Over the past few months there have been several games that smoosh (technical term) board games, card games and RPG’s together, Hand of Fate and Dicetiny spring to mind. Although each of them share similar smooshing techniques the elements are brought together in unique ways. Well, now there’s a third to add to your list, Armello.
Here’s Brun
Armello, takes its base from fantasy board games, but mixes in with it tactical card play, and the elements or RPG’s that makes them what they are. It’s in Steam early release for PC, but it’s full release at the start of September will be paired with the PS4 version release.
However, this announcement is not just a about release dates, but also the introduction of the first of four new character plus a complete visual upgrade that includes a lighting overhaul, higher detail models, shaders etc.
Brun Oakbreaker, the male bear is the first of four new characters that will be added to the game. Brun will be playable, by appointment only, for the first time at E3, so if you’re not heading to E3 you’ll have to wait.
Those who enter the vibrant magical world of Armello choose a character from one of four animal clans, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, and compete for the crown while battling against the mad king’s guards, monsters and each other.
To win, players must slay the mad king and survive the battle, gain more prestige than their competitors by completing heroic deeds and quests, or collect magical spirit stones and use them to cure the king of his insanity.
Armello, a Fantasy Board Game Brought to Life, Coming to PlayStation 4
New Character Revealed, Playable for the First Time at E3
Armello, the Kickstarter-funded title from League of Geeks, will launch on PlayStation 4 in September 2015 in addition to the previously announced PC release. This fantasy board game come to life combines deep, tactical card play, rich tabletop strategy and RPG elements.
Today with the release of the Armello Teaser Trailer for PS4, League of Geeks is unveiling the game’s complete visual upgrade scheduled to hit PS4, PC, Mac and Linux at launch this september. Even with Armello already lauded for its visual achievements, numerous graphical improvements are being made, including volumetric cloud and weather effects, an overhaul of lighting and shaders, high detail character models and an entire remodeling of the environment.
At launch League of Geeks will also double the amount of playable characters currently available in Early Access, increasing the number from four to eight. The male bear clan hero, ‘Brun Oakbreaker’, highlighted in the assets released today, is the first upcoming character to be revealed. Brun will be playable for the first time at E3 in room 515a in the West Hall.
Set in a vibrant magical world with a tinge of darkness, Armello thrusts players into a Game of Thrones-esque struggle for power in epic single or multiplayer action. Players take on the role of a ‘Hero’ from one of the four animal clans and navigate their character across the procedurally generated board as they quest, scheme, explore, vanquish monsters, perform the Mad King’s royal edicts and face off against other players, with one ultimate goal in mind – storming the palace and becoming King or Queen of Armello.
Players start in their clan grounds and traverse the board with a set number of action points for each turn to spend on moving their character from tile to tile. Each tile presents different consequences including exploring a dungeon, gaining or losing health, claiming a settlement for your own or granting stealth. With more than 100 beautifully animated and illustrated cards, players can cast spells, recruit followers, uncover ancient treasures and execute treacherous plots as they quest for the throne!
There are four ways to win in Armello.
Combat – Slaying the king and surviving the confrontation
Prestige Victory – Having the most Prestige when the King dies, whether from his afflictions (the King loses health every dawn) or dying in combat with the attacking player also not surviving the battle. Prestige is gained by completing heroic deeds such as killing other players, vanquishing banes or completing quests
Spirit Stone Collection – magical Spirit Stones can be found throughout Armello. If a player collects four, they can use them to assist the King in passing in peace, restoring balance to Armello
Rot Victory – players who defeat the King in combat whilst having more Rot than him (and live to tell the tale) will win the game and shroud Armello in darkness.
“While we knew Armello would be something special, the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received from players surprised even us,” said Trent Kusters, founder and director, League of Geeks. “Armello has enough simplicity for anyone to pick up and play, and has just enough depth to keep hardcore gamers coming back for more.”
The Early Access build of Armello is now available for Windows, Mac and Linux on Steam and Humble Store for $24.99 USD.
League of Geeks is a Melbourne-based Australian indie developer made of industry veterans. While Armello is the studio’s first game, the team members’ individual resumes cite famous AAA franchises including Pokemon, Grand Theft Auto, Dragon Age and Warhammer.
League of Geeks’ goal is to create innovative games in original fantasy worlds with engaging stories.
Jim Franklin is a freelance writer, living in Derby UK with his wife and his player 3. When time allows he likes nothing more than losing himself in a multi-hour gaming session. He likes most games and will play anything but prefers MMO's, and sandbox RPG's.
