chances of landing a Rare or Epic card. High risk, high reward - just the way we like it in Hell.

New Undercrypt Layouts

The Undercrypt isn't done with you yet. Two entirely new map layouts are coming, bringing fresh routes, new hazards, and plenty of new secrets to discover.

Steam post image Same darkness, whole new nightmare.

Improved Challenges

Challenges are getting a meaningful overhaul. Instead of simply ramping up enemy numbers, each challenge difficulty will now apply temporary Map Difficulty Affixes - active modifiers that change how the map itself plays. More tactical, more punishing, more rewarding.

Reworked Gear Icons

This one's for the loot addicts. Every gear item is getting upgraded icons, with dozens of new visual variations per type across Common, Rare, and Legendary tiers.

Your drops are about to look a whole lot more satisfying.

Progression Journey Rework

Right now, the Progression Journey lets you unlock everything too fast - and that means you never really feel the weight of what you've earned. We're reworking the unlock nodes to have more meaningful requirements, so that each milestone actually feels like an achievement.

Arsenal Content Gating

Too much content hitting you at once can be overwhelming. We're introducing item-level gating to the Arsenal, so new slots and content unlock gradually as your gear improves. Better loot = more to play with.

Simple, satisfying, and it gives you something to work toward.

Boss Upgrades: Executor & Crypt Prince

Think you've got the bosses figured out? Think again.

Steam post image Both the Executor and the Crypt Prince are getting new abilities added to their boss fights. We're not spoiling the details just yet - but we will say that some of you are going to be very surprised the next time you step into that arena.

New Hero: Mortenzia, the Dark Elf Mage

A brand new hero is joining the roster. Meet Mortenzia - a Dark Elf mage with a completely unique playstyle and mechanics unlike anything currently in the game.

We'll be doing a dedicated deep-dive on her kit before she drops, so stay tuned.

Game Difficulties

We're expanding the difficulty system significantly - more tiers, each one introducing a new Map Difficulty Affix on top of the previous ones. Whether you're a newcomer finding your footing or a veteran who thinks the current game is too easy, there will be a difficulty setting made specifically to break you.

The Mailbox

Sometimes the underworld needs to stay connected. We're adding a Mailbox to your camp - a new feature that delivers patch notes, updates, and in-game news directly to you, right there in the base. Think of it as your personal demonic inbox.

This is just a taste of what's ahead. The demo arrives this August, so stay tuned! We're working hard every single day to make Hellforged the best version of itself, and it's your feedback that's driving every one of these decisions.

We've also expanded our language support with Brazilian Portuguese, Ukrainian, and Russian, making Hellforged accessible to even more players around the world. Thank you for being part of the journey, we can't wait for you to try the new demo this August!

If you haven't yet, make sure to add Hellforged to your Wishlist

Hellforged

and Join our Discord to stay on top of every update as it drops.

We'll see you in Hell.

— The MoonPyre & Grindstone Teams