Putting the 'role' back in role-playing games since 2002.
Donate to Codex
Good Old Games
  • Welcome to rpgcodex.net, a site dedicated to discussing computer based role-playing games in a free and open fashion. We're less strict than other forums, but please refer to the rules.

    "This message is awaiting moderator approval": All new users must pass through our moderation queue before they will be able to post normally. Until your account has "passed" your posts will only be visible to yourself (and moderators) until they are approved. Give us a week to get around to approving / deleting / ignoring your mundane opinion on crap before hassling us about it. Once you have passed the moderation period (think of it as a test), you will be able to post normally, just like all the other retards.

Game News The Hand of Merlin now available on Early Access

Infinitron

I post news
Staff Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
97,236
Codex Year of the Donut Serpent in the Staglands Dead State Divinity: Original Sin Project: Eternity Torment: Tides of Numenera Wasteland 2 Shadorwun: Hong Kong Divinity: Original Sin 2 A Beautifully Desolate Campaign Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire Pathfinder: Kingmaker Pathfinder: Wrath I'm very into cock and ball torture I helped put crap in Monomyth
Tags: Croteam; Room-C Games; The Hand of Merlin; Versus Evil

The Hand of Merlin, the unusual Arthurian-legend-meets-sci-fi-horror roguelite RPG from Croteam and Room-C Games, was released into Early Access today. So far Codexers haven't shown much interest in the game, but it certainly looks kind of cool. Here's its launch trailer and the accompanying press release:



Baltimore, MD – May 11th, 2021 - Independent developer Room C Games in co-production with Croteam and in partnership with indie publisher Versus Evil are excited to announce that their rogue-lite RPG game The Hand of Merlin will be available today on early access for PC via Steam, Epic Game Store and GOG.

The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based rogue-lite RPG in which Arthurian legend clashes with sci-fi horror. Players recruit three mortal heroes on a desperate journey from Albion to Jerusalem to explore richly-imagined medieval lands on the brink of apocalypse - assaulted by an otherworldly evil. Written by Jonas Kyratzes (The Talos Principle, Serious Sam 4) and Verena Kyratzes (The Lands of Dream, Serious Sam 4). The Hand of Merlin is a story inspired by Arthurian legend but with an unusual twist that introduces a wholly unique sci fi element to its storytelling.

"We wanted to create a player focused, rogue-lite RPG that merged two complete contrasting genres but in a uniquely rewarding way. This forged a whole new universe for players to explore and craft their destinies. Creatively it gave us the scope to bring something really exciting and fresh to the turn-based and squad based RPG genre“ said Robert Sajko, Creative Director at Room C Games.

Utilizing squad-based and turn-based combat, players can employ tactical cunning to use cover, set up ambushes and coordinate attacks with ranged, melee and spellcasting combat to conquer both human and demonic foes looking to do them harm. Additionally, players can utilise relics they purchase or are rewarded with, some of which are imbued with magical power. These abilities will be important as players weigh the risk and reward for the paths they choose.

In The Hand of Merlin choices are permanent depending on the decisions players make as they carve a path across the lands of Albion, Marca Hispanica and Al-Andalus. Combat is inevitable and mastering the tactics of squad-based and turn-based combat is essential to survive in a world where evil never rests. Players can seek out towns to improve their arms and armor, or trade with hermit artisans in the wild. Renown is the backbone of progression and can be used to level up party Heroes, and players can choose between a randomized set of new skills or improved attributes to balance out the combat prowess of their party to improve their chances.

With a large focus on exploration and encounter, mortality is the consequence of existence in human form, but even in defeat, players retain collected arcane knowledge as they jump from one parallel dimension to the next. No two worlds are ever quite the same, and each journey will be unique. Defeat is not the end in this realm, only a new beginning.

There are as many worlds as there are stars in the sky. In each stands Camelot; in each there is a Grail. But there is only one Merlin, and his eternal burden is to stand against the horror from beyond. Each world that is saved is saved forever; each world that is lost is lost for good.

The Hand of Merlin will be available today on PC via Steam early access priced $24.99 / £18.99 / €22.49 for the Standard Edition with a Deluxe Edition priced at $29.99 / £22.49/ €26.99, A soundtrack of the game is also available for $7.99/ £5.99 / €6.99.

Versus Evil has a 20% launch discount in place for its first week on sale during early access and Room C Games aims to add more guardians, heroes and encounters for the games full launch later this year.

If you want to give it a try, The Hand of Merlin Early Access build is available now on Steam and GOG for $25, with a 20% launch discount until next week. According to the Early Access FAQ, the developers are aiming for a final launch within four to six months.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Tyranicon

A Memory of Eternity
Developer
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
5,875
Interesting concept and I'll probably pick it up, but man they are having a rough launch day. Only 5 weighted reviews, and two of those are negative.
 

Lacrymas

Arcane
Joined
Sep 23, 2015
Messages
17,949
Pathfinder: Wrath
Codexers haven't shown much interest in the gam
If only someone who deemed it worthy of attention would deign to inform the rest of us about it. :roll:
I tried the demo a while back and these are my impressions -

I played it for around 50 minutes, killed 2 bandit groups and a group of the creatures. I'll recount my positive impressions first:




That is all. Nah, I liked the CYOA sections, the feeling of scarce resources, and how you don't normally regain health between battles. Oh, I also liked how there are no wizards.

Now for the more negative ones. It commits the cardinal sins of these types of tactical games right off the bat - damage is everything, it's too deterministic, and it uses the silly nu-XCom cover mechanics which I'm starting to slowly despise. When I saw how only cover affects to-hit and everything else is 100%, I immediately knew I should go for straight damage and buffs to damage (due to not being able to repeat actions) and ignore everything else. Barbed arrow + caustic weapon shreds everything. This is the trifecta of bad tactical game design. I doubt I'll play more because once you've played a single battle in such a system, you've played them all.

If someone tests this and it turns out these things are removed, it may be worth playing.
 

Lacrymas

Arcane
Joined
Sep 23, 2015
Messages
17,949
Pathfinder: Wrath
It won't sell because it won't find a niche audience. The combat is very rough and monotonous, at least when I played it, so word-of-mouth won't cut it.
 

Iluvcheezcake

Prophet
Joined
Aug 27, 2014
Messages
1,651
Location
Le Balkans
Ok so played it for about an hour last night, it struck me as a mix between Druidstone and Banner Saga. At start you get 3 predetermined characters - fighter, mage and archer, and you can unlock 6 more while playing. Seemed ok, didnt play for long.
So far, nothing spectacular
 
Self-Ejected

Thac0

Time Mage
Patron
Joined
Apr 30, 2020
Messages
3,292
Location
Arborea
I'm very into cock and ball torture
Ok so played it for about an hour last night, it struck me as a mix between Druidstone and Banner Saga. At start you get 3 predetermined characters - fighter, mage and archer, and you can unlock 6 more while playing. Seemed ok, didnt play for long.
So far, nothing spectacular

More towards Druidstone or more towards Banner Saga? I'd take a game the quality level of Druidstone, that was aight as a puzzle based tactics game. Everyone wanted another blobber, so there was disappointment, but the game itself was aight.
Banner Saga is an insult to tactical rpgs.
 

Iluvcheezcake

Prophet
Joined
Aug 27, 2014
Messages
1,651
Location
Le Balkans
Druidstone - cartoony feel, ui, char abilities
Banner Saga - camera position, armor/health, movement

Also abilities have really short range, like the archer can shoot an arrow mazbe 5-6 squares
 

Andhaira

Arcane
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
1,868,966
So, anyone play further and is it worth buying?
 

As an Amazon Associate, rpgcodex.net earns from qualifying purchases.
Back
Top Bottom