Beamdog, the studio best-known for remastering 90s BioWare classics like Baldur's Gate, has officially revealed its next project, and it's definitely not an RPG. Instead, Beamdog is making MythForce, a first-person roguelite meant to evoke the spirit of Saturday morning cartoons.
Launching into Early Access next week, the new title draws inspiration from 80s animated classics like Dragon's Lair, Thundercats, and He-Man. It is being built in Unreal Engine, with characters who steadily level up and gain new abilities as they explore procedurally-generated maps.
MythForce director Luke Rideout cites Deep Rock Galactics and Vermintide as key influences on the gameplay.
"It's definitely not a Baldur's Gate," Rideout says.
While MythForce is based on the famously goofy cartoons of the 80s, Rideout says that the team wants the tone to be "more cheeky than campy," and is confident that Beamdog has managed to "tow that line pretty well."
It's exemplified in the opening cinematic, which is intended to capture the spirit of the theme songs from that era. Reminiscent of everything from BraveStarr to Silverhawks, it is perhaps the most overtly '80s element of MythForce. Once in game, the four playable characters are in some ways closer to Overwatch or Valorant than Thundercats, though the villains definitely have that He-Man feel to them.
MythForce is a departure for Beamdog, which was originally formed by BioWare co-founder Trent Oster alongside Cameron Tofer in 2009. The studio is mainly responsible for enhanced versions of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape Torment. MythForce, which will be published by Aspyr Media, will be its first original IP.
“I’m beyond excited to finally show off our team’s original work,” Oster said in the official release. “MythForce is pure, unadulterated fun — right out of the Saturday mornings of my childhood. With a simple yet satisfying game loop, it’s a big departure from the RPG classics we’re known for, but the Beamdog DNA is evident if you know where to look.
MythForce is currently being developed for release on PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive. The early access release, due April 20, will feature four heroes and the first episode, titled MythForce Episode 1: Bastion of the Beastlord. Additional episodes will be released as Early Access progresses.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
Continue reading...
Launching into Early Access next week, the new title draws inspiration from 80s animated classics like Dragon's Lair, Thundercats, and He-Man. It is being built in Unreal Engine, with characters who steadily level up and gain new abilities as they explore procedurally-generated maps.
MythForce director Luke Rideout cites Deep Rock Galactics and Vermintide as key influences on the gameplay.
"It's definitely not a Baldur's Gate," Rideout says.
While MythForce is based on the famously goofy cartoons of the 80s, Rideout says that the team wants the tone to be "more cheeky than campy," and is confident that Beamdog has managed to "tow that line pretty well."
It's exemplified in the opening cinematic, which is intended to capture the spirit of the theme songs from that era. Reminiscent of everything from BraveStarr to Silverhawks, it is perhaps the most overtly '80s element of MythForce. Once in game, the four playable characters are in some ways closer to Overwatch or Valorant than Thundercats, though the villains definitely have that He-Man feel to them.
MythForce is a departure for Beamdog, which was originally formed by BioWare co-founder Trent Oster alongside Cameron Tofer in 2009. The studio is mainly responsible for enhanced versions of classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape Torment. MythForce, which will be published by Aspyr Media, will be its first original IP.
“I’m beyond excited to finally show off our team’s original work,” Oster said in the official release. “MythForce is pure, unadulterated fun — right out of the Saturday mornings of my childhood. With a simple yet satisfying game loop, it’s a big departure from the RPG classics we’re known for, but the Beamdog DNA is evident if you know where to look.
MythForce is currently being developed for release on PC as an Epic Games Store exclusive. The early access release, due April 20, will feature four heroes and the first episode, titled MythForce Episode 1: Bastion of the Beastlord. Additional episodes will be released as Early Access progresses.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
Continue reading...
