After two long years in early access, my favorite indie Elder Scrolls-alike is getting its full release⁠—and it'll let you fly around in your own airship

GamesRPGDread DelusionAfter two long years in early access, my favorite indie Elder Scrolls-alike is getting its full release⁠—and it’ll let you fly around in your own airshipWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Lovely Hellplace)

Dread Delusion knight holding sword and magic spellbook

One of my most anticipated games is paradoxically one I already have 19 hours logged in, and yet here I stand, thrilled at the news ofDread Delusion’s 1.0 release. The indiemini-Morrowindwill be launching in full on May 14.

Dread Delusion has an emphasis on exploration that I love⁠—similar to Deus Ex’s various door-opening skills, your stat investments determine how you approach levels, opening up new paths and ways of thinking about the world. My favorites are a “Lore” skill that lets you see hidden switches to open up secret doors, as well as a speed boost magic spell that allows for all kinds of shenanigans that border on sequence breaking.

The 1.0 launch has long promised a resolution to Dread Delusion’s main quest, as well as a visit to the poisonous Underlands of the planet that humanity fled to the asteroids from, but developer Lovely Hellplace recently revealed an exciting new endgame feature:pilotable airships to fly around the islands, with both a third- and first-person view. It reminds me of the endgame airships you always seem to get in JRPGs, but applied to a seamless open world in the style of the Elder Scrolls games⁠—usually you gotta wait for a mod for this sort of thing!

I also had a real RPG sicko moment seeing artistArtyom Tucovićshare a peek at the game’s Fallout-style modular epilogue slideshow. Dread Delusion already does a great job of showing consequences in-game, with at least one settlement getting partially destroyed depending on your actions, and a classico RPG epilogue strikes me as the perfect accompaniment.

Dread Delusion will be on sale for 20% off its usual $20 price from May 9 to 16, so it’s probably a good idea to hold off on buying it for a few days, but you can always wishlist it onSteamfor a reminder on launch day.

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