Hellwake is a dark fantasy incremental RPG for PC that centers on building and refining a party of heroes while they handle combat automatically. Players focus on loot, builds, and long-term progression across runs that end in rekindling for permanent upgrades. The game emphasizes incremental power growth through gear hunting, crafting, and meta progression systems rather than direct control of every fight.
Gameplay
Combat runs automatically once a party is assembled, with up to five heroes drawn from seven classes: Warbringer, Huntress, Stormwitch, Bonecaller, Zealot, Nightblade, and Wildheart. Each class features three skill trees that support front-line stacking, back-line spellcasting, summons, curses, and auras. Players assign attributes, set skill priorities, and intervene directly with personal abilities such as Smite or Hellfire when needed.
Gear forms the core loop. Players hunt rares and uniques, complete rising sets, socket gems and charms, and craft runewords by combining specific bases and runes according to recipes in the runeword book. The Forge allows honing and Exaltation of eligible items, while the Crucible processes gems, runes, and charms. The Market offers gambling options for new pieces. Loot can be locked, stashed with custom sorting, and tracked through the Grail collection system.
Progression extends beyond individual runs. Rekindling converts a completed or failed run into Embers spent in the Pantheon for permanent ranks, new callings, and automation features. Heirlooms can be bound to carry prized items forward. The Sanctum expands through recruitment, building upgrades, and Decrees that automate aspects of points, god powers, loot, crafting, and construction.
Game Modes
Standard runs progress through seven acts set in locations such as the Hollowmire, Ashen Reach, Rotwood, Frostvault, Hellwake, the Hollow Heavens, and the Unmade Deep. Each act features masters with story chapters and leads into harsher difficulty tiers. Elite packs, Portents, and rare encounters add risk during the grind.
Specialized modes include timed Hell Rifts, keyed boss Gauntlets, Trials, and the Weekly Wake. The Vault Beneath offers Descents and hidden Buried Places where divine Gifts combine to awaken Pacts and class Oaths. Ascension provides ten levels with escalating Wake Omens that carry into runs and unlock Ascendant-forged loot with stronger rolls and grade-gated uniques and runewords.
Supporting systems record progress through the Grail, Codex, Bestiary, Deeds, and Chronicle. Blood Ledger Warrants award Tallies that unlock cosmetic options in the Wardrobe. All activity occurs in local single-player saves with options for key rebinding and adjustable presentation settings.
Progression and Customization
The incremental structure rewards repeated runs through permanent Pantheon upgrades and Sanctum development. Omens alter run stakes, while Ascension layers harsher modifiers and better rewards. Class Oaths and Pacts add lasting specialization options beyond a single playthrough.
Build experimentation comes from skill tree choices, attribute allocation, and synergies between curses, auras, and summons. Gear crafting and runeword creation allow fine-tuning for damage, survivability, or specific playstyles. Configurable loot handling and stash organization keep focus on valuable finds.
Is It Worth Playing?
Hellwake suits players who enjoy incremental RPGs with automatic combat and deep customization layers. The single-player experience emphasizes planning builds, chasing specific loot, and managing long-term meta progression through Embers, Ascension, and Sanctum upgrades. As an Early Access title planned for Q4 2026, the core systems for party building, runewords, and rekindling are available, with further class and ability expansions planned based on feedback. Those drawn to dark fantasy settings, gear optimization, and roguelite-style run resets with persistent gains will find the most engagement here. The absence of multiplayer or live service elements keeps the focus squarely on solo progression and experimentation.
