The Ember Guardian Demo Brings Roguelike Base Defense to Steam

Pixel art and perilous nights are just the beginning: The Ember Guardian is an indie gem that fuses 2D side-scrolling, base-building, and tower defense, freshly arrived with a playable demo on Steam. Thanks to publisher Slug Disco, French developer Ratbit Games is ready to introduce their post-apocalyptic vision to strategy lovers and roguelike fans alike—with plenty of reasons to stay up late defending your camp.

The Ember Guardian: Roguelike Defense, Pixel Art Style

Steam demo live: includes intro, tutorial, main level, and endless mode
Blends resource management, 2D shooting, and tower defense in a moody, post-apocalyptic world
Roguelike upgrades for your character, camp, workers, and even your trusty dog
Streamer mode with safe, royalty-free music for content creators

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Slug Disco
Release Date	TBA (Demo live May 16, 2024)
Genres	2D Side-Scrolling, Base Building, Tower Defense, Roguelike
Platforms	PC (Steam)

If you live for that “last stand under moonlight” adrenaline rush, The Ember Guardian draws inspiration from the likes of Kingdom’s side-on mechanics and Dome Keeper’s frantic mix of defense and resource grinding. What sets it apart? Persistent progression—each failed night unlocks new upgrades, letting you tweak strategies and return stronger, keeping every attempt feeling fresh (and just a little bit desperate).

The Ember Guardian - side-scrolling pixel art action — Side-scrolling pixel art action in The Ember Guardian’s demo.

After a brief tutorial, the demo drops you into a main level built for 20–40 minute runs. The rhythm is simple but addictive: by day, assign workers to gather resources, build up your defenses, and prep for trouble; by night, you’re on the front lines, blasting through monstrous waves with upgradable gear. Survive five nights, and you’ll unlock endless mode—where leaderboard glory (and longer runs) await.

At its core, The Ember Guardian is a roguelike. Each run lets you invest in permanent upgrades at a central HUB, covering everything from your character and weapons to structures, workers, and your loyal canine pal. Whether you triumph or fall, every attempt builds your arsenal—echoing the addictive loops of Dead Cells and Hades.

Building and defending your camp at night in The Ember Guardian — Prepare your camp by day, defend it by night—upgradable weapons and structures mean no two runs are the same.

Streamer support is baked in, too: an in-game “streamer mode” swaps out the soundtrack for DMCA-safe, royalty-free music, making it a breeze for creators to broadcast without worry. It’s a modern touch that shows Ratbit Games is tuned in to today’s indie scene.

With Slug Disco (of Empires of the Undergrowth fame) on board, there’s promise for extra polish and reach. While the demo is just a taste, the combination of lush pixel visuals, tactical base management, and roguelike hooks hints at a potential future favorite among genre fans.

Pixel art world exploration in The Ember Guardian — Explore a beautifully desolate pixel art world, brimming with secrets.

Curious to see if you’ve got what it takes to survive? The Ember Guardian demo is free on Steam and ready for action, offering a sample of its procedural challenge and ever-evolving base building. With development ongoing, it’ll be fascinating to watch how Ratbit Games balances challenge, progression, and narrative in the crowded indie arena.

TL;DR: The Ember Guardian’s Steam demo delivers tense 2D base defense, roguelike upgrades, and pixel art style—with streamer-friendly features and plenty of replay value for fans of Kingdom, Dome Keeper, and beyond.

Source: Slug Disco via GamesPress