Windwalk Games are developing a new roguelite game called Sworn. Sworn is set to release in the first quarter of 2025 and it is a 1-4 player co-op action rogue-like. You will explore the fallen Camelot castle and reclaim it from the corrupted King Arthur. The game will also be published by Team17 who are quite well known for their other games like Blasphemous.
“SWORN is a 1-4 player co-op action rogue-like. Explore and reclaim a fallen Camelot from the reign of a corrupted Arthur and his Knights of the round table.”
The Story and Setting
The story of Sworn is based on the retelling of the Arthurian legend. The corrupted king Arthur and his Knights turned the idyllic Camelot into a dark realm. The tainted Knights overrun the castle and you need to reclaim it back. You will battle through various levels filled with formidable enemies, traps and obstacles.
The dark twist to a familiar legendary tale invites people to explore the world of the dark corrupted realm of King Arthur. The lore is quite brimming with moral complexities with intriguing lore. The intertwining of myth with dark fantasy really sets the mood for the game and it enhances the game’s immersion.
To its core Sworn is a cooperative roguelike where you can play with your friends. It offers a blend of fast-paced action with a strategic gameplay. Moreover, you won’t easily get bored as each gameplay feels distinct due to procedurally generated levels.
Character Customization and Progression
Players have the freedom to choose heroes from a diverse roster. Each hero has unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses. The game also introduces the concept of swearing loyalty to different lords which offers unique blessings to customize the game.
“Swear fealty to the Fae Lords, and choose from over 200 unique blessings to unleash your full potential. Will you wield the cleansing fires of Titania or take the blessings of Oberon to strike with the fury of the wind?”
These blessings will act as some sort of modifiers to enhance your gameplay and unlock new powers. Moreover, you can experiment with thousands of unique builds to find your perfect playstyle.
“Combine your blessings with unique character, weapon, and ability selections. Test thousands of unique builds as you become a seasoned knight.”
Combat System
The combat system of Sworn is quite dynamic, fluid and fast-paced. The battles are fast-paced which requires players to think quickly and make strategic movies. You need to learn the distinct behaviors and attack patterns of the enemies to get the competitive advantage.
The cooperative feature helps to add layers of team strategy to maximize the strength and mitigate any rooms for weaknesses. The nature of the game allows players to experiment and come up with various ways to refine the tactics.
Procedurally Generated Levels
Like every roguelike the levels are different which ensures that no two runs are the same as before. Players can expect to navigate from eerie forest to crumbling castle grounds with many enemies. Each level has its own unique challenges and enemies. The procedurally generated levels allow players to enjoy the gameplay without getting bored.
Cooperative Multiplayer
The 1-4 player co-op sets Sworn apart from other rogue-like games. Your friends can join you on an adventure to reclaim the castle through the cooperative feature. The game fosters teamwork and communication to maximize strength.
“Play solo or unite with friends to stand off against the Knights of the Round Table. Combine the strengths of your characters in surprising ways and master abilities to become knights worthy of standing off against Arthur himself.”
Roguelike Elements
Sworn has roguelike elements like permadeath, power-ups and escalating difficulty. Once you die you need to start over again but you will retain the knowledge. This helps to make different strategic choices in future runs to increase the win rate. Moreover, death in Sworn is not the end, instead it is an opportunity to improve further.
Conclusion
Sworn by Windwalk Games is something to look forward to if you are into roguelike. The game focuses on cooperative multiplayer which makes it a good selling point. Moreover, the artstyle looks like it is straight out of a graphic novel. Sworn has all the ingredients to become a fan favorite if the developers make it right!
