TL;DR Quick Summary
- What kind of game: an MMO-lite open-world action RPG on Steam with an officially stated RuneScape-inspired design, built around the "train your skills" loop.
- Skill system: no fixed classes; you freely train multiple gathering, crafting, combat, and occultism skill lines — you become what you train.
- Early game: prioritize gathering and life skills for a steady flow of resources and gold, then round out combat skills gradually; it is the smoothest route for beginners.
- Gear logic: equipment strength comes from your crafting and gathering levels, not dungeon loot; life skills and combat should grow in parallel.
- Multiplayer: solo exploration and co-op with up to 100 players per server; start solo or in a small group and join world events in the mid and late game.
Game Type: an MMO-Lite Open-World Action RPG on Steam
Game Type: an MMO-Lite Open-World Action RPG on Steam
Everlast: Undying Tale launched on Steam Early Access on October 28, 2026, developed by an independent team. On its website and Steam page the game describes itself as an "open-world MMO-lite action RPG", whose core loop pays tribute to the classic MMORPG RuneScape: instead of strong quest-based guidance, the "gather — craft — level up — explore" growth loop is the backbone of the gameplay.
In Everlast, players explore the fantasy continent of Sarkis, a land plagued by the undead and ancient ruins, growing stronger by training more than ten independent skill lines, forging equipment, completing quests, and exploring the world. The studio also highlights its bright-fantasy art style and its co-op experience: you can play solo or on public servers with up to 100 simultaneous players.
- The game is built on the gather, craft, and level-up loop; it is not a dungeon-loot RPG
- In the open world you can freely switch between combat, gathering, and crafting, with no fixed classes
- It supports both solo-style exploration and large-scale multiplayer co-op
If it does not play, you can visit the official YouTube channel for the latest trailers and gameplay videos.
Key similarities and differences vs. RuneScape
| Dimension | RuneScape | Everlast: Undying Tale |
|---|---|---|
| Skill system | Multiple independent lines, no classes | Multiple independent lines, no classes |
| Combat feel | Turn-based / tick-based | Real-time action combat |
| World scale | Giant MMO | MMO-lite, lighter weight |
| Online mode | Large public servers | Solo / private / 100-player public |
| Platform | Browser / client | Steam (PC) |
How to choose your first skill line?
| Direction | Growth speed | Early benefit | Late value | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gathering (woodcutting/mining) | Fast | High (sell resources for gold) | High (crafting materials) | ★★★★★ |
| Crafting (forging/artisan) | Medium | Medium (self-sufficiency) | Very high (top-tier gear) | ★★★★☆ |
| Combat (melee/ranged) | Medium | Medium (unlock zones) | High (bosses and quests) | ★★★★☆ |
| Occultism | Slow | Low | Very high (late spells and rare items) | ★★★☆☆ |
The Skill System in Depth: You Become What You Train
The Skill System in Depth: You Become What You Train
Everlast's skill system follows the classic RuneScape design: every skill gains experience and levels independently, and character strength is entirely the sum of your skill levels, not talent trees or gear scores. Skill lines revealed so far include Woodcutting, Forging, Artisan, Survival, and Occultism, among others.
Experience requirements in Everlast grow exponentially with level. If you split your time evenly across five or six lines early on, all of them will stall at mid-low levels: you will neither beat mid-tier monsters nor craft advanced gear. The right approach is to specialize in 1–2 gathering skills + 1 crafting skill, and level combat only as the map demands.
What each skill line does and how to level it
| Skill line | Main function | How to level | Key unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodcutting | Obtain raw wood materials | Chop trees of different tiers | Advanced wood → top crafting materials |
| Mining | Obtain ores and gems | Deposits spread across zones | Iron, steel, rare gems |
| Forging | Make metal gear and tools | Smelt ores + forge at the anvil | Steel ingots → top weapons and armor |
| Artisan | Craft items, containers, and fine goods | Synthesize at the workbench | Backpack upgrades, quest items |
| Survival | Cooking and wilderness self-reliance | Process food, outdoor activities | More efficient food and supplies |
| Occultism | Spells and rare items | Research arcane materials, rituals | Powerful spells and late-game special gear |
Recommended leveling priorities
Phase 1: Gathering foundation (levels 1–20)
Early on, prioritize woodcutting or mining until you can reliably obtain mid-tier raw materials. Gathering skills are the most dependable source of your "first handful of gold": low-tier ores and wood always have demand in trade and crafting. Do not chase combat power in this phase; simply avoid strong enemies.
Phase 2: Pick up crafting (levels 20–40)
With a stable material income, raise Forging or Artisan to turn ores into gear and wood into tools. Self-made gear noticeably cuts early costs, and surplus goods can be sold for gold.
Phase 3: Reinforce combat (after level 40)
Once you can supply yourself with gear, focus on combat skills. With a stable economy and equipment, farming monsters becomes far more efficient than fighting unprepared.
Phase 4: Occultism and specialization (late game)
With the economy and combat consolidated, invest in slow-maturing skills like Occultism, unlock spells and rare items, and complete your character's transformation from "artisan" to "full adventurer".
Gear and Combat: Life Skills Determine Equipment Strength
Gear and Combat: Life Skills Determine Equipment Strength
Unlike traditional loot-driven RPGs, obtaining gear in Everlast depends largely on the crafting chain: your ore tier determines the quality of gear you can forge, and your artisan level determines the quality of trinkets and items you can create. This means that "not being able to win" is often not a skill problem — your gathering and crafting levels simply are not there yet.
Gear source priority
| Gear source | Reliability | Ceiling | Requirements | Recommended scenario |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Own forging | Very high | High | Mining + Forging level | Main gear source |
| Quest rewards | High | Medium | Quest progress | Transition and supplement |
| Merchant purchases | Medium | Low | Gold reserves | Early emergencies |
| World loot | Low | Uncertain | Luck | Surprise supplement |
Early-game gear route
- Levels 1–15: use basic weapons from quest rewards or merchants as a transition; do not sink crafting resources in yet.
- Levels 15–30: once iron mining unlocks, forge your first set of iron weapons and armor.
- Level 30+: unlock steel ingot crafting (iron + coal smelting) and enter the steel-gear stage, with a notable power jump.
- Late game: rare gem sockets and Occultism items further boost gear attributes.
The Steel Bar is synthesized in the furnace from iron ore and coal, and it is the key material for the mid-game gear overhaul. Stockpile a batch of ingots as soon as the Basic Furnace unlocks instead of crafting them on demand: demand explodes during the gear-upgrade wave.
World Exploration and Map Progression Pace
World Exploration and Map Progression Pace
Zone design on the Sarkis continent follows a "level progression + resource tiering" logic: the closer to the starting area, the lower the resource tiers and the weaker the monsters; the deeper into the swamps, graveyards, and other outer zones, the higher the resource quality and the risk.
Known zones overview
| Zone | Function | Main resources | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kal Crossing | Novice hub town | Infrastructure, merchants, quest starts | Low |
| Southern Swamps | Mid-tier exploration zone | Mid-tier gathering nodes, quest lines | Medium |
| The Abyss | Deep challenge zone | Advanced materials, strong enemies | High |
| Great Graveyard | Undead-themed zone | Occultism-related materials | Medium-high |
Recommended progression pace: use Kal Crossing as your supply base, clear nearby quests and low-tier gathering nodes first, then push into Southern Swamps; The Abyss and Great Graveyard are best attempted once your gear reaches the steel stage.
Zone exploration checklist
- Complete all of Kal Crossing's starting quest lines
- Reach the gathering level required for mid-tier materials
- Forge your first full set of iron gear
- Unlock steel ingot crafting and stockpile 20+ batches
- Explore Southern Swamps and finish its main quest line
- Form or join a steady group to challenge The Abyss
Multiplayer: Solo, Private Server, or 100-Player Public Server?
Multiplayer: Solo, Private Server, or 100-Player Public Server?
Everlast offers three online modes, each suited to a different type of player:
Solo exploration
- Best for: players who prefer their own pace
- Fully independent progression and resources
- No coordination needed, pause-style play
- Recommended for artisan and gatherer playstyles
Private co-op
- Best for: teaming up with friends
- Shared quest goals and split gathering
- Complementary skills, doubled efficiency
- Recommended for steady groups of 2–4 players
Public server
- Best for: social players and mid/late game
- Up to 100 players per server
- Join public events and world bosses
- More intense resource competition
In the early phase (the first 20 hours) we recommend playing solo or in a private group, focusing on gathering and crafting skills. Once your gear takes shape in the mid game, move to public servers for the multiplayer events: both the rewards and the experience improve. Progress transfer between the three modes follows whatever the official team specifies.
Three modes compared
| Dimension | Solo | Private co-op | Public server |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource competition | None | Agreement within the group | Server-wide competition |
| Quest pace | Fully in your control | Group agreement | Affected by others |
| Sociability | None | High (acquaintances) | High (strangers) |
| Recommended stage | All | Early game | Mid and late game |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Everlast: Undying Tale free to play?
The game launched via Steam Early Access as a one-time purchase; it is not a free-to-play MMO. Check the Steam page for the current price and editions.
Q: What should a beginner's first skill be?
The safest start is woodcutting or mining combined with one crafting skill. Gathering provides a stable early economy and crafting turns materials into gear; once both form a closed loop, add combat.
Q: How similar is it to RuneScape?
The main similarity is the growth structure of 'no classes, multiple independently leveled skill lines' and an economy centered on gathering and crafting. The difference is that Everlast uses real-time action combat and a lighter MMO-lite overall scale.
Q: Can it be played fully solo? Will I miss content?
Yes, it is fully playable solo: gathering, crafting, quests, and exploration all work independently. World events and co-op content exclusive to public servers require going online, but they are not required for the main story.