Grim Dawn

Grim Dawn is an action RPG set in a ruined fantasy world. You control a custom-built hero from a top-down perspective, fight monsters and collect weapons, armor and rare materials. The campaign combines loot hunting with quests, faction choices and a freely explorable game world.

Crate Entertainment developed and published the game. Its main strength lies in combining two masteries into a unique combat style.

Grim Dawn was released on February 25, 2016 for PC. The native Xbox One version followed on December 2, 2021, with the Definitive Edition. On Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox One version runs via backward compatibility, not as a separately released Series version.

The PC version received several major expansions over the years. Fangs of Asterkarn was released on July 23, 2026.

Grim Dawn was originally released for PC and Xbox One. On PC, it is sold through Steam and GOG, among others. The Xbox version is offered as the Definitive Edition and is also playable on Xbox Series X|S.

The original Xbox release bundles the base game with Ashes of Malmouth, Forgotten Gods and the Crucible arena mode. Fangs of Asterkarn is available on PC. Crate Entertainment has announced an Xbox release for it but has not named a specific date.

Grim Dawn combines real-time combat with exploration and the hunt for loot. Along the paths through Cairn are optional dungeons, secret areas and dangerous enemies. Skills, resistances and gear determine how well a character holds up against different enemy types.

Quests can affect individual characters and settlements. Besides the main missions, hidden challenges and rare items await.

Ashes of Malmouth was released on Oct 11, 2017 and moves the story into new areas with additional quests and masteries. Forgotten Gods was released on Mar 27, 2019 and expands the adventure with new regions, movement skills and the Shattered Realm. The PC version of Forgotten Gods also requires Ashes of Malmouth.

Fangs of Asterkarn was released on Jul 23, 2026. The expansion takes you to the mountains of Asterkarn and adds the Berserker mastery, potion customization and Ascendant Mode. It also requires the two previous story expansions on Steam.

There is also the Crucible arena mode and cosmetic Loyalist packs. These are not standalone sequels.

Steam lists a minimum of an x86 processor from 2.3 GHz, 2 GB RAM, a graphics card with 512 MB video memory, DirectX 9.0c and 5 GB free storage. Recommended are a processor from 3.2 GHz, 6 GB RAM and a graphics card with 1.5 GB video memory and DirectX 11.

The original game requirements mention older Windows versions. The current Steam client requires Windows 10 or newer. Extensive expansions take up additional storage space.

After a supernatural catastrophe, humanity in Cairn stands on the brink of extinction. Ethereal invaders and chthonic cults fight for the world, while scattered survivors seek shelter. As a hero, you explore abandoned settlements and ruins and meet allies whose interests do not always align.

A character can combine two different masteries. This creates, for example, melee fighters with magic skills or ranged fighters with supporting summons. Each mastery has its own skills and passive boosts, and their combination shapes the build.

The expansions added more masteries. Fangs of Asterkarn adds the Berserker with shapeshifting as the tenth mastery.

Through the Devotion system, you unlock additional abilities and bonuses in constellations. The choices can strengthen damage, resistances or survivability, for example, and expand the possibilities of class combinations.

Weapons and armor differ not only in their base stats. Rare properties, components and relics can support entire playstyles. In crafting, you can use found materials for new items and upgrades. Item skills also contribute to character development.

Several groups in Cairn react to your actions. By completing quests and defeating enemies, you change your reputation and unlock special goods from allied factions. Other groups become hostile and send stronger enemies against you.

Grim Dawn can be played alone or with up to four people together. On PC, online co-op and LAN co-op are available. The Xbox version also supports online co-op for two to four players.

After the first campaign, higher difficulty levels and demanding encounters offer new goals for equipped characters. The separately sold Crucible mode focuses on enemy waves in an arena. Forgotten Gods adds the Shattered Realm as a repeatable challenge.

Fangs of Asterkarn adds Ascendant Mode. It is aimed at characters at level 100 on Ultimate difficulty and changes the main game world with additional dangers and rewards.

The PC version of Grim Dawn supports modifications and includes editing tools. This lets players create their own adventures and game variants. Which mods work together depends on how each one is made.

The PC version offers German user interface and German subtitles, among other things. Full voice acting is listed on Steam for English.