Early Access Darlings That Became Cult Classics

29 March 2025

Let’s be honest—video games have come a long way from the days of pixelated plumbers and spiky blue hedgehogs. These days, gamers are spoiled for choice. But for those of us keeping an eye on the "Early Access" section of our favorite digital storefronts, there’s a thrill in discovering hidden gems. It’s like digging for buried treasure without ever leaving your couch. Some of these early access titles turn out to be rough-around-the-edges flops, but, every once in a while, an absolute masterpiece emerges, clawing its way out of obscurity and into the hallowed halls of cult-classic status.

So, what makes an Early Access title a cult classic? It’s got to be more than just solid gameplay. We're talking about games that grow with their communities, games that create stories people still rave about years after their official release. Buckle up because we’re diving into some of the most iconic Early Access darlings that made it big.

What Is Early Access, Anyway?

Before we dive into the games, let's clear something up. Early Access is kind of like a soft opening for video games. Developers release a work-in-progress version of their game, letting players buy in early to test it, offer feedback, and help shape the final product. It’s a bit like inviting someone into your kitchen to taste-test a dish before it goes on the menu. Risky? Sure. But when it works, it’s gold.

Not every game survives Early Access—some fizzle out, others crash and burn in spectacular fashion. But when a game manages to shine despite its scrappy beginnings, you know you've got something special. Now, let’s get to the good stuff.

1. Hollow Knight

First up, Hollow Knight—the little indie game that could. Developed by Team Cherry, this 2D action-adventure game launched in Early Access in 2017 with modest expectations. At first glance, it looked like just another platformer with a cutesy art style. But oh boy, once players got their hands on it, they realized this was something extraordinary.

What made it click? It’s the atmosphere, the tight gameplay, and the sprawling, lore-filled world that feels like a mix between Dark Souls and Castlevania. The Early Access crowd helped polish the mechanics, fine-tune the difficulty, and shape additional features. Fast forward a bit, and Hollow Knight is now a modern classic, with fans foaming at the mouth for its sequel, Silksong.

Would Team Cherry have nailed it without Early Access feedback? Maybe not. But we can definitely thank that scrappy development phase for giving us one of the best Metroidvania experiences ever.

2. Hades

If ever there was a poster child for Early Access success, it’s Hades. Released by Supergiant Games, this roguelike dungeon crawler took its first cautious steps into the public in 2018 as an Early Access title on the Epic Games Store. It wasn’t exactly flying under the radar—a big-name studio was behind it—but no one could’ve predicted just how much of a juggernaut it would become.

The magic of Hades lies in how polished it felt even in Early Access. Players raved about its slick combat, jaw-dropping art, and voice acting that gave Hollywood a run for its money. But what really set Hades apart was how the developers leveraged feedback. They treated Early Access like an ongoing conversation with their audience, regularly updating the game with new features, balancing changes, and narrative tweaks.

By the time Hades exited Early Access in 2020, it wasn’t just a game—it was a cultural phenomenon. It swept up dozens of Game of the Year awards and became one of the most beloved roguelikes of all time.

3. PUBG: Battlegrounds

Let’s not kid ourselves: battle royale games owe a huge debt to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (or PUBG, as the cool kids call it). Back in 2017, when PUBG popped up in Early Access, it felt revolutionary. Sure, the concept wasn’t entirely new—games like Minecraft Hunger Games and Arma 3 mods had flirted with it—but PUBG was the first to nail it on this scale.

It was chaotic, glitchy, and equal parts thrilling and frustrating. But players couldn’t get enough of those nail-biting final circles. Is that a bush or a player? Do you rush them or wait it out? The tension was palpable, and the community feedback during Early Access helped iron out (some of) the kinks.

While PUBG might not dominate the genre anymore—thanks to competitors like Fortnite and Warzone—its impact is undeniable. It pioneered a genre and gave players some of the most adrenaline-pumping gaming moments of their lives.

4. Stardew Valley

You wouldn’t think a farming simulator could spark a gaming revolution, but Stardew Valley proved us all wrong. Although it didn’t technically launch in Early Access (it went through a beta phase instead), the game's success owes a lot to the feedback-driven development model that Early Access embodies.

Solo developer Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) worked tirelessly to bring this pixelated paradise to life. The game’s charm lies in its simplicity: farming by day, chatting up NPCs by night, and uncovering secrets in between. It’s like a warm hug in video game form.

What’s mind-blowing is how much love has gone into Stardew Valley over the years. Even after its release, Barone continued to update it, adding multiplayer, new content, and bug fixes—all in response to fan feedback. It’s a shining example of how listening to players can turn a good game into a great one.

5. Subnautica

Here’s the thing about Subnautica: it’s equal parts breathtakingly beautiful and pants-wettingly terrifying. When this underwater survival game launched in Early Access in 2014, it showed promise but was far from the polished gem we know today.

Subnautica’s Early Access phase allowed players to dive (pun intended) into its alien ocean and provide feedback about everything from game mechanics to story progression. The developers at Unknown Worlds Entertainment took that feedback seriously, crafting an experience that feels like a perfectly balanced cocktail of exploration, survival, and storytelling.

By the time it officially launched in 2018, Subnautica was an undeniable hit, earning high praise for its unique setting and immersive gameplay. It’s the kind of game that pulls you in and makes you lose track of time—probably because you’re too busy scanning coral and dodging leviathans.

6. Rust

Let’s talk about Rust, the game that turns friends into frenemies faster than a Monopoly game on game night. When Rust hit Early Access in 2013, it was part survival game, part social experiment. Players were dropped into a brutal, no-holds-barred world with nothing but a rock and a torch. From there, it was up to them to build, scavenge, and survive—or die trying.

The game’s Early Access period was chaotic, to say the least. Bugs, hackers, and balancing issues were rampant. But through it all, Rust grew a dedicated fanbase, largely thanks to its unpredictability and the sheer insanity of player interactions.

After a long development cycle, Rust officially launched in 2018, and by then, it had solidified itself as one of the most infamous survival games out there. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny its impact on the genre.

Why Early Access Works

So, what’s the secret sauce here? Why do some of these Early Access games go on to become cult classics while others fade into obscurity? A lot of it boils down to community engagement. Developers who treat Early Access as a collaborative process—rather than just a cash grab—tend to see the best results. It’s about building trust, taking feedback seriously, and showing players that their input matters.

Another factor is passion. The developers behind these games weren’t trying to cash in on trends or churn out soulless products. They cared deeply about their projects, and that passion shone through—making it easy for players to get emotionally invested too.

Conclusion

Early Access is a gamble—there’s no way around it. Sometimes it’s a bust, but when it works, it’s like striking gold. Games like Hollow Knight, Hades, and Subnautica prove that with the right mix of vision, community input, and hard work, Early Access titles can evolve into something truly special.

So next time you’re scrolling through Steam, don’t sleep on the Early Access section. Sure, you might run into a dud or two, but who knows? You might just stumble upon the next cult classic.