Hell Byte Studios has announced that its debut title, Blood Reaver, will launch into Steam Early Access on April 15, 2026, at 4 PM UK time. Alongside the announcement, the developer also released a new trailer showcasing more of the game’s brutal combat and dark-fantasy setting.
Built by longtime fans of the round-based survival shooter genre, Blood Reaver aims to evolve the formula popularized by modes like Call of Duty Zombies. The game mixes relentless wave-based combat with blood-powered abilities, character builds, and an atmospheric fantasy world filled with secrets.
Players will face escalating demon hordes either solo or with up to three friends in four-player co-op. Each round ramps up the challenge, throwing tougher and faster enemies into the fight until the team inevitably falls.
Combat revolves around two core systems. Weapons follow a straightforward progression path—players collect them during a run and upgrade them to become increasingly powerful as waves intensify. Abilities, however, are fueled by combat itself. Slaying demons charges powerful spells drawn from three different schools: Blood Magic, Ethereal Arts, and Forbidden powers. Players select their initial loadout before starting a run and expand their builds as they progress.
Between waves, players can strengthen their characters through the Deck of Fates, which offers upgrade cards that shape a run’s strategy. Meanwhile, the Blood Infuser allows players to enhance their weapons with unique modifiers, encouraging experimentation and different playstyles in every session.
Each map also contains pieces of environmental storytelling. Hidden clues scattered throughout the levels reveal the history of the Blood Reavers, the origins of the demon invasion, and the secrets behind how it might be stopped.
According to Hell Byte Studios founder Jackson Hole, the project is designed as both a tribute and an evolution of the genre.
“We grew up with round-based survival shooters. Blood Reaver is our love letter to that genre, but with a darker world, smarter systems and magic that actually feels powerful. We can’t wait for players to discover what’s hiding in the walls.”
The game’s dark atmosphere draws inspiration from titles like Doom, Bloodborne, and Dishonored, combining fast-paced action with a mysterious, lore-rich world.
A playable demo for Blood Reaver is currently available on Steam, allowing players to try the combat systems, abilities, and upgrade mechanics ahead of the Early Access release.
When it launches on April 15, Blood Reaver will be available on Steam for $14.99.