Trendy Entertainment announces the free-to-play era is now underway for Dungeon Defenders II on Steam, their early access action/tower defense sequel. The game is now considered an open alpha, and here's a new trailer to celebrate the occasion. Here's a Steam update with more details, and here's part of the news:

Open alpha arrives on PC on the heels of last week’s new “Ascension” patch, which plays with Dungeon Defenders II in some fun ways. Towers are now bigger and stronger, and enemies have been rebalanced to match the challenge. In addition, weapons are more powerful and feature new variations in attack patterns and speed to fit players’ individual tastes. Player choice is supported even further by the introduction of the Stat Allocation System, allowing players to choose where to place stat points as they level up. “Ascension” also includes a new Huntress build, costumes and more.

But that’s only Part One! Part Two of the “Ascension” update, expected for release on Oct. 27, will roll out two new holiday-themed maps and a fresh Incursion, as well as new minibosses, hero builds, and spooky costumes, among other improvements.

Dungeon Defenders II is a third-person action-strategy game featuring classic role-playing elements like loot, leveling, pets and more. Players must build the ultimate champions and tactical defenses to protect the magical realm of Etheria from the invading waves of the Old Ones’ armies. The game advances the original Dungeon Defenders experience with new combat systems and abilities, supporting modes for single-player and four-person online cooperative multiplayer.