Sea of Remnants locks in December closed beta

Sea of Remnants topped Steam’s Trending Upcoming chart back in February, and NetEase Games and developer Joker Studio have now dated its next major test. Announced alongside a new story concept trailer titled “Embers,” the free-to-play open-world RPG’s “Dawnbreaker” closed beta test opens on December 3, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PT (00:00 UTC on December 4). It runs on PC via a dedicated launcher, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS via TestFlight, and Android, marking the first time console players can join a test.

Pre-downloads open on December 1 at 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. EST / 13:00 CET). Access is limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis, so NetEase is advising players to download the client in advance and log in promptly once servers go live.

21 characters, two new seas, and Peril Theatre

Sea of Remnants casts players as a puppetfolk sailor searching for lost memories, pairing open-world sailing and real-time naval battles with turn-based combat on land. The Dawnbreaker build includes 21 playable characters: the Traveler protagonist, twelve permanent Purple Spot characters, six permanent Black Spot characters, and two limited-time Black Spot characters. NetEase says the roster supports a range of team compositions, from pursuit-focused setups to area-of-effect damage builds.

Two new regions, the White Sea and Bridge Sea, open up alongside new Journey and Roaming Quests. Players also choose a starting ship before their first voyage, picking between the Fireworks Wanderer and the Drift Bottle, each with its own naval combat style. For tougher content, the new Peril Theatre is a high-difficulty challenge built to test team compositions and tactical skill.

Multiplayer minigames return

Lucky Duel and Goose Chess, the casual minigames from earlier tests, remain available, though matchmaking is limited to players on the same server. NetEase says it will introduce a fully shared-world multiplayer experience progressively after launch.

The Embers trailer leans into the story, revisiting the fall of the Mad King and the collapse of the alliance between the Five Great Houses, with the player stepping in as the new captain of the Drift Bottle. Sea of Remnants is due out on PC via Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iOS, and Android in early 2027.