Erosion: Open World Roguelike Action Game Announced in Wild West Setting

The gaming landscape is always evolving, and one of the most exciting recent developments comes from the fusion of familiar genres with fresh, unexpected settings. Enter "Erosion," a new open-world roguelike action game that throws the Wild West into a temporal blender. Developed by Plot Twist, the creators behind titles like The Last Case of Benedict Fox, and published by Lyrical Games, this game promises something truly unique: a Wild West adventure where your character’s resurrection comes at a steep, time-altering cost.

At its core, "Erosion" is a tale of a father’s desperate quest to rescue his daughter from a mysterious, time-warping monolith controlled by a ruthless warlord. Your journey begins in the familiar grit of the American frontier, but it quickly spirals into something far more complex. Each time your character falls in battle, the world around you fast-forwards a decade. Your daughter ages, the landscape transforms, and the people you once knew evolve—or disappear—into new, unrecognizable futures. It’s a mechanic that not only raises the stakes but also injects a profound emotional layer into the gameplay.

The developers, Plot Twist, have described the game as one driven by compelling narratives and innovative mechanics. CEO Tomasz Gawlikowski emphasized the studio’s commitment to creating immersive, story-driven experiences: "Our goal with Plot Twist was to build games that prioritize engaging gameplay and meaningful storytelling. In 'Erosion,' the tragedy of time slipping away with each death creates a deeply personal connection to the mission." This isn’t just another roguelike; it’s an emotional rollercoaster disguised as a Wild West romp.

But don’t let the emotional depth fool you—this game is anything but subtle. The open world of "Erosion" is vast and alive, teeming with possibilities. You might start in a peaceful farmhouse, only to return years later and find it overrun by a cult worshipping ancient chickens. Or perhaps you once helped a local merchant, only to discover he’s built an empire by the time you reclaim your daughter. Every decision, from whether to join the cult to how aggressively you pursue your goal, ripples through the world, shaping alliances, altering landscapes, and rewriting the course of history. It’s a testament to the power of player agency in an unpredictable, branching narrative.

Outside of the story, "Erosion" offers the kind of chaotic, fun-filled action that has become a staple of the roguelike genre. The world is built with destructible voxel environments, meaning battles can erupt in spectacular, physics-driven chaos. You can blast through walls, trigger cascading collapses, or just flip a table in a fit of rage—there’s no judgment here, only opportunity. Combine this with an arsenal of bizarre weapons, from blood-powered ritual bows to a legendary chicken-slaying gun that shoots bouncing eggs, and you’ve got a recipe for madness. Add to that hundreds of skills and combinations, including the ability to command legions of cats or even clone yourself, and the game’s replayability becomes almost infinite.

The visuals are equally striking, with Lyrical Games praising the developer’s "remarkable visual style and unique tone." The studio’s confidence in the project is clear, and it’s easy to see why. "Erosion" isn’t just another entry in the crowded open-world or roguelike genre; it’s a bold experiment that pushes boundaries in both storytelling and mechanics.

For fans of games like Dead Cells or The Witcher 3, "Erosion" offers a chance to revisit the Wild West through a lens that’s equal parts heartbreaking and exhilarating. It’s a game that challenges you to not only survive but to confront the consequences of your actions—something that feels increasingly rare in today’s gaming world.

"Erosion" is set to launch in early access on Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store in spring 2026, with a full release planned for later that year, including support for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. For now, the journey begins in a world where time is a currency, and every choice could be your last—or your salvation.