Skald: Against the Dark Sect: the proven prologue to an old-fashioned RPG

If there is one thing that makes the modernity of video games interesting, it is that it has reached the point where it can be safely rejected, rather than a technology race. Alongside the industry’s standard productions, it is experiencing dozens of different trends, often characterized by a kind of idiosyncrasy for modernity, with the constant search for classic experiences that can update the past, read by many in a mythical key. A scenario so versatile and full of testimonials, flashbacks and celebrations certainly acknowledges the possibility of greater courage with products that seem to have no market but still find their niche. They may not enrich the developers, but they are solid starting points for dialogue with the community.

we therefore Tried Skald: Against the Black Monasteryrather, the free foreword, in the spirit of antique dealers who respectfully seek objects from the past to sell in their shops, first of all as a result of understanding that such a title can only make sense today.

Skip to the past

Spirit of Skald: Against the Dark Sect old role playing games. Immediately comes Ultima but also Knights of Legend, SSI RPGs and many more similar games from the 80s and early 90s. Actually, starting the game of Scape-IT A.Ş. comes to mind not a single reference, but a whole period of power, not just individual works but certain productions aiming to evoke a certain past.

Game World framed from above and the main screen, divided into low-resolution boxes, partly occupied by portraits of party members, partly the main map, and partly by various function keys, but it can instantly break those who live in that era. Clicking boxes to indicate where to go to the party, and enjoying a semi-textual interface (already mouse-manageable) that he loves without even knowing why, he finds himself kidnapped. Of course, all this can be denied, but that’s not the point.

Skald: Against the Black Priory tells the story of an expedition led by a hero or heroine who is sent by a nobleman to voluntarily leave home in search of his missing daughter. Inside prologue We found the first two hours of gameplay of the game as a free download, exploration and lots of dialogue. The demo version, at least apparently, stops shortly before the outbreak of an important event, but waits for the final version, which should bring many improvements and various changes, allowing you to examine the game system and verify its functioning.

discovery

Anyways, discover The little world of Skald’s prologue: Against the Black Order is satisfying. At the start of the adventure, it is possible to choose one of the four classes (warrior, mage, bandit and cleric) and customize it by assigning points to the usual attributes (strength, intelligence, etc.). There should be much more options for this effect in the final version and hopefully the chosen class will have a more decisive impact on the game. After choosing the gender and portrait of our avatar, it’s time to leave. The action begins on a ship that inevitably sinks under the attack of a gigantic monster spreading all over. Finished at sea, the player-created hero awakens on a large island filled with hostile factions and indescribable dangers, including hounds, giant crabs, and bandits.

The game is divided into two main parts: the general map that lets you explore the island, and the individual locations that can be accessed from the general map. In the preface we were able to visit a handful of them: a lighthouse, a beach where some survivors took shelter, a refugee camp and a small town, the latter of which is only partially accessible.

In addition to the enemies, there are many characters to talk through a multiple-choice dialogue system to get information and quests. Some can also be recruited for the party, which should be increased as soon as possible, given the brutality of the enemies. The characters’ handling of the game world is interesting: each step taken (read: each frame traveled) marks the passage of one minute of game time; More fatigue for the party with maps, also related malus. To get back to doing their best, each member should be allowed to rest and have a bite to eat. A hungry character will not be able to heal himself from his wounds and will have punishments in battle. Also in this sense, the reference to old role-playing games is very strong, with the need to find food rations and manage travel while taking these micro-management elements into account.

battle system

The preface doesn’t really allow us to go too deep into the subject. battle system and the role of comrades. Each of them seems to be well-characterized and have their purpose, but we will see how they will be developed and what their weight will be in the game in the final version. Speaking of real combat, the entry system looks very simple: the conflicts take place directly in the game world and are based on a turn-based model, where the relevant units move one by one using their abilities. For example, our thief has proven to have a good initial advantage over unaware enemies, who often manage to attack from behind and inflict massive damage. In reality, we don’t know how it makes sense to touch on the subject, as the developers have promised a complete overhaul of the system for the final release to make it more tactical. In its current form, it is, in fact, very bland and consists of clicking on the opponent hoping that he will die before the hero.

We’re not looking at an action RPG, but many of the fights in the intro didn’t seem that deep. Of course they are heavily influenced by the equipment and numbers of the characters, but as they say this is the foundation of the genre and that is also a problem if we want it to have more weight, especially in conflicts with their own decisions, compared to what potential buyers’ expectations might be. We will see in the final version and with a full batch if everything is developed as we hoped.