Picture it as a Red Dead Redemption-style RPG spin-off, only wrapped in dark fantasy. It’s slated for 2026 and is being aimed squarely at fans of Path of Exile 2. Black Hand studio plans to launch the action RPG The Dark West in early access toward the end of 2026.

There’s no shortage of Diablo-like action RPGs, but The Dark West is trying to stand out with its twist on the formula. Just two weeks ago, another entry in the genre was announced by veterans behind some of Blizzard’s best Diablo games, but this one drags that same gameplay idea into the Wild West. The Dark West mixes dark magic, deckbuilding, and punishing combat into something that could be worth watching, especially for anyone who’s ever wondered: “What would a Red Dead Redemption RPG look like?”

According to developer Black Hand, it’s a “hardcore action-RPG” where players take on dark-magic-fueled enemies split between two rival factions – The Order and The Damned – while trying to become the last survivor on a cursed frontier. Each run will let you shape hidden abilities and tactics through a card system that directly affects both combat and character progression.

An ARPG Trying to Pull in Diablo and Path of Exile Fans

Still, The Dark West isn’t planning to go easy on anyone. The whole pitch is built around difficulty, with the clear intention of appealing to players raised on series like Diablo and Path of Exile. That means facing all kinds of threats across Wild West locations, from abandoned towns to mines hiding unknowable horrors. To make those encounters feel more manageable, the game leans on cards: using poker cards, you’ll build decks packed with extra abilities and bonuses to help you survive one more day.

Black Hand says it has wanted community involvement from the very start of development. “We made The Dark West because we love ARPGs and wanted to build the game we’ve always dreamed of playing. From the very first moment, we’ve brought the community into every step of development. Their feedback is shaping the combat, the story, and the world. This is a game made with players, not just for them,” the project’s creators explain.

While there’s still no official release date, players can already add The Dark West to their Steam wishlist. What we do know is that Black Hand’s project is set to arrive in Early Access in late 2026. That unfinished build will include several acts and bosses, plus most of the core gameplay systems, although some features will still be missing.

Source: 3djuegos