Burning Sword: Death Sun launches into Steam Early Access on November 17, 2026. Bangkok-based developer Nomadic Games and publisher Rising Tide Publishing confirmed the wuxia hack-and-slash will launch with five handcrafted stages, five main bosses, and two secret bosses.
The free demo, released September 30, will remain available through the Early Access launch.
Handcrafted Stages Follow Zhang Yixian’s Revenge
You play as Zhang Yixian, leader of the Crimson Dust Demon Sect, returning from the edge of death to hunt Gao Tianqi. The master of the Death Sun poison stands at the end of a road guarded by other martial arts masters.
Every stage is linear and hand-built, with no procedural or randomized layouts. Secrets, upgrades, and additional abilities provide reasons to revisit them.
Build Power and Switch Skills Mid-Combo
Landing attacks fills the Power Gauge, letting you Ignite the Burning Sword to strengthen your strikes. Quick Shot provides a ranged option with three ammunition types you can switch between during combat.
You can equip three skills and change between them mid-combo. Defeating bosses unlocks additional skill branches, while a revive ability costs one equipped skill to use.
Qi Drain draws energy from enemies marked with red meridian lines. Charms found within stages provide passive effects, and selecting a passive three times lets you keep it.
Arena Mode offers endless, score-driven combat alongside the main adventure.
New Chapters Planned Every Eight Weeks
The planned full game spans five chapters and twelve handcrafted stages, with nine named bosses, two secret bosses, and additional elite minibosses.
Nomadic Games plans new chapters every eight weeks during Early Access, adding stages, bosses, story content, skills, and arena challenges. The team plans smaller gameplay adjustments more frequently, with a detailed roadmap following launch.
Burning Sword: Death Sun enters Steam Early Access on November 17.
