Voin, the Doom meets Dark Souls RPG, expands with a chilling major update

The first time I ever played Voin, I was instantly hooked. The first-person dark fantasy RPG deftly blends Dark Souls and Doom into something completely new, and is well worth playing if you haven’t yet. On the one hand, Voin’s got the methodical swordplay and exploration of Fromsoftware’s best. On the other, it has id’s fast-paced, brutal, and blood-pumping action that refuses to ever slow down. I adore Voin because it manages to jump between these states of being on the fly, turning it into a game unlike any other. Now, its next major update is here alongside a sale, making it the ideal time to dive in.

At its core, Voin is a videogame about cutting your enemies to ribbons. You’ll spend most of your time dancing around hordes of nightmare creatures swinging your sword, dodging, and using an array of abilities to come out on top. Much like Doom The Dark Ages, you hack and slash your way through monsters and cleave off limbs. I’ve called Voin a ‘boomer slasher’ on multiple occasions, and I still think this fits the game perfectly.

Now, Voin’s solo developer Nikita Sozidar has released the new Permafrost update, and it could easily help the game join our list of the best RPGs on PC today. First up is the patch’s new area: The Grimmir Expanse. This frozen biome is absolutely colossal, with a variety of new activities, enemies, and even all-new weather conditions for you to contend with. Voin has always had sweeping vistas that put Anor Londo to shame, and this new area continues that tradition.

It’s not all tranquil views, however, as you’ve got a range of deadly enemies to face off against. Towering snow giants and ice golems stand in your way, but if you can master Voin’s dodging mechanic, you’ll easily take them down. The Grimmir Expanse is also home to new items and consumables, which are sure to help you take on the extra dangers.

The Permafrost update also offers you the first step into Voin’s quest system. You’ll meet a new NPC, Aurelia, and work with them to gain access to a dungeon and story boss. As you explore you’ll come across Voin’s brand-new leveling system, which makes getting stronger much simpler. Going forward, instead of having to go back through a portal to spend your earnings to level up, you’ll gain levels automatically. This means you’re constantly getting stronger by defeating enemies and completing quests, ensuring the flow of Voin’s gameplay remains uninterrupted.

Voin’s early-access journey has been one of consistent changes and improvements, and Permafrost is no different. Sozidar already revamped Voin with the first major update earlier this year, and I’m certain there’s more to come. If you’re looking for a change of pace amid the huge Steam Summer Sale, you can’t go wrong with this ferocious experience.

The Voin Permafrost update is available now. You can also buy the game at 20% off until Thursday July 10, so expect to pay $15.99 / £13.40 until then. Just head here.

If you want more, we’ve also got all the best open-world games and fantasy games available on PC today.

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