The Swordbearer - Season 1
Early access since Jul 2022
Take on the role of a young adventurer who recently inherited a sword. Your journey starts after you apply to the Knights Guild at the capital. Meet loveable characters as you explore this world that awaits you. Face the darkness that surfaces and uncover the evil plot as your story progresses.
87% positive · 207 reviews
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Not yet
In early access, content planned but development status unclear
Low confidence
Content Planned
Development Uncertain
Where to buy
Steam $11.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
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Evaluation
The Swordbearer - Season 1 is an episodic adult visual novel in Steam Early Access. CaramelCowboy has been releasing numbered episodes since the game launched on July 4, 2022, with Episodes 4 through 11 documented in the news record. Each episode typically delivers 800–1,100 new renders and 10–15 animations, arriving roughly every 2–4 months. Episode 11 shipped on March 9, 2025 — the most recent major release on record.
In December 2024, the developer was posting weekly progress updates and actively building Episode 12, with 200 renders completed as of December 20, 2024 and a full script written. That level of engagement made another episode release a near certainty at the time. However, there have been no developer communications of any kind visible since March 9, 2025. As of October 1, 2026, that represents a silence of approximately 18 months — well beyond the established 2–4 month release pattern and far exceeding any previous gap in the project's history (the longest prior gap was caused by the developer relocating countries, which they openly communicated and resolved by late 2023).
The store description continues to promise future side quests, ongoing story progression, and growing content. The game is explicitly titled "Season 1," implying a larger arc still in progress. The developer has made no statement indicating Season 1 is complete. Given that Episode 12 was visibly under construction in December 2024 and then went completely dark, combined with the extended and unexplained silence well beyond the historical cadence, the status of active development cannot be confirmed.
Evidence
Episode 11 released with 940 new renders, 15 animations, and 3 Steam achievements — the most recent major content release and the last developer communication on record.
Developer weekly update confirms Episode 12 is in active production, with 200 renders completed out of a typical 800–1,000 per episode, targeting 400 the following week.
Details
Developer
Publisher
CaramelCowboy
Achievements
12
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
The Swordbearer is an adult visual novel (AVN) where you take on the role of a young adventurer who grew up with his best friend in a town called Riverfell. Your journey starts after the two of you apply to the Knights Guild at the capital - A prestigious organization that turns novices into formidable knights. Life as you know it changes when you wield the sword your mother left you. You and your party will be thrown into a world of adventure where you will get to make choices and decide the outcome of the events. Meet loveable characters and beautiful romanceable women as you explore this world that awaits you. Face the darkness that surfaces and uncover the evil plot as your story progresses.
Romance
Meet lovable characters with different personalities as you progress. Create your own harem or take the path of monogamy. The choice is yours. The game will continue to be designed with both paths in mind.
Optional interactions
Need a break from the plot? Go through some fun optional content. Future plans include side quests that you can do with your comrades that will not mess with the plot but add a layer of content that is completely optional. I highly recommend going through all the content.
Bad guys!
What's a story without a good antagonist? Be part of the action and drama as the plot unfolds. The game will have multiple endings. Choices that determine these endings will be made available to the player at appropriate events during the game.
Adult content
Adult content will come to you as you progress. The game also has animations for some scenes and the list will grow as the game progresses.
Additional notes
Although this game falls primarily in the medieval genre, I advise you to not take the tag too literally. While maintaining a strong connection to the medieval genre, this game is more playful in nature when it comes to speech for example. I personally find that limiting speech or certain elements to a strict medieval setting really limits what you can do in terms of creativity and humor. Please remember, this game is 100% fiction. The time era does not exist.A final reminder that this game is in early access. If you feel like something is mentioned in the description but is missing, it probably means it's upcoming content. I won't commit to adding certain content unless I'm 100% sure.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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