Reapers, return to the world of death!
Wolcen Studio announced today that its new title, "Reaper: Gods Are Dead (Gods, Death & Reapers)," will enter Early Access on Steam in February 2027, with the next round of testing scheduled from September 24th to 28th.
"Reaper: Gods Are Dead" is a grim reaper-themed extraction ARPG similar to Diablo. In a world where myths have become reality and the gods are dead, players take on the role of "Reapers," agents of death, fighting in cooperative PvE and PvPvE modes to seize valuable loot and challenge the balance of the fractured realms.
Greeting Video:
As a game blending ARPG combat, gear building, and extraction mechanics, Wolcen Studio has been committed to involving the community throughout development. Wolcen Studio stated that as it moves towards Early Access, the game will continue to hold multiple rounds of testing, allowing players to directly experience the latest development progress and help shape the game. To date, "Reaper: Gods Are Dead" has garnered nearly 200,000 wishlists on Steam.
Latest Development Roadmap
The Closed Alpha 6 test for "Reaper: Gods Are Dead" will begin on September 24, 2026. This round of testing will add several highly anticipated new features based on previous versions, including squad multiplayer, new summon weapons, the permanent item mechanic, the third map Asgard, and 2v2 and 3v3 PvP arenas.
CA6 Update Chart
1. Permanent Item Mechanic Enters Testing for the First Time
In previous tests, characters would lose carried items upon death, which was one of the most discussed mechanics in the community. CA6 will test the permanent item mechanic for the first time: items will no longer disappear directly upon character death.
This change will significantly impact how players acquire gear, plan progression, and manage risk. The team hopes to observe its actual effect on the core gameplay loop through this round of testing and continue adjusting based on player feedback.
2. Become the Master of the Pack: New Summon Weapon Two-Handed Axe Debuts
CA6 will introduce a new summon weapon, the Two-Handed Axe. Players can summon wolves, crows, or porcupines to fight alongside them by equipping corresponding sigils on the weapon; if no sigil is equipped, the default companion, Will-o'-the-Wisp, will be summoned. Only one companion can be summoned at a time, and different companions have their own passive effects and active skills.
• Werewolf: Provides damage and life steal buffs, and can leap to a target area, dealing damage and immobilizing enemies.
• Crow: Expands field of view and can dive-bomb a target area, dealing damage and blinding hit enemies.
• Porcupine: Absorbs part of the damage for the player and can charge in a straight line, dealing damage and knocking back enemies.
• Will-o'-the-Wisp: Increases movement speed and periodically attacks nearby enemies.
The two-handed axe balances ease of use with strategic depth. Players need to choose suitable companions based on the battle situation and judge the timing for activating active skills, thereby forming different combat styles.
3. Journey to the homeland of the Norse gods: Asgard
This round of testing will also unlock GDR's third map, Asgard. Once the sacred land of the Norse gods, it now holds only ruined halls, scarred monuments, and factions continuously battling for control of this domain since the fall of the gods.
The new faction, the Chosen, will also appear in Asgard. The Chosen consist of Einherjar selected by Odin. They were once the most outstanding warriors of Midgard, brought to Valhalla after death to become Odin's elite guards. Now, although the god they served is dead, they still guard Asgard with near-fanatical devotion, attempting to bring Odin back at any cost.
4. Squad Multiplayer, Multiplayer Arenas, and Training Areas
The long-awaited squad multiplayer feature will launch with CA6. Players can team up with friends to explore the afterlife, fighting together against enemies and other Reapers. To ensure fairness, squad matchmaking will only match teams against other teams.
With the addition of squad multiplayer, CA6 will also open 2v2 and 3v3 arenas. Players can team up with allies to face other teams, testing coordination and build strength.
Additionally, a training ground will be added to the Sanctuary. Players can test weapons, skills, and combo combinations here, or take a brief rest after intense battles. CA6 will also bring further optimizations and expansions to loot distribution, combat experience, and quest lines.
How to Test
Players who haven't registered yet can apply via Steam Playtest or the Wolcen Studio Playtest Program. Search for [Reaper: Gods Are Dead] on Steam to go to the game's store page, and click [Request Access] to unlock CA6 test eligibility.
Players who have already submitted applications do not need to re-register; the team will send out more invitations closer to the test date. Players who participated in previous CA tests will retain access permissions without needing any additional actions.
About Wolcen Studio
Headquartered in Nice, France, Wolcen Studio is a European game developer bringing together over 150 professionals worldwide, dedicated to creating groundbreaking gaming experiences. The studio is best known for the 2020 action RPG "Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem," and is now continuing this legacy with "Reaper: Gods Are Dead (Gods, Death & Reapers)": a dark fantasy extraction action RPG combining deep ARPG progression with high-stakes, community-driven gameplay.