‘Dungeon Defenders II’ Open Alpha Is Free-To-Play For Everyone On PC

Game developer Trendy Entertainment has given PC users free access to Dungeon Defenders II, which is currently available via Steam Early Access. Now everyone can join the ranks of those who protect the magical realm of Etheria from the Old Ones' raiding armies.

As Dungeon Defenders' successor, the cooperative tower-defense role-playing game has evolved quite a lot, from its loot system to its leveling concept. Dungeon Defenders II introduces a wide set of new features, including support for single-player and four-player online modes and new fighting and ability systems.

Trendy Entertainment has taken things up a notch with its Ascension patch, which was released on Oct. 8 last week. The game developer tweaked the game, making towers larger and more powerful as well as buffing up enemy minions for a bigger challenge. Also, the update came along with new attack patterns for the third-person action game's impressive selection of weapons. And as a clincher, a Stat Allocation System was added, allowing players to further customize their characters and to experiment and make unique builds.

But that was just Part One, as Trendy Entertainment has a Part Two in store for dungeon-defending gamers, which is scheduled for release on Oct. 27. Part Two of Ascension introduces even more potential hero builds and new minibosses, as well as spooky costumes apt for Halloween and holiday-themed maps.

Dungeon Defenders II became available through Steam Early Access last year on Dec. 6, and now that it has moved to an open free alpha phase, Trendy Entertainment moves closer to its ultimate goal to make Dungeon Defenders II a free-to-play game when it goes official. To support the game, the developers have implemented "ethical in-game purchases" for aesthetics, such as costumes and pets.

On Dungeon Defenders II's release, the game will be available on PC, PS4, Mac and Linux platforms, but there's no word whether the Xbox One will be included in the lineup.