"With Warstride Challenges we wanted to force the player to always go forward, really being a champion not afraid to kill the enemies on his way."

Congratulations on Warstride Challenges’ early access launch! How has the reception from players been in these early days?

So far the reception has been really good, on Steam more than 95% of the players gave it a positive rating, plus many people have joined our Discord and we can say we have one of the best community we saw in game. People help each other, give good feedback and tips, etc.

Warstride Challenges places an extreme emphasis on speed and brutal shooting, and the way the game goes about delivering that isn’t something that has been seen in games all too often. How did the idea for the concept first come about, and how has the process of bringing it to life been like?

We are huge fans of fast FPS, but we wanted to do something a bit different, a lot of good fast FPS have the idea of keeping the player moving, usually to avoid taking damages. But with Warstride Challenges we wanted to force the player to always go forward, really being a champion not afraid to kill the enemies on his way.

Warstride Challenges focuses quite a bit on creation and sharing mechanics. How extensive is the game’s creation toolset? What are your plans for continuing to add to it and expand it?

At the moment the level editor is very basic, players can build level, place enemies and make them spawn, put an exit. But we want to improve it, adding more game modes, more enemies, more gameplay elements with better mechanics, more artistic elements, possibility to change some objects, etc It’s something we will keep improving during the whole Early Access.

"We don’t want the Early Access to extend too much, so in a year or so it should be over."

What motivated the decision to launch the game in early access first? Roughly how long will its early access period last?

We made a beta last year, and feedback have been super helpful, and players were really happy to see that we have been listening to them. And this is what we like about Early Access. We don’t want the Early Access to extend too much, so in a year or so it should be over.

What should players expect from additions made to the game in the coming months where things like new levels, abilities, and the likes are concerned?

Players can see the living road map on the Steam page, we keep it updated after each update. The next big update will be the release of the 3rd chapter: The Forge, which will have a lot of cool features, like the grappling hook, the stomp and a rocket launcher, then the next very big one will be the live multiplayer.

Warstride Challenges does offer multiplayer elements with leaderboards, ghost races, and the aforementioned Nemesis mode, but do you have plans for more direct co-op or PvP gameplay down the line?

As said on top we plan on bringing a live multiplayer, with a game mode inspired by other titles, we have been thinking about that with the help of the community. PvP would be fun, but with the fast pace of the game that would be difficult, plus we are a very small team, so we need to focus on what really makes sense to us.

"PvP would be fun, but with the fast pace of the game that would be difficult."

Do you have any plans to bring Warstride Challenges to additional platforms down the line?

The game has already been announced on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, and we will see what else we can do.

The Level Editor has received some quality of life improvements and additional “blocks” for building along with a guide for providing tips. A new Autosaves system and confirmation box UI has also been provided. Viewing downloaded levels is also easier thanks to the “Downloads Levels” window and the max height on the grid and camera has been removed.

Camera inertia has also been removed and you can now see a creator’s name in the level’s thumbnail. For more details on all of the changes and bug fixes, check out the patch notes below. Warstride Challenges is currently exclusive to PC and will remain in early access for about one year. Stay tuned for more details on further updates.

Patch notes

GAME

Additions

• 12 very hard level from Chapter 1: Crypt
• Added bindings for StatMenu, ToggleGhost,ToggleHud

Bug Fixes

• Tuto quick restart, platform are now more obvious
• Tuto quick restart, fixed trigger for restart tip
• Hole and floating stone in Crypt 3 Hard
• Collisions issues in Crypt 9 Side room
• Crypt 9 Hard is now Very Hard, and Very Hard is Hard (score have been reset)
• BFL Crypt 2: Hard leaderboard reset due to change of Crypt 9
• Button inside walls in low settings in Ruins 15
• Reload tips won’t be displayed if no ammo
• Removed Ammo in Bonus 9
• Bigger hitbox for small enemies
• Important light optimisation on center room of Chapter 2 Special level
• Fixed DLSS setting not being saved
• Fixed crash when quick restarting on a bumper
• Fixed no toggle slow motion being inverted after a quick restart
• Caped kill sound to 10 in buffer

Accessibility

• Added option to disable Crosshair Color change hover enemies, causing visibility issues to Daltonians.

LEVEL EDITOR

Additions

• New Autosaves System
• New Confirmation box UI
• Show downloaded levels in “Downloads Levels” window
• Removed grid and camera max height
• Grid and Camera with higher location (allow to build below starting position)
• Save grid’s height and scale during the session and restore it after testing a level
• Now show creator name in the thumbnail of the level
• Removed camera inertia
• Removed “New Level” button from “Save Load” window
• New basic blocks : 2xWall with round hole, ceiling, cylinder, spike & H?!
• New prefab : Small Room with 4 Doors
• Display map creator’s name

Bug Fixes

• Community Level Browser: fix description overflowing
• Show level name in Tab and End window
• Avoid Autosaves to be the last active save
• Allow to place elements without the grid active
• Bind Num pad “+” and “-” to change the grid scale (was bound to camera speed before)
• Reload tips won’t be displayed if no ammo
• Going back to brush mode will select last selected brush
• Added min/max for world settings
• Fixed a crash in description when publishing

Original Story:

After launching for PC via Steam Early Access, Focus Entertainment and Dream Powered Games have confirmed Warstride Challenges for PS5. The fast-paced, speed-running first person shooter challenges players to various Trials, which must be completed as quickly as possible. Check out the trailer below to see it in action.

Along with navigating obstacles, sliding through crevices and bunny-hopping across platforms, there are various hazards to dodge and demons to slay. Thankfully, you can slow down time to better line up shots and use the Shockwave ability to decimate numerous foes. As you complete a Trial, your time will be recorded on the Leaderboard for the world to see.

Along with playing solo, there’s also Nemesis Mode for racing asynchronously against other players’ ghosts as you attempt to beat their times. While the PS5 version doesn’t have a release date, Warstride Challenges will be in early access for a year. It will receive new powers, weapons, and abilities along with real-time multiplayer throughout its development so stay tuned for further updates.

On the surface, you’re running, gunning, bunny-hopping and sliding through devious levels as quickly as possible while slaying hordes of demons. However, there’s an element of mastery involved as you time jumps, avoid traps, discover secret and use powers like Shockwave and Slow-Mo. Post your best times on the leaderboards, or challenge other players via Nemesis Mode.

On selecting up to three other players, you can race their ghosts in Nemesis Mode. The developer has its own Nemesis “Patrick” that can be raced against in Level 5 of the Crypt – beating it will net some prizes. A Level Editor is also in place that allows for creating and sharing one’s own trials with the community.

Warstride Challenges will remain in early access for one year with new powers and abilities, real-time multiplayer, and large updates for the Level Editor planned.

While clearing a level is the goal, it’s really all about executing a perfect run. Post your score to the leaderboards to see how you measure up against the community or challenge other players to asynchronous racing in Nemesis Mode. There’s also a level editor for creating one’s own Trials.

According to the developer, Warstride Challenges will be in early access for “approximately one year.” It will receive new features, powers and abilities along with real-time multiplayer in the coming months. The level editor will also be updated significantly – the current version is in a “very work-in-progress stage” but will “show its true potential” as early access rolls on. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.

The objective is to achieve that perfect run. Along with developer-made levels, the community can also create and share their runs with each other. There’s also a Nemesis Mode to challenge anyone to asynchronous racing, which would explain the red “phantoms” seen in the trailer.

All in all, Warstride Challenges sounds like a dream come true for fans of Titanfall 2′s Gauntlet as you refine your movement and slowly improve. How long the title will be in early development and what other features will be added remains to be seen. Stay tuned for more details when it launches next week.