A brand new game on Steam called Dark Heart of Balor was released, mixing elements Diablo and Castlevania create something fresh. While the new Steam game is a classic Metroidvania at heart, its aesthetic looks like something massively inspired Diablo games and it's amazing.
Dark Heart of Balor launched on January 2, 2026 after being in Early Access for over three years. Its history is interesting in that its Early Access release came in August 2022, then only received a single update, a minor patch one day after release. This is in contrast to how many games use the Early Access program, which iterates over time in response to player feedback to create a final product. Instead, Dark Heart of Balor went straight from Early Access to full version, nothing in between. This radio silence led many to believe the game had been abandoned, a sentiment echoed on the game's Steam forums from players disappointed by the lack of updates. However, Dark Heart of Balor it's finally here.
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New Steam Metroidvania Has Serious Diablo Vibes
Players can find Dark Heart of Balor on Steam right now for $12.74, an introductory 15% discount until January 9th to celebrate its full release. Developers Game Artists describe the game as a “dark fantasy hack and slash side scroller” where players head “into dark crypts, demon-infested wilderness and demonic rifts in the fabric of the world” to face “death traps, ambushes and puzzles”. Each level has its own unique environment and will make “interesting use of player skill and movement”.
Initial user reviews of the game are labeled “positive”, with 91% positive at the time of writing. Most of the game's reviews come from its Early Access days, praising the solid Metroidvania for its platforming elements and its combat, while some others criticize the controls. However, those written since the full release have been universally positive, with one description Dark Heart of Balor as “a great little gem”.
As for inspirations, there are sure to be a few that come to mind when you look at them Dark Heart of Balor. Everything about the visual aesthetic, the monsters players face, and even the user interface just screams Diablo. It is undoubtedly a positive comparison – Diablo has a distinct style and demon horde slaying games never get old, be it action RPGs or side scrollers like Dark Heart of Balor. But still, as a dark fantasy side-scroller, compared to Castlevania they will always be appropriate.
According to the developer, the full release is for Dark Heart of Balor it reimagines “every level, adding new locations, improved NPCs, improved game systems, and improved the user interface to make the experience exciting and rewarding.” It's a significant step up from the Early Access version of the game. However, the developer clarifies that “not every originally planned feature made it into this release” as it “decided to focus on providing a higher quality and more enjoyable out-of-the-box game rather than just adding more content”. That said, it doesn't appear to be the end of the road Dark Heart of Balor. At launch, the developer says that fan support “allows us to constantly improve and expand the game with new levels, NPCs, worlds to explore and continue the story.” It would be worth seeing if this great side scroller can gain some momentum in the future, especially if it gets even more content in the future.
