Empulse is a fast-paced 6v6 movement shooter built by 1047 Games, the studio behind Splitgate. It pairs wall-running, grappling, and jetpack-style movement with mechs that spawn mid-match, and it launched into early access on June 24, 2026. The game leans on the same vertical, parkour-heavy combat people associate with Titanfall, but it is its own design rather than a Titanfall clone.
Quick answer: Empulse is out now in early access on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It costs $19.99, with a 25% launch discount that drops the price to $14.99 / £12.74 until July 1, 2026. There is no store, battle pass, or microtransactions at early access launch.
Empulse price, platforms, and launch discount
The early access build sells for $19.99 at full price. A launch discount of 25% applies through the first week, ending July 1, 2026. 1047 Games has said the price will go up once the game leaves early access, so the launch window is the cheapest entry point.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
| Full price | $19.99 |
| Launch discount | 25% off ($14.99 / £12.74) |
| Discount ends | July 1, 2026 |
| Early access start | June 24, 2026 |
| Cross-platform play | Yes |
| Anti-cheat | RedKard (kernel-level) |
Play is fully cross-platform, so PC and console players share lobbies. The PC version runs the studio’s own RedKard kernel-level anti-cheat, the same system used in its earlier Splitgate releases.
How movement works in Empulse
Movement is the core of every match. Maps are set across the vertical streets of a city called Freehold, and they are designed for chaining one move into the next. Running flat across open ground leaves you exposed, so the goal is to keep momentum by stringing actions together.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wall-running | Run forward or backward along almost any vertical surface, and chain other moves into it. |
| Grapple hook | Build momentum, swing around cover, whip into a wall-run, or reel in an enemy for a one-hit melee. |
| Holojumps and jetpacks | Launch off boost pads to keep a movement chain going. |
| P.A.I.N.T. Bombs | Coat surfaces with effect goop. Variants include Jump, Speed, Explosive, Heal, and Sticky. |
P.A.I.N.T. Bombs (Plasma Activated Infusion of Nanotech) are mostly support tools rather than weapons. A Speed bomb makes you faster, a Heal bomb tops up health in an area, and Jump increases jump height. Only the Explosive variant is meant to deal damage, while Sticky slows enemies who pass through it.
How mechs work as a mid-map objective
Mechs are not tied to individual players. Two of them spawn at the center of the map at the same time, a few minutes into a match, and the whole lobby gets a heads-up. Whoever reaches one first pilots it, which makes mechs a contested prize rather than a personal reward. They act as a temporary power spike, similar to fighting over a power weapon in an arena shooter.
A claimed mech is strong on offense but easy to bring down if a team focuses fire on it. Its kit covers most situations:
| Mech ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Chaingun | Ramps up damage the longer the trigger is held. |
| Rockets | Heavy area damage against anyone in sight. |
| Melee | Big damage that also knocks enemies back. |
| Bubble shield | Deployable cover to lock down a position. |
| Charge jump | Launches high, then slams down with a shockwave that crushes anyone underneath. |
| Dash | A quick reposition that is fast for the mech’s size. |
Because mechs are weak on defense, a coordinated team can destroy one quickly, and a single team can sometimes grab both. The trade-off keeps the focus on player movement, with mechs as a swing factor rather than the center of the game.
Weapons and loadout
Loadouts are streamlined. Your primary weapon is your only projectile weapon, so the choice matters. Many guns fire from the hip without aiming down sights, in a style closer to Halo, though some weapons such as the Battle Rifle and Carbine can scope in. The hipfire accuracy is deliberate, since it keeps the pace high and avoids punishing constant movement with bad aim.
Your secondary is a sledgehammer melee weapon that can score one-hit kills, and it has become a fan favorite for its satisfying feel. The arsenal also includes an explosive SMG that fires explosive rounds. Equipment slots hold the grapple hook and your P.A.I.N.T. grenades.
What’s new at early access launch
The early access build adds content beyond what the Steam Next Fest demo offered. If you played the demo, you will notice several additions on day one.
- A new map called Drainage.
- A VIP-style mode called Mech Bounty.
- The Requiem sniper rifle.
- A ranked 4v4 playlist.
- Progression through challenges, weapon unlocks, an account-leveling system, and events.
The launch version ships with multiple maps and modes, plus 34 Steam achievements and support for 16 languages. 1047 Games has also said it is building two new maps that are larger than anything currently in the game, which it plans to push out in an experimental form for testing in the weeks after launch. The team is testing aim-down-sights as well, with a promise that it will not replace the accurate hipfire that the movement relies on.
No microtransactions at launch, and how cosmetics are earned
At early access launch there is no store, no battle pass, and no microtransactions. Cosmetics are earned through play instead. You unlock them through in-game Gigs, general progression, and events, with non-paid exceptions such as Twitch Drops and wishlist incentives. This is a clear response to the criticism 1047 Games faced over the paid content in Splitgate 2.
Early access timeline and roadmap
1047 Games expects Empulse to stay in early access for 9 to 12 months. The exact length depends on player feedback and how fast the team can refine movement, maps, core systems, and stability. The studio says it is deliberately not locking in a fixed roadmap, and that new modes, maps, weapons, mechs, and playstyles will be shaped by community feedback rather than a seasonal calendar.
The demo drew a strong response, landing around 250,000 wishlists and averaging 8.1 out of 10 for fun in a feedback survey, which the team notes still leaves room for improvement. One known open question is the visual style, with players asking for a stronger identity that stands apart from Splitgate. The full release is planned to add more polish and content, including extra maps and weapons, plus expanded mech gameplay.
PC system requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-6100 / i5-2500K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i5-6600K / i7-4770 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 12 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 960 or AMD RX 470 | NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Network | Broadband internet | Broadband internet |
The game also runs on Linux through Proton, which worked correctly with the demo build.
Empulse arrives carrying real expectations, since 1047 Games stumbled with the launch of Splitgate 2 before pivoting. The early access pitch is straightforward: a low price, no paid extras, and a roadmap shaped by the people playing it. Whether that turns into a lasting hit will come down to how the team handles balance, matchmaking, and content in the months ahead, but the foundation, fast movement, contested mechs, and creative P.A.I.N.T. tools, is already in players’ hands.
