VEKARRA is a strategy indie RPG currently in Early Access on PC. Players lead a company of four adventurers into procedural expeditions beneath the fishing town of Vekarra, descending through abandoned mines and pilgrim caves into the Abyss. The game emphasizes building a roster, managing resources across runs, and adapting tactics in a system where every choice affects the outcome of the expedition.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around assembling a party of four heroes selected from a roster of eight. After each victory, players draft new skills and then upgrade them at camp from one to three stars. Relics and supplies can be purchased to further customize the group. There are no experience levels, so progression comes entirely from these build decisions and how they interact with seven tactical aspects during combat and exploration.
Expeditions take players across seeded node maps that include battles, elite encounters, camps, shops, treasure, narrative events, and biome bosses. A fallen hero is removed for the remainder of that run. A full party wipe ends the expedition, though permanent unlocks carry over to expand starting options in future attempts. The first paid release covers Acts 1 and 2, featuring the Upper Reaches and Shattered Depths biomes along with their two bosses and 24 creatures from the planned 48-creature bestiary.
Combat operates on a two-stage Active Time Battle system. Enemies select an action, commit to it, and then charge toward execution on a visible timeline. Players must read the timeline, select the correct target, and interrupt lethal moves before they land. Skills rely on cooldown cycles rather than mana, making rotation management essential for success.
Game Modes
Solo play is fully implemented in the current Early Access build. Two-player local co-op and host-based online co-op are still in development, with verification required before they appear in a paid release. The full version 1.0 target includes support for up to four players in both local and hosted-online co-op, plus local and hosted-online human 1v1 matches.
The campaign currently stops after Act 2 and cannot be completed in this version. Future updates aim to add Acts 3 and 4, the remaining bosses, the full bestiary, and the story conclusion. Steam achievements, selected cosmetic skins, localized text review, and final polish are also planned for the complete release.
Building and Progression
Each descent forces adaptation because the procedural elements and permanent consequences reshape available options. Players cross node maps that mix combat with rest stops and events, forcing decisions about when to push forward or regroup. The absence of traditional leveling means every skill draft, star upgrade, and relic purchase directly defines the party's strengths and weaknesses for that run.
Seven tactical aspects influence how builds perform across different encounters. Successful expeditions yield new starting options through unlocks, encouraging repeated plays to experiment with different hero combinations and skill paths.
Is It Worth Playing?
VEKARRA suits players who enjoy strategy RPGs focused on build crafting, timing-based combat, and roguelike run consequences. The Early Access version delivers the first two acts with solo expeditions, a functional Active Time Battle system, and the core drafting and upgrade mechanics. Those interested in testing and providing feedback on an evolving indie title will find the current scope substantial enough to explore multiple runs and party compositions.
Co-op features remain unavailable until further development and testing. The game targets a complete experience with four acts, the full bestiary, and multiplayer support in version 1.0, though plans may shift based on player input. For solo strategy enthusiasts comfortable with Early Access titles, the implemented systems offer a clear foundation to evaluate whether the full vision aligns with their preferences.
