Grim Dawn: Fangs of Asterkarn Key Art
Image: Crate Entertainment

Action RPGs just do not die. The original Path of Exile is still receiving major updates despite the sequel being out now, Diablo 2 was blessed with a new class to play as recently, and now, the enduringly popular Grim Dawn - over a decade old - is getting a fresh leash of life. Or at least a leash in general. Because werewolves. We do love our hirsute lads and lasses around here - you may begin awoo'ing, as the Fangs of Asterkarn expansion is out now.

Fangs of Asterkarn takes players to the titular new region, which has a fantasy Norse thing going on. Big towering rune-stones, gratuitously horned helmets, lots of magic axes, aurora borealis, and an assortment of shapeshifting, frost-bitten villains to beat up, loot for goodies and beat up again. The expansion does bring one new mastery - the Berserker - an angry shapeshifting sort capable of taking on several beast forms. While a wolf-form is a given, there's a cool raven form as well.

You may Ka-kaw too, if so inclined. We don't judge.

Developers Crate Entertainment reckon that this is their biggest expansion yet. They've even got a stat-block in the launch news-post detailing just how much more stuff it has than previous expansions. Fangs of Asterkarn brings a new difficulty mode - Ascendant - although you'll need to hit level 100 and complete Ultimate difficulty to activate it. On top of the regular and expected new loot, there are some new customization systems, letting you reroll affixes on gear and customize your potions. All in all, not a bad slate for a game that came out in the Before Times of 2016.

The Fangs of Asterkarn expansion is out now, and costs £17/$19 with a 10% launch discount. While the expansion obviously needs Grim Dawn to play, you also need the previous two expansions, Forgotten Gods and Ashes of Malmouth. While nice to have (and expanded further by Fangs), the Crucible Mode DLC is optional. That said, the Crucible mode is further expanded here too, with an additional thirty waves to hack and slash through. And lastly, there's even MORE coming, with two new roguelike dungeons already planned as post-release updates.