Developer EchoFall Games has released a new preview trailer for Deepward, giving players a first look at the upcoming linear, corridor-driven horror FPS roguelite. Alongside the trailer drop, the studio announced that registration for an upcoming limited-time Steam Playtest will open on Thursday, 30 July 2026 at 11:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM BST.
The initial wave of playtest access is scheduled to begin on Friday, 31 July 2026. Players interested in taking part can request access directly via the "Join the Steam Playtest" button on the game's official Steam store page once sign-ups go live.
EchoFall Games noted that this initial playtest features a very early beta build, presenting the first three levels of the game's central manor setting. As an early work in progress, the developer is actively gathering player feedback to refine weapon designs, hero portraits, combat readability, performance, localization, and overall balancing.
Gameplay in the current build provides a look at the title’s core mechanics, with character Vireth featuring an active ability unlocked in the third level. The development team plans to expand the roster of active abilities in future updates, including mechanics such as time manipulation.
While the studio is currently focused on completing the core single-player campaign for PC, long-term plans for Deepward include evaluating a cooperative game mode following the single-player release. Additionally, gamepad support is slated for a future PC build or public demo.
Console releases are also on the horizon, with versions planned for Steam Deck, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2 following the main PC launch and platform-specific porting process.
Access to the upcoming playtest will be granted in waves, and the studio recommends requesting entry early once registration opens on 30 July.
