How VOIN’s Permafrost Update Elevates Indie Action RPGs

When I first caught wind of VOIN’s Permafrost update, I braced myself—and not just for the chill or the promise of another pixelated hack-and-slash. Since the game snuck into Early Access (a program where developers release playable but unfinished titles to gather player feedback), I’ve been tracking solo dev Nikita Sozidar’s progress. The announcement of a 16× map expansion, a brand-new talent tree system (think of it as a branching skill chart that lets you specialize your character), and colossal Ice Giants felt audacious. Permafrost seems poised to push VOIN from a modest pixel RPG toward a full-fledged action RPG that demands attention.

From Pixel Hackfest to RPG Ambitions

Early versions of VOIN were pure hack-and-slash: you clicked or tapped through waves of generic foes, leveled up by accumulating experience points, and occasionally snagged new gear. Those loops are satisfying in short bursts, but they lack depth for long-term engagement. With Permafrost, Sozidar introduces a structured progression system that goes beyond simple stat boosts. The Reflected Tree of Talents allows players to invest soulfruit (an in-game resource acquired by defeating enemies) into distinct pathways—one branch might boost your sprint speed while another refines your dodge window. This design encourages experimentation, empowering you to tailor combat styles rather than follow a one-size-fits-all build.

A Landscape Frozen in Ambition

Adding a 16-fold increase to VOIN’s playable terrain is a staggering move for a solo developer. Instead of just dumping more snow textures, Permafrost delivers varied sub-biomes—from crystalline caverns to wind-swept tundra—each with its own lighting and hazards. This sense of scale shapes exploration: hidden caves might house rare crafting materials, while open plains could host roaming patrols of Ice Forged elite enemies. For players accustomed to indie dungeons or compact stages, this open-world feel stands out. It isn’t open-world in the grand epic sense, but it’s enough to spark genuine curiosity about what lies beyond the next ridge.

Deepening Combat with the Reflected Tree of Talents

The talent tree mechanic is key to keeping combat fresh. Instead of simple level-ups that increase a handful of numbers, the tree offers meaningful choices: do you prioritize mobility and evade more damage, or do you beef up offensive power to cleave through hordes? Every decision branches into new opportunities—unlocking a frost-infused slash ability or improving your stamina recovery, for example. For newcomers, think of “talent trees” as interactive skill charts common in many role-playing games (RPGs). They let you shape your hero’s evolution, rewarding players who take risks rather than grind by repeatedly defeating basic adversaries.

Breathing Life into Lore and Quests

VOIN’s previous builds had minimal storytelling—mostly environmental clues and cryptic item descriptions. Permafrost takes a bolder stance by weaving actual quests into its gameplay. A new journal tracks objectives, from simple “collect X item” tasks to more involved mission chains that uncover the origin of the Ice Giants and the haunting call of an entity referred to only as “HER.” This “breadcrumb” style of worldbuilding invites players who relish piecing together lore fragments. Fans of narrative-focused indies like Salt and Sanctuary or even lighter Soulslikes will appreciate quests that feel purposeful rather than padding.

Confronting the Ice Giants and New Threats

Palette-swapped foes are a quick way to fill space—fortunately, Permafrost avoids that trap. Meet the Ice Giants: hulking brutes with frost armor and devastating area-of-effect attacks. These mini-bosses serve as skill checks, forcing you to leverage your talents and environment. Alongside them come new weapon types, such as slashing glaives and frost bows, each with distinct mechanics. Switching gear isn’t just a visual tweak; it can demand a complete rework of your talent path. Such design choices increase replayability and respect players’ time by ensuring every encounter feels consequential.

Is Permafrost Worth Your Time?

If you already own VOIN in Early Access, Permafrost is a must-download. There’s enough new content to justify revisiting all your favorite tactics—and unearthing fresh strategies. The expanded map gives seasoned explorers fresh ground to cover, and the reworked progression system rewards both new and returning players. However, remember that Early Access status means some rough edges remain. Expect occasional bugs or balancing issues as new systems settle in. Still, there’s genuine excitement in watching an ambitious indie title take these kinds of leaps for just $19.99—especially when $60 AAA action RPGs often play it safe.

The Road Ahead for VOIN

Permafrost feels like a statement of intent from Nikita Sozidar. It shows a willingness to break out of comfort zones—and to trust players with bigger worlds, deeper systems, and harder bosses. What’s next? More refined endgame content, perhaps multiplayer modes or new biomes? Only time will tell. For now, VOIN stands out as an action RPG that continues to evolve rather than stagnate. If you’re after a dark-fantasy adventure with the polish of community-driven development, it’s worth tracking this one on Steam. Bundle up, stock your soulfruit, and dive into the frost—just don’t get frozen out.

Quick Specs

Feature	Details
Publisher	tinyBuild
Release Status	Available Now in Steam Early Access
Genres	Action RPG, Hack-and-Slash
Platforms	PC (Steam)