The wait is finally coming to an end, as the online world that fuses the bleak moods of STALKER and Metro is almost ready for launch and now has a firm release date. PIONER is set to arrive on Steam on December 16th in an early access version packed with content, promising a hefty dose of post-apocalyptic chaos from day one.

It is obvious that today’s games market is overflowing with first-person shooters, which means every new project has to fight hard to secure its own space. Studios also understand that modern players expect more than just shooting and pretty visuals, so each release needs an extra hook. In this landscape, one of the most intriguing projects we have already talked about before is PIONER, an open-world MMO with a post-apocalyptic setting that immediately calls to mind the atmosphere of Metro and STALKER.

PIONER Launches Soon

PIONER transports players to a huge, ruined island riddled with anomalies, where survival mechanics, extraction-shooter systems, and classic online progression are all blended into a single experience. If you have been keeping an eye on the project, there is good news: the team has finally revealed the early access release date and gone into more detail about what buyers can expect once they pick up the game in the coming weeks. According to the studio, PIONER will debut in early access on PC via Steam on December 16th.

Those who purchase the base version will receive a bundle of cosmetic items, a stash of Efritanium crystals and the honorary title of “Founder”, while the Deluxe Edition adds several weapon skins, a “Katana” wristwatch, and the “Renegade” outfit. Beyond these bonuses, the main attraction of PIONER is its island of more than 50 square kilometers, filled with Soviet-style architecture, hidden dungeons, and a mix of story quests and faction missions that together flesh out the world’s lore, as reported by Gematsu.

Following the latest open beta held in the middle of this month, PIONER is currently centered on PvE zones, complemented by certain PvP areas known as Shadowlands that act as resource extraction modes with their own rewards. On top of that, there are survival systems that force players to manage hunger, rest, and supplies, along with a crafting system tied to artifacts and anomaly energy. Looking beyond the initial early access phase, GFA Games has already outlined a roadmap that hints at what comes next.

The Game That Blends STALKER And Metro Now Has A PC Early Access Date

Looking ahead, GFA Games plans to further expand the content with more story-driven material and fresh activities, including up to six different dungeons that mix open spaces with missions designed around player cooperation.

Source: 3djuegos