HYPER REAL Publishing Helcast, Physics-Based Roguelite Deckbuilder Hits Early Access Q1 2027, Debuting Demo at Gamescom
Helcast, the physics-juggling merge-puzzle roguelite deckbuilder rooted in Norse mythology developed by Ricpau Studios, marches toward Odin’s doorstep through a collaboration with HYPER REAL, and goes godslaying on PC via Steam Early Access in Q1 2027. Go hands-on with the debut demo at gamescom 2026 (Indie Arena Booth, Hall 10.2 F-010 E-019).
Odin, the All-Father, has declared war on the Underworld. The dishonorable dead have escaped Helheim, and they’re dead-set on Asgard’s destruction. Modgunn, the bridgekeeper between life and death, must fight her way from the realm of the dead to the realm of the gods and put an end to this madness once and for all!
Fight through Hel in a combat system where merge puzzles and physics add satisfying tactility to each encounter. Drop weapons into shifting platforms to merge them, dealing damage while becoming a bigger, more powerful weapon. Aim and account for mass, velocity, and ricochets to trigger multi-hit merge combo chains. Modgunn strikes whatever stands above the merge — position carefully or a perfect combo might go to waste in an empty corner.
Each class plays with its own godslaying combat mechanics: balance offensive prowess and defensive resiliency as the Shieldmaiden, whose merge combos build up armor during every skirmish. Or, strike from afar with the Huntress, whose piercing arrows mix with magic that can add Burn, Chill, and Life-Steal onto every hit.
Turn the tide of battle in an instant with Spells and Totems that reshape the arena. Summon a vicious bird of prey with the Eagle Totem that attacks all enemies when hit, and keep the Oath Ring in play for added damage after every merge. Strike the Pulse Stone to blast objects in all directions, opening pathways to merge unreachable weapons beneath the stack.
In the debut demo available at Gamescom, battle through the first realm of mythical brutes across merge-puzzle battles that reward precision as much as planning. Early Access opens up four realms and the first visceral boss battle, with the march on Odin himself arriving at 1.0.
“It’s cliché to say no run is ever the same, but with physics-based merge mechanics, we can say that literally every turn within Helcast’s gameplay is unique,” said Rickard Paulsson, lead developer at Ricpau Studios. “HYPER REAL has taken our original vision for Helcast to new heights, and we look forward to gamescom attendees taking the first look at gameplay at the end of the month.”
Helcast will arrive on PC via Steam Early Access in Q1 2027 with language support options in English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, Spanish, and German. For more information, visit the official HYPER REAL website, follow HYPER REAL on X / Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, follow Ricpau Studios on X / Twitter.
Product Overview
Title: Helcast
Developer: Ricpau Studios
Publisher: HYPER REAL
Platforms: PC（Steam）
Genre: physics-juggling merge-puzzle / roguelite deckbuilder
Release Date: Early Access Q1 2027
Languages: English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, and Spanish (Latin America)
Steam：https://store.steampowered.com/app/3430620/Helcast/
About Ricpau Studios
Founded by developer and artist Rickard Paulsson, Ricpau Studios is a five-person independent team based in Gothenburg, Sweden, with background spanning indie, AA and AAA development. Helcast is the studio’s first commercial release.
X / Twitter: https://x.com/RicpauStudios