Secret Door and Dreamhaven revealed a surprise public playtest for Shadowstone during the Future Games Show Spring Showcase on March 12, 2026. Players could jump into the test immediately to try short runs in either single-player or multiplayer sessions with groups of up to four.
Shadowstone is a tactics-focused roguelike that shares the same setting as Sunderfolk but moves away from smartphone-as-controller inputs in favor of a more traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. The game delivers a run-based loop where teams try to escape randomized ruins while adapting to a changing pool of skill cards, equipment, and powerups that affect each run.
The playtest will continue until Shadowstone enters early access sometime in 2026; Secret Door did not pin a tighter launch date during the showcase. Progress made during the public test will not transfer to the full release, and the studio confirmed there was no NDA for participants, meaning streams and discussion of sessions are allowed. Tester slots are being granted selectively. Secret Door said selection considered multiple factors, including how early you signed up, and encouraged interested players to register on Steam for a chance to join.
The announcement came as part of the Future Games Show Spring Showcase, and details on how the broadcast was carried and when it aired are available in our guide to the event at Future Games Show Spring Showcase.
Share your thoughts and early impressions in the comments, and tell us what you think of Shadowstone’s run-based approach and its move away from phone controls, follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram if you want to join the conversation.
Shadowstone
Developed by Secret Door
Shadowstone is a 1-4 player tactics game where players must master strategic positioning and powerful hero synergies to survive against the unrelenting horrors of the Sunderlands.
- Genre: Strategy
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Modes: Single player, Co-operative
- Release: 2026-12-31
- Publisher: Dreamhaven
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Age Rating:
ESRB E10+
