▶ Envar Games’ first original IP from the League of Legends art team
▶ 85,000 people participated in the CBT, and the wishlist surpassed 100,000, raising expectations.
A Steam demo has been released for Witchspire , an open-world survival game where you summon forests with magic, fly through the sky on a broomstick, and go on adventures with cute spirits.
This game, developed by Stockholm-based indie game studio Envar Games, is available for free to everyone through Steam Next Fest (February 23rd – March 2nd). With over 100,000 wishlist registrants and over 80,000 people signing up for the recent Closed Beta Test (CBT) , it is considered one of the most anticipated indie games among fans of the survival genre.
A game created by the League of Legends art team
One reason “Witchspire” is attracting attention is the developer’s track record. Envar Games is more than just a new studio. Its parent company, Envar Entertainment, is a global development studio that has co-developed titles like League of Legends, Overwatch 2, and Valorant.
In particular, she was recognized for her skills through her participation in representative splash arts of League of Legends, such as ‘Battle Academia Katarina’ and ‘Project: Akali’, as well as the Summoner’s Rift map theme.
‘Witchspire’ is a work born from a strong will to pour such rich visual capabilities into its own IP. Atey Ghailan, CEO of Envar, said at the time of the game’s announcement, “Having worked with industry giants like Riot Games, Blizzard, Tencent, and Netflix, we now have the opportunity to create our own world. This announcement is the first step toward growing as an AA studio.”
The Sailor Moon-inspired animation trailer and the warm, Ghibli-inspired colors left a strong impression immediately after its release. After seeing the game in person at Gamescom, PCGamesN named it one of the show’s “Best Games,” stating that even someone who dislikes the survival genre was captivated.
Magic Instead of an Axe: A Reimagined Survival
Witchspire is a co-op survival adventure game about apprentice witches and wizards trapped in a magical land, struggling to find their way home. The game’s most distinctive feature is that magic is central to the gameplay. Instead of chopping down trees with an axe, players summon forests themselves, and instead of swinging pickaxes, they gather resources with magic. Instead of walking or running, players explore the world by spirit jumping over cliffs and gliding through the skies on broomsticks.
Furthermore, the game boldly eliminated hunger gauges and stamina systems commonly found in traditional survival games, increasing accessibility. The developers explain that the game was designed around the question, “How would things be different if there was magic?”
Familiars, the center of collection and combat
Another key feature of “Witchspire” is the familiar system. A variety of magical creatures inhabit the game world, which players can defeat in battle and recruit as allies. Each creature possesses unique abilities, and players can discover unique and rare variants that inhabit each biome.
This system, often compared to Pokémon in the game, extends beyond simple combat assistance to base management and exploration. A PCGamesN reviewer, who chose the mysterious dragon-like creature Qual as his partner and even challenged himself with a boss battle, admitted, “Creature collection has become my top priority.”
Building a Home Through Astral Projects: Rediscovering Base Construction
The base-building system is also imbued with magic. Astral projection allows players to detach their astral body and freely fly through the air to construct structures. Players can place their structures at any height or angle they desire, without the hassle of climbing awkward makeshift stairs or building facades. The freedom to design a witch’s hut with a moss-covered roof and cozy windows alleviates the stress of survival games while maximizing creative expression.
A richer worldview with the participation of famous voice actors
The worldview is also impressively well-crafted. Victoria Atkin, known for Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, and Matthew Mercer, known for Critical Role, joined the game’s voice cast. Rich storytelling elements and lore clues scattered throughout the world inspire exploration beyond mere survival.
This demo allows players to reach level 7 and choose between two Covens: the brave Cloudpiercers or the mysterious Foretellers. New content is also included, including encounters with the enigmatic creature Peb and challenges to portals in ancient ruins. However, farm systems and automation elements will be added after Early Access.
Media reactions include ‘anticipation’ and ‘homework to be done’
The Escapist praised the game, saying it “could revitalize the somewhat stagnant survival genre,” and eagerly awaited its 2026 release. PCGamesN, after experiencing the game at Gamescom, named it one of the “highlights of the show.” However, reactions from the demo are mixed.
PCGamesN, while pointing out bugs and poor completion in the combat AI, concluded that the world’s charm and easy-going survival mechanics more than compensate for these shortcomings. “It’s not perfect,” they concluded, “but what it has is compelling enough and worth a few hours of immersion.”
The Early Access version of ‘Witchspire’ is targeted for a PC (Steam) release in 2026. You can experience it through a free demo during the Steam Next Pass.
With its unique magic-centric design and robust visuals, “Witchspire” offers a fresh direction for the survival genre. While there are still areas for refinement, the potential demonstrated in this demo is impressive. It remains to be seen whether this title will establish itself as another highly anticipated title upon its Early Access release in 2026.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4328010/Witchspire_Demo/
Official website:
https://playwitchspire.com/
