Witchfire, a much-anticipated game since its reveal at the Game Awards in 2017, has finally initiated its early access period on the Epic Games Store. Initially planned for an end-2022 launch, Witchfire's development was prolonged due to a significant change in its gameplay, shifting from arena-based combat to open-world encounters. The creators, The Astronauts, expect the game's full release to take between 12 to 16 months.

Witchfire is a rogue-like shooter that combines dark fantasy elements with firearms. The narrative focuses on sinners recruited by the Church to become witch hunters, set in a grim and mysterious world. The developers, whose members have previously worked on successful titles like Painkiller, Bulletstorm, and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, have released an enticing gameplay overview trailer.

The early access version of Witchfire includes substantial content to keep players engaged, with a progressive introduction of new weapons, spells, enemies, and levels promised in the near future. Moreover, The Astronauts plan to release a more detailed roadmap soon. The game is priced at $40 for the early access release, a cost that the developers assure will not increase when the game transitions out of early access.