How to Play R.E.P.O.’s First Major Update Early on Steam

The first major update for R.E.P.O. is almost here, bringing tons of new content including a brand new level, matchmaking, server lists, a region picker, lobby passwords, new items, and more. If you’re eager to try it out, the developers have now made the update available in open beta.

Here is how you can access the new R.E.P.O. update, test out the new features, and provide valuable feedback to the developers ahead of its official release.

Switch to the R.E.P.O. Beta Branch

To play the latest update in open beta, you’ll need to switch to the beta branch of R.E.P.O. on Steam. Here are the steps:

• First, make sure R.E.P.O. isn’t currently running.
• Launch Steam, and right-click on R.E.P.O. in your library
• Select Properties, followed by the Betas tab.
• Here, select “beta – beta branch” next to Beta Participation.

This will initiate an update download for R.E.P.O. on Steam, which is around 162 MB on my end. Once that’s done, you can launch R.E.P.O. and get access to the Beta branch and all the new content that comes with it.

R.E.P.O. Beta New Content

The beta with the first major content update (v0.1.2.21) comes with the following new content:

• A whole new level, The Avant-Garde.
• Server List and Random Matchmaking.
• Region Picker
• Overcharge – Grabbing an enemy now builds Overcharge. When the meter is full, players get blasted back. Stronger enemies generate more Overcharge. If multiple players grab the same enemy, the Overcharge is shared between them.
• Kick – You can now kick players from a lobby or during a level, they will not be able to rejoin after being kicked out.
• Lobby Passwords – Private lobbies are now password protected! For security!
• New items – Pulse Pistol, Boltzap, Prodzap, Duck Bucket!
• New battery UI – Every stock on the battery now represents one use.
• Extraction Points now feature a new warning graphic during the countdown, highlighting what valuables are at risk of being destroyed.

You can provide feedback directly to the developers through the official Discord. You can find the complete changelogs, feedback and bugs channels there as well.

There still isn’t a release date for the official launch of this update, but I expect the update to drop sometime after the open beta is active. Currently, the developers are focusing on polishing the content planned for the update, and this beta is the best way to provide them with the useful feedback they need.