This post is written by Mat, our gameplay designer. Now that the Enemy Update has been out for a week, let me tell you about what our next plans are! Even before we entered Early Access, we knew that the game had an upper-bound, that is, a limit of how many things you could do before you mastered all of its challenges. We introduced some side tasks, like the Prowess unlocks and some specific achievements, but we really needed more time and feedback to design a true metaprogression system. Hell, you can note some discussions in the Steam forums or our Discord servers on the topic of now what?, and those did not go unheard. We started working on it! Itll be implemented in a few steps. First of all, we need a Hard Mode. A nastier challenge with more complex resource management and tougher beasties will be a great starting point. Then, well leverage our persistent currency, Essences, into a modifier system, with positive ones that result in a power increase (More gold? More mana? Start with a more powerful grail?) and negative ones that will increase your essence gain, but bring an extra challenge (Harder enemies? More expensive healing?). We hope that the end result is that you have a fine control over the intended difficulty of a run, and can slowly progress your warbands power across multiple runs. Challenging yourself will reward you with more essence, which in turn allows you to purchase more positive modifiers a full-fledged economy for you to participate in, and a final goal. Can you do a full negative modifier run in Hardmode? I hope you are excited about the new additions to the game and the challenges we are going to present you with. Hit us up in our Discord server if you have any questions or feedback to offer in this design stage! Mat

[ 2021-09-01 11:01:19 CET ] [ Original post ]

The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based rogue-lite RPG in which Arthurian legend clashes with cosmic horror. Recruit a company of up to three mortal heroes and guide them in spirit on a desperate journey from Albion to Jerusalem. Explore a richly-imagined medieval setting on the brink of apocalypse. Trade with merchants, improve your heroes and unearth ancient relics. Search for the lost fragments of your soul, scattered across the multiverse - and save as many worlds as you can.


Enjoy a compelling story inspired by Arthurian legend, the Matter of France, and the history of Al-Andalus - with an unusual twist. Make choices in interactive encounters that change every time you play. Written by Jonas Kyratzes (The Talos Principle, Serious Sam 4) and Verena Kyratzes (The Lands of Dream, Serious Sam 4).


Master the tactics of squad-based and turn-based combat to conquer both human and demonic foes. Your enemies will be tough and ruthless; make use of cover, set up ambushes and coordinated attacks, harness synergies between different Hero classes and skills.




Carve a path across the lands of Albion, Marca Hispanica and Al-Andalus. Will you take a dangerous route, risking life and limb in pursuit of a legendary relic? Or will you choose a safer path? Plan and prepare. Negotiate, barter, fight. Tackle challenges. Suffer losses. Recruit new Heroes. Earn Gold, Supplies and Renown. Be careful: your choices are permanent, as is death. But don't tarry - evil never rests.


Use Renown to level up your Heroes, and choose between a randomized set of new skills or improved attributes. But choose wisely! Select skills with great synergy and balance your party for the road ahead.




As you jump from one parallel dimension to the next, history is reshaped. Different kings rule the land, changing the encounters, characters, and events. No two worlds are ever quite the same, and each journey will be unique. And should your heroes fall, remember: defeat is not the end, only a new beginning.


Seek out towns to improve your arms and armor, or stumble upon hermit artisans in the wild. With every day that passes, the world plunges deeper into darkness, and you will need all the equipment gold can buy.


From a peasant's humble luck charm to the legendary sword wielded by Arthur himself, items imbued with magical power are scattered about the world. Some you will be able to purchase from merchants and collectors, but others will have to be earned through acts of heroism - or displays of wit.



Rain thunder and brimstone upon your foes! Seek out and gather Soulstones to restore your power and unlock new Spells. Even if defeated, your spirit will retain all of your collected arcane knowledge as you jump into the next dimension.


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.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/600610/The_Hand_of_Merlin/