The verdict
Alabaster Dawn from Radical Fish Games hit Early Access on May 7, 2026. Mini review based on press and Steam community feedback: sharp combat, solid puzzles, twitchy camera. 4.5/5.
TL;DR: Alabaster Dawn is an Action RPG from Radical Fish Games (the studio behind CrossCode), released in Early Access on May 7, 2026. Combat is precise, dungeon puzzles are detailed, and there’s a hint system CrossCode never had. Score: 4.5/5
Who it’s for
This game is aimed at players who like top-down 2.5D Action RPGs that mix pixel art with 3D. If you played CrossCode to its conclusion and griped that the dungeons were too long, this entry feels noticeably more polished. As NoisyPixel notes, the combo system and attack pacing — combined with parries — feel great in the hand, ideal for players who enjoy depth in their level-up loop.
3 things players praise
- Sharper combat: RPGFan highlights clear enemy telegraphs, smooth parries, and the importance of positioning even against trash mobs.
- Fixes CrossCode’s weak spots: party members in the Hall of Trials dungeon and an NPC-driven hint system (Filia and the sea pig “Cabbage”) prevent players from getting stuck the way they could in CrossCode [Power Up Gaming].
- Striking visuals: the pixel art and 3D blend cleanly, looking sharper and more modern than its predecessor. GamesRadar calls it “maybe even better than CrossCode.”
3 things players gripe about
- Camera is too twitchy: Steam community discussions complain about a camera that pans and zooms on its own, leaving some players nauseous [Steam Community].
- Dialogue lands unevenly: some critics describe the writing as “Marvel-style,” talking down to the player.
- Crossbow disrupts movement: players report the crossbow stops the character abruptly when they didn’t intend to fire.
Price and value
Early Access on Steam runs about $24.99. With expected playtime around 30+ hours for the content available now — and the prior demo earning “Overwhelmingly Positive” at 98% from 1,807 reviews — this is excellent value at the price. CrossCode fans won’t be disappointed.
Verdict
Alabaster Dawn launches with a very strong foundation. Combat and dungeon design are clearly evolved from CrossCode. The minor camera and writing issues are tunable in patches. For indie Action RPG fans, this is one of the most worthwhile games to follow in 2026.
Note: this mini review synthesizes public Steam community discussions and press coverage from RPGFan, NoisyPixel, GamesRadar, and Power Up Gaming, plus data from the demo’s 1,807 public reviews. ToolNerdy hasn’t hands-on tested the game yet.
Read next: Subnautica 2 Early Access May 14 — Day One on Xbox Game Pass