Frosthaven gets the video game makeover treatment and launches into early access this month

Frosthaven is set to follow in Gloomhaven's footsteps with a video game adaptation slated for an early access release at July's end.

While tabletop games hold their charm, they can often pose hurdles for some players due to complex rules, time-intensive setups, and the need for ample space to house the boards, pieces, and other paraphernalia. Not to mention, rounding up a group of willing adventurers can be a task in itself if your mates are tied up with family commitments, school, or live far away.

This is where digital transformations come as a godsend, making it simpler than ever to dive in and out of these games and even play solo. Cephalofair Games' smash hit Gloomhaven received its digital rendition in 2021 after a couple of years in early access, finally making its console debut in September 2023.

By the time it rolled out on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch, it came packed with all the various DLCs, including the Jaws of the Lion expansion.

The sequel to the popular game, Frosthaven, is set to make its digital debut with an early access release on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store at the end of this month. While there's no word yet on a console release date, fans are hoping it won't follow in Gloomhaven's footsteps, which could mean a four-year wait before it hits PS5 and Xbox Series X|S; by then, we might be welcoming a new console generation.

So, what can players expect from Frosthaven's early access?

In terms of content, gamers will have access to roughly a third of the planned full 1.0 release, including a single-player mode and online co-op multiplayer. The developer plans to roll out post-launch content updates every three months, although it hasn't specified the duration of this schedule.

A special bundle will also be available when Frosthaven early access launches, offering both Gloomhaven and Frosthaven together for those who want to delve into the original game. Here's when you can jump into Frosthaven early access and what to anticipate.

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Frosthaven early access explained

Frosthaven early access is set to kick off on Thursday, July 31. Although there's no confirmed time as yet, based on recent Gloomhaven updates on Steam, it could go live around 12pm BST / 7am EDT / 4am PDT.

However, bear in mind that this is speculative as the developers for both games are different and may operate on different schedules.

As for what to look forward to with Frosthaven early access, here's what's included at launch:

8 unique characters (6 starting, 2 unlockable)

40+ tactical quests

100+ choice-driven events

Build and upgrade your own Outpost

The majority of tabletop gamers agree that the narrative in Frosthaven surpasses its predecessor, Gloomhaven, and tackles several of its shortcomings. Add to this the fact that Isaac Childres, the creator of the series, collaborated with Snapshot Games (headed by CEO Julian Gollop, the mind behind X-COM), and we could be in for a real treat!