After a year of intense community-driven development, the wait is nearly over! PM Studios and TeamSuneat have announced that Dragon is Dead, their brutally stylish 2D hack-and-slash roguelite, will finally emerge from Early Access on June 6, 2025. This full 1.0 release represents the culmination of a development journey that has seen the game evolve through player feedback into what critics are calling “a masterclass in responsive combat and rewarding progression.”

Dragon is Dead is set in a world ravaged by the corrupting influence of Guernian, the last surviving Dark Dragon. It combines the precision platforming of Dead Cells with Diablo II’s deep loot systems. Players take on the role of the Dragon Slayer, battling through ever-shifting dungeons while mastering an expansive array of skills and equipment. What sets the game apart, moreover, is its perfect marriage of razor-sharp combat mechanics with meaningful progression. Even in failure, players retain crucial power boosts that make each subsequent run more thrilling than the last!

A Dark Fantasy Epic Reaches Its Crescendo

The 1.0 version introduces several major additions that elevate the experience to new heights. The climactic final chapter pits players against the Circle of the Black Dawn, a fanatical cult that has seized Guernian’s power for their own sinister purposes. This new faction brings fresh enemy types and attack patterns that tests even veteran players. For those seeking the ultimate challenge, the new 16-tier Nightmare Mode completely remixes enemy behaviors. Developers describe it as “essentially a new game for players who’ve mastered the base experience.”

Character customization also reaches new depths with the introduction of the Hunter of the Beast. This feral new playable heroine comes with her own unique skill tree and combat style. The new Quenching system allows for unprecedented gear modification, while the addition of Mythic-tier equipment provides earth-shaking new build possibilities. These systems synergize beautifully with the game’s existing rune and artifact mechanics, creating near-endless potential for creative character builds.

A Community-Forged Masterpiece

What makes Dragon is Dead truly special is how organically it’s grown through its Early Access period. Player feedback directly influenced everything from hit detection frames to loot distribution curves. With their help, PM Studios developed combat that feels both weighty and responsive. The development team at TeamSuneat and PM Studios has fostered an exceptional relationship with their community, implementing suggested changes with remarkable transparency.

“Dragon is Dead represents everything we love about action RPGs,” said Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios. “It’s got that perfect mix of immediate, visceral combat and deep mechanical complexity that keeps you coming back run after run. We couldn’t be prouder of what TeamSuneat has accomplished with this project.”

Mark Your Calendars

As the June 6 release date approaches, anticipation continues building for what promises to be one of 2025’s standout indie action games. With its satisfying progression systems, pitch-perfect combat, and wealth of new 1.0 content, Dragon is Dead is poised to deliver ta fantastic dark fantasy roguelite experience when it launches next month on Steam. It will retail for $19.99 USD.