Independent developer iDiOSLAB and publisher NGJ Corporation have announced an expanded demo for Delve Survivors, a tactical dungeon-crawling RPG that combines the fast-paced progression of Survivors-style games with traditional turn-based strategy. The demo will be featured during Steam Next Fest, running October 19–26, 2026.
Developed in Japan, Delve Survivors challenges players to navigate randomized dungeons, battle increasingly dangerous monsters, and create powerful character builds. Unlike conventional Survivors games, enemies move only when players take action, making positioning and decision-making central to survival.
Delve Survivors Combines Survivors Gameplay With Turn-Based Strategy
Most Survivors-style games focus on surviving continuous waves of enemies through real-time movement, automatic attacks, and increasingly powerful upgrades.
Delve Survivors takes a different approach by introducing turn-based mechanics inspired by classic roguelike RPGs.
Enemies remain stationary until the player moves or performs an action, allowing players to evaluate threats and plan their next steps.
However, the game introduces an additional challenge: players must reach the depths of each dungeon within a limited number of turns.
This creates a balance between careful tactical planning and the pressure to continue advancing.
Every Movement Becomes a Strategic Decision
Instead of relying primarily on quick reflexes, players must consider enemy positioning, available resources, and the consequences of each action.
The game features monsters with different behaviors and bosses with specialized mechanics, encouraging players to adapt their strategies.
Randomized dungeon layouts further increase the importance of exploration and preparation.
Steam Next Fest Demo Features Four Dungeons and Three Classes
The expanded Delve Survivors demo introduces four distinct dungeons, each containing dangerous enemies, hidden treasures, and challenging bosses.
Players can select from three character classes: Warrior, Archer, and Magi.
Each class supports different approaches to combat and character development, with numerous skills and equipment combinations available.
Hundreds of Items Support Different Character Builds
The game includes hundreds of collectible items, including weapons, armor, and accessories.
Players can combine equipment with different abilities to create customized builds suited to their preferred playstyles.
Character progression also extends beyond individual dungeon runs.
While players experience rapid progression within each dungeon, collected loot and equipment can carry forward, allowing characters to become stronger over time.
The system combines the short-session progression associated with Survivors games with the longer-term character development of traditional dungeon crawlers.
Three Game Modes Offer Different Levels of Difficulty
The demo includes three gameplay modes designed for different player preferences.
-
Casual Mode: Allows players to explore dungeons at a more relaxed pace.
-
HardCore Mode: Introduces permanent death, meaning players lose everything when their character dies.
-
Casual Rogue Mode: Provides an intermediate challenge in which players risk losing their equipment.
The game also supports mouse, keyboard, and controller inputs, offering multiple ways to navigate dungeons and manage combat.
Online leaderboards allow players to compare their performance with other adventurers.
Developers Aim to Modernize Classic Dungeon-Crawling RPGs
Ryan Wolf, co-creator of Delve Survivors, explained that the development team wanted to combine the accessibility of Survivors games with the deeper mechanics of traditional role-playing adventures.
“What I love about Survivors games is how they take the core RPG experience and condense it into an exciting 15- to 20-minute adventure,” said Ryan Wolf, co-creator of Delve Survivors. “We wanted to build on that idea by bringing more of the exploration, strategy, and character development of classic dungeon crawlers into that same compact experience. The goal was to preserve what made those games special, while making them feel fresh and accessible to players discovering this style of RPG for the first time.”
The developers intend to preserve the appeal of compact gaming sessions while providing greater opportunities for exploration, tactical combat, and character customization.
Hellgate Dungeon Planned During Steam Next Fest
The expanded demo offers more than an hour of gameplay for the average player, with additional replay value through different classes, equipment combinations, and randomized environments.
For experienced players, iDiOSLAB also plans to introduce Hellgate, a challenging late-game dungeon designed to test advanced character builds.
Additional Dungeons Available for a Limited Time
The developers plan to make additional dungeon content available exclusively during Steam Next Fest, from October 19 through October 26.
Hellgate is expected to arrive later during the event, providing an additional challenge for players who have already explored the initial content.
These limited-time additions will give players access to a larger portion of the game ahead of its full release.
Delve Survivors Steam Demo Availability
Delve Survivors is developed by iDiOSLAB and published by NGJ Corporation.
The expanded pre-release demo will be featured during Steam Next Fest, October 19–26, 2026.
Players can access the game’s Steam page to learn more about its dungeon-crawling mechanics, character classes, and upcoming demo content.
A Tactical Alternative to Traditional Survivors Games
By replacing real-time combat with turn-based movement, Delve Survivors offers a different interpretation of the increasingly popular Survivors formula.
Its combination of randomized dungeons, persistent equipment progression, customizable builds, and limited-turn objectives places greater emphasis on planning and strategic exploration.
The expanded Steam Next Fest demo will provide an opportunity to experience these mechanics before the game’s full release.
Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
