One of my favorite things about Steam is its “early access” library. Not every game that’s in early access is a gem, but the occasional diamond in the category makes sorting through the rough worthwhile. For those unfamiliar, early access games are games that are available to purchase and play before they release in their full, finished build. Some examples of games that have been in early access include PUBG: Battlegrounds (formerly PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) from PUBG Studios, and Hell Let Loose from Black Matter. While the early access category offers up thousands, here are five titles worth checking out.

Foxhole by Siege Camp

Inspired by early-20th century warfare, Foxhole is an incredibly unique experience. The player is dropped into a massively multiplayer environment that is constantly evolving. You must coordinate with your team to gather resources and shape the battlefield, securing points across the map in order to win. The game features a day and night cycle with 24 hours in the game being the equivalent of one hour in the real world. Players must work together in order to push towards victory, as wars can last literal, real-world weeks. 

Foxhole is available on PC via Steam

HROT by Spytihněv

As a massive fan of boomer shooters, the last five years or so have been really good to me. Seeing other dedicated fans with the know-how build new games that harken back to the late-90s and early-00s has brought us into a new golden age, and HROT is a great example of this. Developed by a single person in their own engine, the game shares a ton of DNA with genre greats such as Quake but brings a unique horror aesthetic that is set in an unnamed Soviet country following a major disaster. 

HROT is available on PC via Steam

Ready or Not by VOID Interactive

Even though Ready or Not isn’t a sequel to Irrational Games’ 2005 release SWAT 4, it would certainly fit the mold of one. With high-risk combat, slow and methodical tactics, and an ever-increasing amount of content, Ready or Not is one of my favorite games right now. Across many different situations, you are forced to confront incredibly hostile situations, suss out who is and isn’t a civilian, and make sure to pay attention to your corners. A lack of focus can spell your doom, and the reward of finishing even one mission is incredible. 

Ready or Not is available on PC via Steam

Valheim by Iron Gate AB

The world of Valheim is a procedurally generated environment between the world and Valhalla. Players take control of a fallen Viking where you must craft shelter, tools, and weapons to survive the world around them. The game allows players to run solo through the world, or they can play with up to ten others with co-operative and player-versus-player options. Role-playing elements keep gameplay rewarding too, allowing players to level their skill up to level 100, changing how you play the game as time goes by. 

Valheim is available on PC via Steam

WARNO by Eugen Systems

Taking real-time strategy to the next level, WARNO lets the player take control of several hundred units fighting their way through World War III. The game is set in an alternate timeline where Gorbachev is overthrown instead of the collapse of the Soviet Union, an event that launches the Cold War into the early days of a new World War. While the game features traditional single-player campaigns against computer-controlled armies, you can also play against other plays in one-versus-one matches. To test your battlefield prowess, you can even take your multiplayer matches up to a ten-versus-ten battle. 

WARNO is available on PC via Steam