I Relished Playing 33 Immortals in Early Access, and There’s More to Come

Thunder Lotus has crafted something truly special with their latest multiplayer offering, 33 Immortals, a game that instantly stands out in the crowded market of online experiences. It’s now available for everyone to delve into, and subscribers to Xbox Game Pass can jump right in without hesitation. Inspired by the timeless narrative of the Divine Comedy, players step into the shoes of sinners rebelling against their fate, ready to fight their way through Hell, Purgatory, and eventually, the celestial realms of Heaven.

Currently in early access, the developers decided to launch 33 Immortals this way to gather player feedback and polish the game’s core mechanics. Before its early access debut, I managed to jump into several escape attempts, and I must say, it perfectly balances cooperative and competitive play as players find themselves in a thrilling mix of collaboration and rivalry.

In my first encounter with the game, soon after its announcement, I had a taste of its potential. Now, the early access version offers a richer dive into what awaits players. Echoing the style of beloved roguelikes like Hades, you can choose from weapons such as a bow or sword, each offering unique attack styles and powerful abilities, before you set off on your escape attempt.

While solo play is an option, I highly suggest gathering a couple of friends to maximize the game’s potential, as some abilities require coordinated teamwork. Teamwork is crucial not only for executing these abilities but also for reviving fallen allies—a necessity given how formidable your foes can be early on.

The game thrives on cooperative strategy, with players banding together to explore maps, gather upgrades, and face formidable dungeon foes. The pursuit of power isn’t limited to gear alone; players can tweak three key stats to enhance health, damage, and teamwork capacity. This strategic advancement becomes vital as players clear a certain number of dungeons, triggering a countdown that forces everyone into an epic showdown as the map erupts in flames.

This mechanic pushes players to grow as strong as possible before advancing. When the “Ascension” battle kicks off, those left standing face relentless waves of tough adversaries, and surviving this chaos momentarily allows players to regroup for the grand challenge—facing Lucifer himself.

I won’t spoil too much, but the scale of this climactic battle is truly epic, demanding seamless coordination from all players if they hope to emerge victorious. Failing or dying does reset a significant portion of your progress, but don’t be too disheartened; the game offers meta-progression through Perks that enhance stats and provide bonuses as you unlock them, giving players an enticing carrot to chase after each attempt.

The current perk system could use a little more diversity to support varied playstyles, and I’m hopeful for enhancements in this area. Thunder Lotus is responsive, already tweaking the game based on player feedback—the dodge speed, for example, has seen a much-needed boost, drastically improving maneuverability.

For those craving a departure from traditional multiplayer games, 33 Immortals offers a delightful blend of roguelike elements and high-stakes cooperative action. This early access period is not just a testing ground but an opportunity for developers to refine the experience further.

I’m eagerly rounding up some friends to tackle the Inferno again, sharpening my skills for when Paradiso finally unlocks. 33 Immortals is now available through Xbox Game Preview/Early Access on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, accessible via the Xbox PC app and the Epic Games Store. It’s also part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass lineup, making it an experience not to be missed.