Few phrases capture my attention quite like “it’s like Stardew Valley, but…” We’ve already seen the formula blended with prehistoric survival, magical girl aesthetics, and even dark murder mysteries. Now, Emberville enters the spotlight, offering a compelling fusion of cozy life-simulation and the gritty, fast-paced action of Diablo.
The project has been in development for some time, but co-creative director and prominent streamer Ben Cassell—better known as CohhCarnage—recently unveiled a fresh gameplay walkthrough. During the showcase, he announced that the pixel-art action-RPG is officially targeting a Steam Early Access launch in the summer of 2026.
“I’m incredibly confident this game is going to be something special,” Cassell shared in the video. The footage supports his enthusiasm, providing a detailed look at Emberville’s distinct progression systems, character classes, and the relaxing life-sim elements that anchor the experience.
The core premise of Emberville tasks players with restoring a once-thriving town from its current state of ruin. The primary gameplay loop involves venturing into procedurally generated dungeons that shift with every visit. In these depths, you’ll engage in high-octane combat and gather vital resources before returning to the surface to focus on crafting, cooking, and building community ties.
Beyond the dungeon crawling, the walkthrough highlighted the player’s personal sanctuary. This home base is isolated from the main town hub and bears a striking resemblance to the iconic starting plots in Stardew Valley. “This is where you truly express your creativity,” Cassell explained, noting that players can personalize their homes, manage their own farmland, and even implement light automation to assist with chores.
Adding to the game’s polish, IGN reports that the voice cast features industry veterans Doug Cockle (the voice of Geralt in The Witcher) and Alex Jordan (known for his work in Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3).
Emberville is slated to arrive on Steam in the near future. The development team at Cygnus Cross expects the game to remain in Early Access for roughly a year as they finalize content and balance the gameplay.
For more titles to watch, browse our guide to the most anticipated upcoming indie games launching in 2026 and beyond.
Source: gamesradar.com
