Have you ever woken up with a whimsical thought, perhaps imagining what life would be like as a bear or a moose, even if just for a fleeting moment? While it might seem like an odd thought to kickstart your day, the developers at 5 Fortress are ready to make that daydream a reality with their upcoming game, Striden. This unique title blends elements of looter shooters and survival gaming with an engaging twist: players can transform into various animals, including a radioactive bear, to battle against opponents. While this concept may sound quirky, it promises to deliver a fun gaming experience that is both silly and delightful.

Today, 5 Fortress announced that Striden will host an open beta this weekend, allowing players to dive into its vibrant world and explore its innovative gameplay mechanics. The beta will commence tomorrow, April 4th, at 4:00 PM CEST, and will conclude on April 6th at 12:00 AM CEST. To build excitement, players can look forward to another round of testing the following weekend, from April 11th to April 13th.

During this open beta, a couple of new modes will be introduced, enhancing the gameplay experience. The first mode, dubbed transmit mode, offers a player-versus-player (PvP) experience where competitors will engage in combat across three intense maps. This fast-paced objective mode is designed to keep players on their toes, with the goal likely involving the movement of key objects, as suggested by its name. Additionally, a cooperative player-versus-environment (PvE) mode will challenge participants to survive against relentless waves of adversaries. However, specifics about the enemies—such as whether they include more playful bears—remain unclear.

Last month, the developers shared additional details regarding the changes and enhancements that players can expect in the open beta. Most notably, the construction system has undergone a significant rework, now enabling users to dismantle enemy constructions. Moreover, players will need to be mindful of maintaining their construction tools to repair compromised doors and windows. While this adds a layer of complexity to gameplay, the game is still in its early stages, and developers have ample time to refine features based on player feedback.

Each character class is now equipped with three unique construction items, further diversifying player strategies. A new vault and mantle system is also on the horizon, though it may not be available in this open beta iteration. As the game continues to develop, players are eager to see what other amusing animal transformations will be introduced in future updates.

For those interested in participating in the open beta, you can sign up for the playtest and access more information through the game’s Steam page. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience this truly unique survival game!