Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are two of the most beloved open-world RPGs in modern gaming, and fans of both franchises will be hard-pressed to find another title that hits the same way. While both games are decidedly different in many regards, the ease by which gamers are able to become immersed in their massive open worlds is a clear through-line between the two.
Further, while their influence on modern titles is unavoidable, it isn't every day that you'll come across an RPG that incorporates the most beloved elements of both BG3 and Elden Ring in one package. However, there's a truly exciting new project attempting to do just that, and it just launched on Steam and is available to play for free right now.
Embers of the Uncrowned is a brand-new title from developers NEXON that incorporates isometric gameplay and dark fantasy storytelling elements into an immersive MMORPG with a 100% free demo available to play right now on Steam. Embers of the Uncrowned is an incredible PvP project where players take on the role of an illegitimate heir to House Harborwell turned mercenary, on a mission to reclaim your lost domain by fighting "against the corrupted creatures and elven forces that plague the continent."
Embers of the Uncrowned features a range of unique classes and companion characters, and features quintessential MMO mechanics such as Domain Bosses and Raids. The game also touts "Hidden Stories" only discoverable through extensive exploration, as well as an "infinite progression" system with tons of build variety in the form of skill gems, gear, and ancient powers.
In this Steam Next Fest demo, you'll experience the early stages of the game — from escaping Goldenhaven and rebuilding the Amber Coast Settlement, to forming alliances with the factions in Towerstead.
At official launch, the world will expand with broader Domains, the arrival of even more powerful elves, and large-scale RvR (Realm vs. Realm) content.
The demo is live as part of Steam Next Fest, giving players access to three of the game's starting classes and a brief introduction to the core gameplay loop, and is available entirely for free. Developers operate under a strict NON-P2W philosophy (i.e., no Pay-to-Win features included), ensuring that competitive gameplay rewards skill and build optimization.
Fans of games like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo 4, Elden Ring, Guild Wars, etc., will all appreciate what's on offer in Embers of the Uncrowned, and if you're looking for a truly original world that scratches that dark fantasy itch with quintessential MMO elements, there's every reason to give the free demo a run and add this one to your wishlist on Steam now.