Brew is launching tomorrow. Snow Leaf Studios’ action-packed third-person roguelite releases on November 6, 2025 on Steam and Epic Games Store, and based on the official release trailer and player reactions to the available demo, this adorable potion-brewing adventure is about to become an unexpected indie darling. The game asks a simple question: what if alchemy students had to fight their way through an ever-shifting tower while constantly brewing potions to enhance their abilities in real-time combat? The answer is chaos, strategy, and way more fun than you’d expect from a smaller indie studio.
What Is Brew?
Brew casts you as a student at the Alchemy Academy, where you’re tasked with ascending The Tower – an ever-changing roguelite dungeon that represents your exams. The premise is deliberately whimsical: becoming an alchemist requires surviving increasingly difficult challenges where your primary tool isn’t just your weapon, but your ability to brew potions mid-battle. You gather ingredients, combine them while dodging enemy attacks, create powerful potions that enhance your stats and abilities, and use multiple weapons to defeat dangerous foes.
The core gameplay loop is simple but compelling: enter a room, gather ingredients, brew potions while managing combat, defeat enemies, and progress deeper into the tower. Each run is different because roguelite mechanics mean randomized enemy placement, item drops, and progression paths. But the potion-crafting system is what separates Brew from dozens of other roguelites – it forces you to engage with inventory management and strategic choices mid-combat rather than just between rooms.
The Potion System Makes Combat Strategic
Rather than relying purely on execution and positioning, Brew adds a crafting layer that forces constant decision-making. You’re not just fighting – you’re managing ingredients, deciding which potions to brew based on what’s available and what you need in the moment. Do you brew a health potion because you’re low on health? Do you craft a damage-boosting potion to burn down a tough enemy faster? Do you save ingredients for late-game potions that are more powerful? These decisions happen in real-time while combat is ongoing, creating a level of strategic depth that most roguelites don’t attempt.
The system also means your build evolves dynamically. Unlike roguelites where you pick up permanent upgrades and move on, Brew’s potion system is consumable. You use your potions and have to craft new ones. This creates constant engagement with the crafting mechanics rather than just the combat mechanics.
Hundreds of Unique Badges and Progression
Beyond the core gameplay loop, Brew includes deep progression systems. The game features hundreds of unique badges (passive ability upgrades) that you can unlock across runs. These badges create different viable builds and playstyles. Some might boost potion effectiveness, others enhance weapon damage, others improve survivability. The sheer number of badges suggests significant depth for players who want to theory-craft and optimize builds.
This kind of progression system transforms roguelites from “try to beat this once” into “discover all the different ways to beat this.” When there are hundreds of upgrades to unlock and combine, repeat runs feel different every time.
Demo Reception: Surprisingly Strong
Snow Leaf Studios released a playable demo on both Steam and Epic Games Store, and player reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. The demo gives players a taste of the tower and lets them experience the potion-brewing system firsthand. Reviews consistently describe the game as “adorable,” “colorful,” and “surprisingly fun.” For a smaller indie studio, that kind of pre-launch reception suggests the game has found its audience.
What’s particularly impressive is that players seem to understand what makes Brew different from other roguelites. They’re not comparing it to Hades or Slay the Spire because Brew isn’t trying to be those games. It’s doing its own thing with the potion-crafting system, and players appreciate the unique identity.
| Feature | Brew’s Implementation | Impact on Gameplay |
|---|---|---|
| Potion Crafting | Real-time mid-combat brewing | Adds strategic layer beyond combat execution |
| Weapons | Multiple weapon types available | Different playstyles and combat approaches |
| Badges | Hundreds of unique passive upgrades | Deep progression and build diversity |
| Tower | Randomized roguelite dungeon | Each run feels different |
| Exams | Boss encounters and challenges | Difficulty curve and climactic moments |
| Aesthetic | Colorful fantasy alchemy theme | Visual identity stands out in genre |
Launch Details and Availability
Brew launches on November 6, 2025 (tomorrow) on Steam and Epic Games Store for PC. A demo is available right now on both platforms, so if you’re curious about whether the game is for you, you can download and try it immediately. The official release trailer dropped on October 30, showcasing the game’s colorful combat, potion-brewing system, and tower exploration.
Snow Leaf Studios has been transparent about their vision and committed to the release window. Unlike many indie games that slip their dates multiple times, Brew has maintained its November 6 target throughout development, suggesting a team that has execution under control.
The Indie Roguelite Landscape in 2025
Brew enters a roguelite market that’s absolutely saturated. Between Hades, Slay the Spire, Roguebook, and dozens of others, the genre has become incredibly competitive. For an indie game from a smaller studio to stand out requires either exceptional execution or a genuinely unique mechanic. Brew has both. The potion-crafting system gives it identity, and the demo feedback suggests the execution is solid.
This is actually a positive sign for indie game developers. It proves that players will discover and embrace new roguelites if they offer something genuinely interesting. Success doesn’t require massive marketing budgets or established franchises – just solid game design and a unique perspective on the genre.
FAQs
When is Brew releasing?
Brew releases on November 6, 2025 on Steam and Epic Games Store. That’s tomorrow from the current date (November 4, 2025).
How much does Brew cost?
Pricing hasn’t been explicitly stated in the trailers or announcements, but most indie roguelites price between $15-25. Specific pricing will be revealed on the store pages at launch.
Is there a demo available?
Yes, a playable demo is available right now on both Steam and Epic Games Store. You can download and play it immediately to get a feel for the game.
What platforms is Brew on?
Brew is launching on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). No console versions have been announced as of launch.
Who developed Brew?
Brew was developed and published by Snow Leaf Studios, an independent game developer. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary David Levy.
How long are runs?
Run length hasn’t been explicitly stated, but based on the tower structure and roguelite format, expect individual runs to take 20-40 minutes on average.
Is it similar to any specific game?
Brew is a third-person action roguelite with crafting mechanics. If you enjoy games like Hades, Luck be a Landlord, or potion-crafting systems, Brew should appeal to you. It’s not a direct clone of any specific game – the potion-brewing system is its unique selling point.
Will there be post-launch content?
Snow Leaf Studios hasn’t announced specific post-launch content plans yet. That will likely be revealed after launch based on player reception.
Conclusion
Brew launches tomorrow, and if the demo reception is any indication, Snow Leaf Studios has created something special. In a market saturated with roguelites, Brew’s potion-crafting system gives it genuine identity. The colorful aesthetic, strategic depth, and hundreds of badge upgrades suggest a game designed with both accessibility and replayability in mind. For indie game fans looking for something fresh in the roguelite space, Brew is absolutely worth your attention when it drops on November 6. And if you’re on the fence, the free demo is right there on Steam and Epic Games – download it now and experience what all the demo hype is about.