Arcane Overdrive Announced With Steam Next Fest Demo

Build Fantasy War Machines in Arcane Overdrive, Coming Soon to Steam

A survivor-like and roguelike hybrid set in a fantasy medieval world of monsters, magic, and relentless battles. Istanbul, Turkey — September 29, 2025: Independent developer Nords Games has officially announced Arcane Overdrive, a survivor-like and roguelike hybrid coming soon to Steam. Set in a fantasy medieval world, the game has you assemble bespoke war machines from modular parts and monsters, then take on waves of enemies—from orcs and werewolves to skeletons and other monstrous bosses—using medieval weapons and spells. A free demo is slated for Steam Next Fest, running October 13–20, 2025. For more playable demos, see our free Steam playtests and demos roundup.

Trailer

Trailer: Nords Games (YouTube)

Build a war machine that fits your playstyle

Each vehicle is constructed from three components—top, middle, and bottom—that shape stats, abilities, weapon slots, and movement. Lower components primarily influence locomotion (from conventional driving to a swaying carriage feel). The team also plans an option to control your character directly, separate from the vehicle controller.

“In Arcane Overdrive, we wanted players to fight using their own unique fantasy vehicles. These machines are assembled from mystical parts and monsters found throughout the world… To reinforce that feeling, we added visuals that show adventurers such as wizards and mercenaries wielding wands and weapons, emerging from the doors and windows as if they’re supporting the player in battle.” — Can Sancaktaroğlu, Game Designer

Weapons, spells, and escalating builds

Weapons and spells come from both vehicle parts and level-up rewards, spanning elemental types—fire, ice, electric, physical, and poison. Your build determines how many weapons you can equip, and picking the same weapon multiple times on level-ups amplifies its attributes for increasingly potent combos.

Like survivor-likes with heavy spellcraft? Check our recent coverage of The Spell Brigade — Early Access Release Almost Here.

Key features

• Customize your playstyle with unique vehicle and monster parts
• Choose between car-style driving or classic directional movement
• Battle map-specific bosses with unique mechanics
• Combine magic and weapons to create powerful combos
• Explore a richly detailed fantasy medieval world
• Unlock permanent upgrades and new mechanics through the Skill Tree

Arcane Overdrive

Release: Coming soon (Demo: Oct 13–20, 2025 — Steam Next Fest)

Genre: Survivor-like, Roguelike

Developer / Publisher: Nords Games / Nords Games

Platforms: PC — Steam (wishlist/buy)

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