Talking Drums, an indie studio, has kicked off an open beta for Trench Tales, a gothic shooter that reframes World War I as a haunted theatre of war where folklore collides with steel and fire. The beta opens doors to a broader audience and includes participants from Russia, creating a global testing ground as development proceeds.
Trench Tales unfolds in an alternate France scarred by siege and sacrifice. The player ventures into Verdun’s labyrinth of trenches, marshes, and blasted flats, pursuing whispers of a mystery that refuses to stay buried. Along the route, combatants meet eerie beings drawn from folklore and nightmare while wielding an arsenal that blends mystic powers with traditional firearms. The designers promise a wide range of weapons, more locations to explore, destructible environments that respond to every shot and spell, and customizable weapon settings to tailor performance to each mission.
The studio’s creative lead is Alexander Ponomarev, a 3D artist who has contributed to high-profile projects such as Prey (2017), Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, and Rise of the Tomb Raider. His background signals the level of craftsmanship players can expect in character models, weapon designs, and atmospheric visuals that aim to fuse historical texture with supernatural energy.
Registration for the Trench Tales open beta is available on Steam, inviting fans to join early and offer feedback on balance, level design, and the feel of supernatural combat. At present, there is no Russian localization, and no formal release date has been announced, which is typical of a live-test phase where the team gathers data before a wider release. Players should expect ongoing patches and updates as the beta evolves, along with transparency around progress and milestones.
While Trench Tales captivates attention, Steam has previously hosted other ambitious demos such as Dynasty Warriors: Origins, which offered access to its first major campaign and set the stage for future expansions. This note underscores Steam’s role as a testing ground for ambitious action titles and for players to experience early content before final polish.
Recent patches in shooter communities highlight ongoing balance improvements, illustrating how rivals and fans discuss mechanics and fair play across different titles.