A sublime open world, promising combat, and a promise of tailor-made adventure… but now, the AI is involved, and not just a little. Supposed to combine the intensity of God of War with the depth of The Witcher, the game Epitome already arouses passions even before its release.
Spotted among upcoming titles on Steam, Epitome intrigues as much as it divides. Offering a free open-world RPG adventure, the game is positioned halfway between two giants of the genre. However, beyond its polished artistic direction and its catchy gameplay, it is its dependence on artificial intelligence which crystallizes the debates.
A free RPG that summons the giants of the genre
In the first images, Epitome It’s an eye-catcher. Vast and immersive landscapes, menacing armored characters, and tense combat that recalls the intensity of a God of War. Added to this is a freer narrative structure, in the spirit of The Witcher, with the promise of an adventure that can be personalized according to the player’s choices.
Each player can choose a class, shape their avatar and explore the universe at their own pace. On paper, everything seems aligned for a hit: a successful aesthetic, an accessible proposition, and a release on Steam highly anticipated by the community.
When artificial intelligence comes to the heart of gameplay
But reading the game’s official Steam page more closely, one detail jumps out. The AI is not only used to bring a few enemies to life or to animate secondary routines. It structures the whole experience. The studio behind the game proudly announces:
“In Epitome, NPCs are not just background characters; they are dynamic individuals with advanced AI who adapt to your choices and shape the narrative as you explore.”
In other words, the quests, the reactions of the characters, even the evolution of the universe depend entirely on an algorithmic system. At first glance, this may seem attractive. But for some players, this means less human writing, less control, and more artificial contingencies.
A promise of immersion… or disappointment?
Several extracts revealed on the Steam page describe an even more intrusive system. “Our advanced AI allows for realistic conversations, negotiations with merchants, and AI-generated quests tailored to your playstyle.” “Soon, AI-controlled fellow players will join you on your quests, help you with your tasks and even when you’re away.”
The game promises total immersion, with intelligent and adaptive allies. “These AI companions will evolve alongside you, becoming more friends than game characters, making each adventure deeply personal and immersive.”
But this idea of a world shaped by AI can also be cold. Many gamers wonder what about what they see on screen is real or auto-generated. This confusion fuels the controversy, especially since the game hides nothing of its technical ambitions.
A release date still unclear, but very real debates
At this time, no official date has been announced for Epitome. However, the discussions it generates show to what extent the massive arrival of AI in narrative games leaves no one indifferent. Some applaud the studio’s transparency, others fear a loss of authenticity.
One thing is certain: Epitome will not go unnoticed. Whether we consider it a bold innovation or a worrying deviation, this free open-world RPG is already establishing itself as a hot topic in the gaming universe of 2026.