The new MMORPG BitCraft has launched on Steam and fans praise the gameplay. However, server performance and monetization are currently causing issues.
What kind of MMORPG is it? BitCraft Online is an ambitious survival MMORPG from Clockwork Laboratories that entered Early Access on Steam on June 20, 2025. It features a graphic style reminiscent of Zelda. All players work together in a single, changeable world to build settlements, create an economy, and compete for territories.
Players can take on various roles such as crafters, traders, or monster hunters, and survival plays a central role. Another unique feature is the developers’ intention to provide the game’s code as “Open Source,” allowing others to learn more about MMO development and potentially contribute to its further development. The controls are done via mouse clicks (Point-and-Click) instead of the usual WASD controls.
Here you can watch the new gameplay trailer for Bitcraft:
26 Euros for a free game
Why do you pay for a free MMORPG? BitCraft is only available in Early Access on Steam. Similar to Path of Exile 2, only players who support the developers gain access. The Early Access fee is €26, even though the MMORPG itself is intended to be free at release.
On Reddit, some players find this questionable. User Duex puts his finger on the wound: “$30 Alpha with wipes, but don’t worry, the cash shop is already fully implemented.” User AdFit9091 also states on Reddit: “I’m not paying $30 [price in the USA] for a game that will ultimately be free. Also, I’m not a big fan of click games.” The controls have been a common source of frustration in the past.
How is the MMORPG received? The release over the weekend didn’t go smoothly. While many gamers praise the MMORPG, there were also the typical genre server issues at launch for BitCraft. This has resulted in varied reviews on Steam.
User Starwolf states on Steam: “It’s incredibly grind-heavy, but I like it. A great secondary game for relaxing. The community also seems very active and nice. It’s like Albion Online meets Runescape without PvP.”
In contrast, Wirbelloser rates it on Steam: “Unfortunately currently unplayable. A connection error after another. I spent 6 hours on the loading screen. I cannot recommend it right now. The game has potential but was simply released too early in Early Access.”
Mythix is also frustrated on Steam:
I like this game, but in its current state, I cannot recommend it. It is only playable for 10-20 minutes at a time, and then I have to log off and quit Steam to completely close all processes and restart everything. I can’t immerse myself in the game when I have to reboot so often. The latency becomes unbearable.
There is a memory leak issue that is still unresolved. I want to support the developers because I think this could be a great game, but buy it only if you’re prepared for serious latency and bugs. Or wait a few months, see if the reviews improve, and then buy it.
Shortly after the release, according to SteamDB, 3,867 players played the new MMORPG at peak times, and on Steam, the new title has a total rating of 70% positive. Despite the criticism, there is frequent praise for the progression systems in the MMORPG as well as the fact that you can really change something in the game world and the cooperative aspect which is essential and well implemented. According to fans, the MMORPG manages to combine grind well with progression and demonstrate what has been achieved.
BitCraft aims to appeal primarily to traders, crafters, and players for whom social aspects are by far the most important in an MMORPG. Whether the developers can resolve the issues quickly enough and whether a player base can solidify remains to be seen. Another MMORPG tested the waters over the weekend: Chrono Odyssey has a lot of potential in the beta, but one thing the new MMORPG does really well
