Dark and Darker provides a slower, challenging multiplayer experience that many have latched onto for its glorious highs and crushing lows. While the Dark And Darker Gold release date might seem far away, at least we have the early access build to play. So, aside from checking whether you’ve got the right system requirements to run the multiplayer game, what are the best things a beginner can do to get started in Dark and Darker?

Once you’ve chosen your class, we recommend jumping into the solo Goblin Caves on the northwest of the game’s map screen to cut your teeth on some little green guys – and the odd player too. This area gives you a good opportunity to practice the fundamental abilities for your chosen archetype, just don’t be afraid to get into a few scrapes and get a feel for combat.

The Goblin Caves also offer similar item drop rates to the normal dungeon, so it’s a good chance to equip your character with decent gear. Pay attention to how each weapon swings, what spells you have at your disposal, and how to loot quickly while managing your time in the shrinking zone effectively. Remember, unless you manage to extract using a blue portal, you won’t be able to earn any experience points.

A great skill that every veteran takes advantage of is the crouch jump: hit the Spacebar and quickly press Ctrl to gain extra height to your jump. This ability allows you to stand on objects your normal jump can’t reach, or to explore various nooks and crannies from above for a stealthier approach.

Abusing the crouch jump messes with the simple enemy AI, many monsters won’t know what to do with you standing atop buy Dark And Darker Gold barrel. This is the perfect opportunity to freely swing, shoot, or sling spells at ease. In PvP, this is great for mixing up your position while the enemy aims for your noggin.