Ember & Iron is a tiny arena RPG that runs entirely in your browser — no install, no sign-in. It saves your run to this browser, so you can close the tab and come back to it. It is currently on season 2, and the loop is small but complete: fight waves, level up, gear up, and push one zone further than the last. You can play it at https://gavin-chan.co.uk/rpg-arena/.
The fight is the core
You drop into a top-down arena and clear enemies in waves. Move with WASD (or the on-screen d-pad), attack with Space or a click, and pop a potion with P. Waves roll in, the “N left” counter ticks down, floating damage numbers and health bars keep you in the loop, and clearing a wave leaves you free to grab the loot.
Grow your build
Waves hand out experience, gold, and gear. You level up, and you fit out eight equipment slots — weapon, helmet, armour, pants, shoes, earring, glasses, and cape — each adding to your attack or defense. A 24-slot inventory holds what you find, and the shop sells weapons, armour, and extras across a range of stats, rarities, and levels, so there is always something worth saving up for.
One boss between you and the next zone
The map is a lock-and-key chain of seven regions, from the Whispering Woods all the way to the Umbral Abyss. Every zone has a boss — the Alpha Wolf, the Cave Troll, the Mummy Lord, and so on — and beating it unlocks the region beyond. When you feel ready, there is a “Challenge Boss” button to test yourself on the zone’s final fight.
Small things that make it feel finished
It autosaves to your browser, so a refresh or a closed tab never wipes your progress. Sound is one toggle away, there is a help panel, and the whole thing works on a phone thanks to the on-screen controls. It is a small game — but it is a complete one.