Hello, Embers.

The Steam Next Fest demo launches June 15. This guide walks through the controls, combat, and core systems you'll need on your first journey through Goldenhaven and beyond.

1. Basic Controls

You can control your character using mouse and keyboard, or a controller (Xbox). Familiarize yourself with the basic controls below for a smoother experience.

※ Note: Embers of the Uncrowned is optimized for keyboard and mouse. Controller gameplay is currently in beta.

1.1 Keyboard Controls

◆ Basic Keyboard and Mouse Controls

The main control hotkeys for Embers of the Uncrowned are as follows:

Basic Controls

Combat Controls

You can find more hotkey information under Settings → Controls → Keyboard.

◆ Hotkey Settings

You can change your hotkey settings in Settings → Controls → Keyboard. Hotkeys can be combined with Ctrl, Shift, and Alt. Note that certain hotkeys cannot be changed.

1.2 Controller Controls

Embers of the Uncrowned offers partial controller support. Some functions, such as chat, still require a keyboard and mouse.

◆ Supported Controllers

Currently, only Xbox controllers are partially supported. Other controllers may not operate properly.

◆ Auto-Switch

The game automatically detects whether you're using a keyboard/mouse or a gamepad, and switches the control mode accordingly.

It switches to gamepad mode when it detects gamepad input, and back to the default mode (keyboard/mouse) when it detects keyboard or mouse input. If both are detected simultaneously, the default control mode takes priority.

◆ Dual Control States

The gamepad mode has two states — one for controlling your character, and one for navigating menus.

Character Control: The default state where you move your character and battle with the L stick.

Menu Navigation: The state where you control the cursor with the L stick to navigate menus.

When a popup appears or when you enter specific scenes, the game automatically switches to Menu Navigation. Pressing the [Mouse Mode] button while in Character Control switches to Menu Navigation, and pressing it again switches back to Character Control.

◆ Controller

Controllers can only be used with fixed controls and cannot currently be customized.

You can check the image above in the Settings → Controls → Gamepad menu in-game.

2. Combat

Combat is built around three core actions: basic attacks, skills, and evasion. You can use recovery potions to recover your HP and MP. In battles with boss monsters, use Interrupt skills to block powerful attacks, and Stagger the boss to deal significant damage.

◆ Recovery Potions

Monuments of Life can be found both in your House Settlement and across the continent. Refill your HP and MP potions at these Monuments.

Defeating monsters has a chance to replenish your potions — the stronger the monster, the higher the chance. Potions can also be replenished by using the Bloodline Skill or destroying Elven Stakes.

◆ Evade

You can evade dangerous attacks using evasive skills. When you press the spacebar, your character moves a certain distance in the direction they are facing and becomes briefly immune to attacks. If you perfectly evade an enemy attack, it counts as a Perfect Dodge.

The SP gauge consists of multiple segments that recharge automatically over time. Each segment is consumed when you use an evasive skill, so manage your SP gauge for crucial moments.

◆ Interrupt Skills

Boss monsters periodically cast powerful skills.

While the boss prepares its skill, a purple gauge fills up at the bottom of the monster information UI. Attack the boss with a skill that has the Interrupt tag within the time limit to stop the skill from activating — and greatly reduce the boss's Stagger gauge.

Interrupt skills are marked with a purple diamond icon and an Interrupt tag.

◆ Stagger

Every time you deal damage to a boss monster, its Stagger gauge decreases slightly. When the gauge is fully depleted, the boss becomes Staggered for a short time.

While Staggered, the boss cannot attack or act. Focus your attacks during this window to deal massive damage.

3. Companion

In Embers of the Uncrowned, you battle alongside a Companion who follows you throughout your journey.

You can raise Companion affinity by completing Companion quests at the House Settlement. Once affinity reaches a certain level, the Companion button in the upper-left corner of the HUD will start to glow — click it to level up your Companion.

You can obtain Companion skills upon raising their levels. Use the Companion skill management menu to select which to equip. Companion skills consist of active and passive skills — you can equip 1 active skill and multiple passive skills.

Companions will be temporarily unsummoned when you ride a Mount or enter certain content areas. If a Companion dies in battle, they will be temporarily unsummoned and then automatically resummoned.

4. Bloodline Skill

You can use the Bloodline Skill — a powerful cooperative attack performed with your Companion. To use it, you must first fill up your Bloodline Points. You gradually gain Bloodline Points during battle, but no additional points are gained once they reach 100%.

When you use the Bloodline Skill, you consume all Bloodline Points. Bloodline Points are saved even when you leave the game. Using the Bloodline Skill also grants you a certain number of recovery potions.

5. Skill Gems

You can enhance your skills by equipping them with Skill Gems.

As you play, you will obtain Skill Gems of various grades and options that strengthen your skills.

Equip the Skill Gems you have obtained in your bag by dragging them into Skill Gem slots in the skill menu.

Every skill and Skill Gem has unique effect tags, and a Skill Gem can only be equipped if it shares at least one tag with the skill. When you equip a Skill Gem, only the matching tag effects will be applied. For example, if a Skill Gem has Physical/Wind tags and the skill it is equipped to has Wind/Buff tags, only the effects associated with Wind are applied.

Hold the Ctrl key while the skill menu is open to see the number of effects linked from equipped Skill Gems for each skill tag. Note that Common effects are not shown in the skill tags even when you hold Ctrl, because they can be equipped to all skills.

You can also check the Skill Gem's item details to see which effects are active or inactive.

6. Talent

You can strengthen your character by unlocking Talent nodes.

A Talent is composed of multiple Talent nodes. Unlock each node to obtain or enhance a skill. Talent nodes are linked to one another — every node after the first can only be activated once you've unlocked at least one of its prerequisite nodes.

Some nodes cannot be activated after you unlock certain nodes, so choose a Talent tree that fits your character build. Talent nodes can be reset and redistributed, so plan your progression strategy according to the situation.

7. House

You will develop a Settlement as the lord of the House. Construct buildings in your House Settlement to unlock a range of activities — crafting, gathering, research, and trade.

◆ Followers

As you play, you will meet Followers who help build your House. Followers can construct buildings and be assigned to them to activate each building's functions.

If Followers are assigned to the Resource Station, they will gather the resources needed for building construction or crafting items.

Followers with special abilities may provide benefits — such as reduced costs — when participating in various activities.

◆ House Buildings

Construct buildings in your House to unlock a range of activities.

As of now, the following seven types of buildings can be built and used.

◆ House Legacy

House Legacy is a secret power passed down through House Harborwell.

You can access the House Legacy system through the phoenix statue in your Settlement.

※ Currently in the demo build only Bloodline feature is available.

◆ Bloodline

You can increase your House Level by raising the reputation of your House. When the House Level increases, you obtain House Points — which can be consumed to awaken the power of Bloodline.

Bloodline consists of Bloodline boards and Bloodline nodes.

A Bloodline board consists of multiple Bloodline nodes. When you unlock a Bloodline node, you obtain the power of that node. When you complete a board, you can unlock the next one.

Each board provides different stats, so choose a board of your preference to enhance your character.

8. Download and System Requirements

For a smooth experience, please check the system requirements below.

That's everything you need to know to get started.

The continent of Rinea won't reclaim itself — and your fallen house is waiting.

We'll see you in Goldenhaven on June 15.

For the latest updates and community discussion, join us on our official Discord and follow our channels below.

- This guide was written on June 8, 2026, and some content may change in future updates. -

The Embers of the Uncrowned Team