Crystalfall Blends Steampunk ARPG Action with Web3 Elements

Swedish indie studio Cold River Games is making waves in the world of blockchain games with its upcoming title, Crystalfall. Backed by a $2 million funding round led by Beam Investments and supported by notable names like the Avalanche Foundation and CoinFund, Crystalfall is shaping up to be a standout action RPG that fuses classic hack-and-slash gameplay with emerging web3 elements.

Let’s explore what makes Crystalfall one of the most exciting new entries in the ARPG genre—and how blockchain could quietly enhance the experience behind the scenes.

A Major Milestone for Cold River Games

Cold River Games, based in Umeå, Sweden, secured a $2 million investment to bring Crystalfall to life. The funding round came at a time when the game investment market has grown cautious. Yet, CEO Åke André said the studio found strong support from both local and global investors.

"The money was very easy to come by," said André. "VCs are more conservative now, so this was a meaningful win for a Swedish game studio.”

Cold River Games is using the funds to finish development and launch Crystalfall on Steam in 2025. A beta is expected before full release, and excitement is already brewing among ARPG fans.

Crystalfall’s Unique Steampunk World

Set in a post-apocalyptic steampunk universe, Crystalfall introduces players to a world shattered by a mysterious asteroid. You’ll play as a hybrid mutant—part human, part animal—with classes like lion-inspired Knights, fox-like Gunners, and crow-like Technomancers.

Each class has a distinct identity:

• Knights are tanky frontline warriors with crowd control.

• Gunners wield rapid ranged weapons and high mobility.

• Technomancers use magitech staves for battlefield manipulation.

The art direction leans heavily into steampunk aesthetics, a visual style André calls "an underserved niche." This bold choice may help Crystalfall stand out in a market often dominated by fantasy or sci-fi tropes.

Deep Loot Systems and Build Variety

One of the most exciting features in Crystalfall is its loot-driven progression system. Much like Path of Exile or Diablo II, loot is king. But Crystalfall takes it a step further.

Items come with procedurally generated skill trees, meaning each piece of gear can unlock new abilities or power-ups. This results in endless build possibilities and encourages deep theorycrafting.

"Our priority is to make a fun game," said André. "But we also want to ensure the economy around loot is secure and fair."

This is where blockchain technology may play a quiet but powerful role.

Blockchain Features That Enhance, Not Distract

While not the core focus, Crystalfall may include subtle web3 features to support its in-game economy. Cold River Games believes that blockchain has a real use case in ARPGs, especially when it comes to item trading and security.

Items placed on-chain become traceable and secure, helping to prevent fraud and scams in peer-to-peer trades. Each item has a recorded history, and players gain more control over the economy.

"Blockchain can enhance the barter economy," said André. "But we’re optimizing user experience so it doesn’t disrupt the game."

This philosophy of blockchain in the background is becoming a trend in next-gen blockchain games, where the tech empowers players without compromising gameplay.

Multiplayer, Guilds, and Seasonal Events

Beyond solo play, Crystalfall supports multiplayer co-op, guild systems, and seasonal content. Seasons are tied to lore events called the Nexus, which offer regular resets and fresh metas to explore.

Features include:

• Randomly generated dungeons

• PvE steampunk enemies

• Item-based skill progression

• Deep character talent trees

• In-game trading and guilds

With each new season, players are encouraged to experiment with new builds, strategies, and combinations—keeping the game world alive and evolving.

A Team With Veteran ARPG Roots

Cold River Games isn’t new to game development. The studio, originally called Crypto Rogue Games, was founded in 2021 by Åke André and Daniil Sanders. The team now includes 23 industry veterans from top studios like Grinding Gear Games (Path of Exile), Paradox Interactive (Stellaris), and Fatshark (Warhammer: Vermintide).

Their collective experience is reflected in the game’s thoughtful design and commitment to replayability, loot depth, and build diversity.

"We’ve been making games since 2000," André said. "This is our most ambitious project yet."

Strong Community Momentum

Since its announcement, Crystalfall has attracted a loyal following:

• 20,000+ Steam wishlists

• 12,000+ Discord members

• 100+ player ambassadors

Early internal tests have shown positive results, and there’s a growing appetite for games that blend classic ARPG mechanics with modern features like blockchain-secured items and co-op play.

“Crystalfall isn’t just another ARPG,” said Parker Heath from Avalanche Foundation. “It’s a bold bet on where the future of gaming is headed.”

Final Thoughts

Crystalfall could very well be one of 2025’s breakout indie hits. With its fusion of steampunk aesthetics, deep loot mechanics, and subtle web3 integration, it’s carving out a niche in both traditional and blockchain gaming circles.

As more blockchain games explore ways to deliver value without friction, Crystalfall is proving that the future might just be hybrid—where fun comes first, and blockchain quietly makes everything smoother.

Keep an eye on Cold River Games as they prepare for beta and full release. One thing’s for sure: loot lovers and ARPG fans won’t want to miss this one.