Zotenhold: The Artisans expands the core experience of Zotenhold with three specialized classes that bring distinct playstyles to the medieval fantasy survival setting. Players select from action, strategy, indie, RPG, adventure, and massively multiplayer elements on PC as they defend against relentless enemy hordes while managing resources and coordinating with others.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on wave-based defense where players construct and maintain fortifications against escalating attacks from the Movalkin. Combat requires role coordination, with tanks drawing threat, damage dealers focusing priority targets, and support classes providing utility through healing or battlefield control. Each class features a dedicated skill tree with multiple progression paths, unique weapons, and abilities unavailable to other options. Progression reaches level 40, and classes integrate into both solo and group play.
The Farmer plants seeds that develop into crop fields during combat, harvests enemies using a scythe and hoe, and summons a scarecrow for defensive support. The Chef operates as a frontline support option, preparing dishes that restore health and grant buffs to the group while wielding a cleaver and channeling fire-based effects. The Artificer focuses on construction and placement, deploying turrets, Tesla Coils, gravity mines, and the Lattice, which connects constructs with arcs of lightning. These additions emphasize resource management, positioning, and team synergy alongside traditional combat and building systems.
Game Modes
The primary experience revolves around endless wave survival on castle walls or similar defensive positions. Difficulty increases with each wave, incorporating elite enemies and dedicated boss encounters that demand coordinated interrupts, threat management, and revival mechanics. The horde scales based on group size, allowing seamless transitions between solo attempts and parties of up to ten players. Building and crafting occur between and during waves, with loot distributed through group rolls that reward participation across all class types.
Class Variety and Progression
Twenty-four classes total exist in the game, each with independent skill trees presented as explorable boards for point allocation. The three artisan additions fit alongside established options and support every available activity without restrictions. Skill choices influence combat effectiveness, utility, and long-term builds, encouraging experimentation across multiple paths per class. Loot and gear systems provide hundreds of items across multiple weapon types, with rarities that reward repeated defensive stands.
Is It Worth Playing?
Zotenhold remains in active Early Access development with regular updates that introduce new classes, enemies, bosses, and mechanics based on player feedback. It supports solo play or online co-op through Steam, with the horde adjusting to party size for balanced sessions. The artisan classes add fresh options for players interested in farming integration, support cooking, or construct-based strategy during waves. Those who enjoy coordinated defense, class experimentation, and incremental fortress building will find the current state rewarding, particularly as updates continue to expand content. No user review scores are available yet due to the development stage.
