The Arbor's Crucible is a special survival mode that appeared in Ember and Blade. It was introduced as a Steam Next Fest-exclusive arena in which players survive for as long as possible against waves of infinitely-spawning demons to earn points.
A Steam Next Fest-Exclusive Mode
The Arbor's Crucible was added to the demo build for Steam Next Fest. It was presented as an extra, exclusive mode tied to that event rather than as part of the main campaign, giving players a focused challenge alongside the story content. Its arrival is part of the broader run of demo updates documented in Demo History.
Endless Survival for Points
The mode is built around a simple, high-pressure goal: stay alive. Players hold out for as long as they can, and the longer they survive, the more points they earn. This turns the experience into a score-chasing test of endurance and skill, distinct from the structured, story-driven progression of the campaign.
Infinitely-Spawning Demons
What makes the Crucible relentless is that the demons never stop coming. Enemies spawn infinitely, so there is no point at which the battlefield clears. The mode leans hard into the game's one-versus-many fantasy of carving through endless hordes, demanding constant movement, smart use of abilities, and careful management of the chaos. The wider enemy design is covered in Enemies and Demon Hordes.
How It Differs From the Campaign
Where the campaign advances through chapters and bosses toward a larger goal, the Arbor's Crucible is a self-contained survival challenge focused purely on lasting as long as possible. It distills the moment-to-moment thrill of the combat into an endless arena. For how that combat works across the rest of the game, see Gameplay Overview.