A portion of a new fantasy RPG that seems to blend elements of Dark Souls and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim can be played for free right now. These two RPGs set a new standard for the genre, and Dark Souls even helped establish what many consider a subgenre, called soulslike, after Demon’s Souls. There have been several games inspired by Dark Souls and Skyrim over the years, but they continue to serve as an influence, well over a decade later.

Now, a new game that seems to take inspiration from both these RPGs is in the works, but players can already check it out for free. Asthenia is a new dark fantasy action RPG set for its complete release in 2027. However, its free playable demo is already available on Steam, allowing players to check out what Asthenia intends to be like, and how it plays out – at least for now, as it may get changed or tweaked until its release next year.

Asthenia Is Free To Try On Steam Now

The Playable Demo Highlights Core Mechanics

The free demo on Steam has no subscription or payment requirements; if you’re interested, all you have to do is add the demo to your library and play it at any time. The only thing to be mindful of is Asthenia’s minimum system requirements, listed at the end of the product page on Steam. The requirements aren’t too high, but it’s still best to check if your PC will be able to handle running the action RPG crafted by Matthaios Lappas.

According to the developer’s description of the demo, this new freebie on Steam will give you access to a small portion of Asthenia, letting you learn about the core gameplay mechanics. For example, you’ll be able to take control of the Primordial Gauntlet, which empowers your melee attacks, allows you to parry attacks, and even interacts with special environmental objects that respond to the gauntlet.

The demo will also demonstrate some of the traps in the world, as well as a secret mini-boss encounter that can affect the outcome of the story (in the final version). Players can also expect to find hidden items and lore bits that help expand the world of Asthenia.

Dark Souls Fans, Take Note

Asthenia Has An Oppressive World

Asthenia is a dark fantasy action-adventure game, where a lot is centered around exploration, discovery, and a bit of survival. The Primordial Gauntlet will give Adam, the protagonist, the ability to survive as he explores the remnants of a land ravaged by disease. A lot about Asthenia revolves around the oppressive and dark atmosphere, a common trait in many of the greatest soulslike games.

If you’re a fan of Dark Souls or dark fantasy, in general, be sure to check out Asthenia for free ahead of its release via the playable demo. This should give you a better sense of whether or not you should keep this RPG on your radar.