Plague Alchemist by Hardcoded is a story-driven cozy crafting and survival pixel art RPG that’s coming out in Early Access on February 27, 2026. It’s a game of quiet mystery and discovery, and unlike other adventures, you’ll be solving this one with crafting, not combat. In Plague Alchemist, you are an outcast doctor investigating a mysterious plague that has left villagers trapped in an unnatural sleep. Which you find out is linked to the collapsing boundary between the magical and non-magical realms.
The atmosphere of Plague Alchemist is a little darker for a cozy game, but if you enjoyed the slightly foreboding tone of Grimshire or Grave Seasons, then this one’s worth a look.
Alchemy As Both Science And Art
Plague Alchemist is a game about exploration and experimentation to root out and eliminate the corruption. You’ll spend your days crafting potions, pastes and elixirs to help the villagers. But not everything can be found in your recipe books. You’ll need to discover and combine the ingredients you forage on your journey. Hidden interactions, powerful reactions, and rare transmutations lost to time await those who experiment. Only careful study and observation can reveal the secret of this plague.
Expand Your Codex
Nothing is by the books here, and you’re the only one left to record it all down. Venture across forests, ruins, and corrupted lands that shift with time and weather. Gather herbs, minerals, and rare components hidden throughout the open world. Document these ingredients, creatures, and environmental phenomena in your Codex. Every page reveals new insight into the world and the corruption spreading through it.
Seal the Leylines
To stop the plague for good, you’ll need to seal the leylines found in seven elemental dungeons: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Body, Mind, and Spirit. Each conceals a fragment of the corruption spreading through the land. Every dungeon introduces new biomes, alchemical materials, and environmental puzzles requiring preparation and keen senses.
The first dungeon, the Earth Portal, launches with Early Access. The remaining six arrive through free content updates as development continues.
Plague Alchemist
Hardcoded is launching Plague Alchemist in Early Access to build with community feedback. The initial release includes core systems—alchemy, exploration, quests—plus the first major region and the Earth Portal dungeon. Full development is estimated at 2–4 years, with the price increasing over time as content is added.
The game is out on Early Access for PC on Steam on the 27th of February 2026 and is available to wishlist now.
