Australia isn’t exactly known for churning out genre-defining multiplayer survival games, but that might soon change. I recently got some hands-on time with Renown, the upcoming medieval multiplayer sandbox by Brisbane-based RDBK Studios, and even in its early development phase, it’s already showing immense promise.
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During my short playtest, I was able to jump into the thick of things—raiding enemy encampments, gathering resources, testing out its base-building system, and getting my hands dirty in its brutal (but surprisingly approachable) combat. Shortly after my session, the developers pushed out a new update that further refined the fluidity of fighting, smoothing out animations and giving combat an even tighter, more responsive feel. It’s clear the devs are listening to feedback and iterating fast.
A Lighter, Sharper Take on Medieval Combat
If you’ve played Kingdom Come: Deliverance or Life is Feudal, you’ll feel right at home in Renown—but with far less frustration. Combat in Renown borrows the directional strike mechanics from those titles, allowing players to slash from the left, right, overhead, or thrust their weapon forward. Successfully landing a hit opens the opportunity to chain into satisfying combos.
Blocking and stamina management are straightforward but important—this isn’t a “spam and pray” kind of system. Timing, movement, and reading your opponent make all the difference. It’s more accessible than the punishing realism of KCD, but it retains the satisfying skill ceiling that rewards players who want to master the sword, the spear, or the bow. And yes, the weapon selection is already diverse, from massive two-handers that cleave through foes to nimble one-handed blades and ranged options.
Build Big, Raid Hard
Building in Renown is where things get particularly exciting. While the system might seem daunting at first glance, it offers a completely freeform experience. You can construct everything from a humble wooden outpost to a sprawling stone fortress, limited only by your resources—and your imagination. What’s more, the game is designed around cooperation. Friends can help you plan, gather, and build, making communal strongholds both strategic and social.
Raiding plays into this structure perfectly. Like Rust, you’re not just building to build—you’re building to survive. Once players start knocking on your castle gates with siege weapons or torching your palisades, you’ll quickly learn that structure and defense matter just as much as style.
A Living, Breathing Server World
The world of Renown is big. Really big. According to RDBK Studios, the official servers will support up to 80 players per map at launch, and during my play session, it felt like the world could easily handle that player count with room to spare. The terrain is varied, the settlements feel meaningful, and resource-rich zones naturally encourage tension and conflict between groups.
What’s more exciting is that RDBK intends to release the server engine to the public post-launch. That means custom rulesets, modding, and private servers—opening the door for unique community-driven experiences. Want a full-permadeath server with no HUD? Go for it. Want a roleplay-heavy server with scheduled jousts and court intrigue? You can make that happen too.
Rust, But Make It Medieval
While it might be tempting to call Renown just another medieval combat sim, the developers themselves prefer to describe it as a “Rust-like”—and that’s a fair comparison. It’s got the open-world survival elements, the tension of player-driven conflict, and the joy (and pain) of base building and raiding, but wrapped in chainmail and set in a time where honor mattered—at least until someone stole your loot while you slept.
But Renown also feels fresh. It’s not just copying a formula—it’s refining it. Combat is deeper. Building is more flexible. And there’s a level of polish and responsiveness that’s often lacking in early-access survival games.
Final Thoughts
Even though I only had a few hours with Renown, it left a lasting impression. RDBK Studios isn’t just throwing together a cash-grab PvP slugfest; they’re crafting something with weight, with ambition, and most importantly, with potential. If they keep iterating at this pace and continue to listen to community feedback, Renown could carve out a name for itself as the next must-play multiplayer survival experience.
Renown is set for public release in Q3 2025. Keep your eyes on this one—it might just surprise you.
