The Indie CRPG That Refuses to Die
Stygian Software just released the second alpha demo of Underrail 2: Infusion, and fans are rightfully excited. The original Underrail, released in 2015, became a cult classic among CRPG enthusiasts – compared favorably to Baldur’s Gate, Fallout 1 & 2, and Arcanum. Seven years later, the developer is back with a sequel that fundamentally rethinks how the game plays while maintaining everything that made the original special. The new alpha demo shows significant progress and design clarity that suggests we’re getting closer to something genuinely special.
Combat Gets Reactive
The biggest change from the original Underrail is the new combat system. The first game used fully turn-based combat where every action completed before the next turn began. Underrail 2 abandons that approach for something more fluid – atomic turn-based combat that’s inspired by traditional roguelikes. When you take an action, your character performs a short action like in classic roguelikes. That same amount of time gets granted to NPCs simultaneously, so large encounters don’t devolve into endless watching while a dozen enemies finish their turns.
This matters because the original Underrail had notorious pacing issues during big fights. You’d take your turn, then watch enemies move one by one, then watch your turn come around again. The new system compresses that wait time. Your action happens fast, NPCs react simultaneously, and combat flows instead of stutters. Players who’ve tested the alpha report that the new system feels much more responsive while maintaining tactical depth.
The Visuals Jump Forward
Underrail 2 ditched the original’s top-down isometric perspective for a slightly angled camera that shows more detail without losing the classic isometric identity. The animations are smoother, environments look more detailed, and character models have noticeably improved. It’s still an indie game with a modest aesthetic, but the visual leap from the original is immediately obvious.
The alpha demo runs smooth, with responsive controls and clean UI improvements. There’s still an ugly screen aesthetic – fitting for an underground post-apocalyptic setting – but the game looks unquestionably better than Underrail 1. For an indie studio working on a passion project, the visual improvements are commendable.
Setting and Story Changes
Underrail 2 takes place in the distant future where surface life has become impossible and humanity survives in the Underrail – a massive metro system protecting the last remnants of civilization. You play as a scavenger searching through ruins for technology and resources. The game puts you in the hidden city of Solidon at the start, but players speculate that the northern regions of the Underrail – setting up potential continuation of story threads from the original – might get explored.
The developer initially said Infusion wouldn’t be a direct sequel, but they’ve since renamed it from just “Infusion” to “Underrail 2: Infusion.” That suggests there’s more connection to the original story than first announced. Fans have questions about what happened to major characters from the first game, and the northern setting leaves room for those threads to be addressed.
What’s Still Unknown
The alpha is still very early. Full dialogue hadn’t been implemented in the demo footage shown. Major gameplay systems, questlines, and story beats remain in development. The developer hasn’t announced a release date, and based on the early alpha state, release is probably years away. But the quality of what’s been shown so far suggests when it does launch, Underrail 2 will be worth the wait.
There’s also the question of how the new combat system scales with difficulty. Turn-based CRPGs live and die by their late-game challenges. If enemies become frustrating under the new system instead of challenging, that could undermine the entire redesign. Players have expressed concerns about this balance, but the developers are clearly aware of it.
Why This Matters for Indies
Stygian Software represents what happens when a small team gets funding and support to work on their passion project long-term. There’s no pressure for yearly releases or quarterly earnings. They can take seven years, completely redesign the combat system, improve the visuals, and refine every system based on what they learned from the original. That kind of development freedom is rare in modern gaming.
The fact that Underrail 2 exists at all is remarkable. The original was a cult success, not a mainstream blockbuster. Most publishers would never fund a sequel to a game like that. But Stygian Software owns itself and can make decisions based on creative vision rather than shareholder returns. Underrail 2 is the direct result of that independence.
FAQs About Underrail 2: Infusion
When is Underrail 2: Infusion releasing?
No release date has been announced. The project is in early alpha development. Based on the state of the current alpha demo and Stygian Software’s past development timelines, expect a full release somewhere between 2026-2028. Early Access may come before that, but there’s been no announcement.
How do I access the alpha demo?
The alpha demo 2 can be downloaded from the official Underrail website at underrail.com/infusion. You can also wishlist the game on Steam. Alpha demos are free for people to try, though details on whether final access will require purchase haven’t been finalized.
Is Underrail 2 a direct sequel to the original?
Initially the developer said it wouldn’t be a direct sequel, but changing the name to “Underrail 2: Infusion” suggests more connection than first indicated. You play a different character (a scavenger rather than a specialist), but the story may continue threads from the original game.
Do I need to play the original Underrail to enjoy the sequel?
Not necessarily. The sequel features a new protagonist and story, so you can jump in without playing the original. However, playing Underrail first will give you context about the world, its history, and potentially help you understand references or callbacks in the sequel.
Will the original Underrail still be playable?
Yes. The original Underrail remains available on Steam and will continue to be playable. Underrail 2 doesn’t replace it. Both games will exist as separate experiences. The original Underrail expansion, Expedition, is also still available if you want to experience more of the first game’s world.
How long will Underrail 2 be?
The original Underrail provided 30-50 hours depending on playstyle and completionism. Underrail 2 will likely be comparable in scope, though the developer hasn’t confirmed exact length. The early alpha only shows a small slice of the full game.
What happened to the developer between the original and the sequel?
Stygian Software released Underrail: Expedition, a major expansion to the original game, in 2019. Expedition added 250+ new areas, raised the level cap to 30, introduced jet skis, new weapon classes, a new psi school (Temporal Manipulation), and over 80 new feats. Work on Underrail 2 began after Expedition’s release.
Is Underrail 2 coming to console?
As of now, only PC has been announced. Console versions haven’t been mentioned. Given that the original Underrail remained PC-exclusive, Underrail 2 will likely follow the same path, at least at launch.
Conclusion
Underrail 2: Infusion represents indie game development at its best – a small team with complete creative control taking time to do things right. The new alpha demo shows significant progress, meaningful design improvements, and a clear vision for where the sequel is heading. The revamped combat system addresses one of the original’s biggest pain points while maintaining tactical depth. The visuals have noticeably improved without compromising the aesthetic. If the developer can maintain this trajectory through full development, Underrail 2 will be a worthy successor to the cult classic original. It won’t be out tomorrow – probably not for several years – but the wait is already feeling justified. For CRPG fans who loved the original, Underrail 2 is worth keeping on your radar.