Ancient Enemy is a British folklore card battler from the Shadowhand devs

I don’t suppose I’ve made many enemies. I might need by chance reduce in entrance of somebody in a queue for some loos final month, however I think about they’re much less cross than the “dread nemesis waiting patiently in the dark fastness of a monstrous citadel” for the protagonist of Ancient Enemy. He’s a fallen mage “awakening from centuries of slumber”, so I’m glad we’ve determined to stay with our respective foes.

Ancient Enemy is an upcoming card battler from the Shadowhand and Regency Solitaire devs, this time collaborating with Jim ‘never heard of him’ Rossignol. It’s impressed by British mythology and the Mabinogion, so anybody that’s heard of that may begin feeling smug.

“The idea is to iterate on what was successful about [the] last two games”, tweets Shadowhand creator Jake Birkett, however “to hit the market more squarely with this one”. So, what are you able to count on?

“Expect card battling, visceral fights, mixed with bleak and evocative folklore! Loot the fallen to fill your hero’s RPG-style inventory with collectible cards, capture strongholds and gather talented henchmen. Only powerful magic and iron determination will enable revenge upon your ultimate foe.”

Here’s the factor: Brendy really didn’t get on with Shadowhand. He felt that an amazing diploma of luck left little room for significant decision-making, so it seems like the brand new fight system must veer distant from the outdated to lure me in. Fortunately, the announcement post from Grey Alien Games suggests it’d.

There’s this line about how “the new, faster, turn-based combat puts the focus on the player’s choices”, however these are simply phrases. Crucially, they’re backed up by an thought – “your enemy’s next move is revealed, and you must respond accordingly”. That’s an concept that’s so good Alex Wiltshire dedicated an entire Mechanic column to why it’s the key behind Slay The Spire‘s success, and I agree with him.

Poking into British mythology that sidesteps King Arthur intrigues me greater than freeway theft in Austen-land, too. Especially when Rossignol is doing a number of the poking – The Signal From Tölva epitomises “bleak and evocative”.

All of that had me offered even earlier than I googled the artistic talents of Jen Pattison, who’s additionally on board. When this Ancient Enemy reveals extra of itself, I’ll remember to let .

It’ll be out a while subsequent yr.

Disclosure: Jim Rossignol was a founding member of RPS, however I’ve by no means met him.