This New RPG Is Neverwinter Nights in 17th Century France, and I’m Already Sold

Whenever I delve into the realm of role-playing games, my heart almost invariably draws me back to the golden age of classical CRPGs. It remains exceedingly difficult to surpass timeless triumphs like Planescape: Torment, the foundational Baldur’s Gate duology, and Neverwinter Nights. While contemporary titles occasionally brand themselves as spiritual successors—such as Pillars of Eternity—discovering brand-new releases that genuinely emulate the distinctive atmosphere of those vintage milestones is a formidable challenge. Enter Covenant of Gears: The Three Musketeers.

Officially unveiled on August 10, this promising project hails from the French independent publisher and developer Super AC. In contemporary gaming discourse, mentioning a French RPG immediately evokes memories of 2025’s multi-award-winning phenomenon, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, Covenant of Gears charts an entirely different course from Sandfall Interactive’s acclaimed masterpiece. The title’s official Steam listing classifies it as a tactical role-playing experience anchored within a reimagined 17th-century France, fusing alternate history with intricate steampunk engineering. Players assume command of the four legendary protagonists immortalized in Alexandre Dumas’ celebrated literature: the esteemed Musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—alongside their intrepid companion, D’Artagnan.

The concept sounds wonderfully quirky, refreshingly original, and I am completely here for it. I have always adored Alexandre Dumas’ works for their rich tapestry of political intrigue, breathless adventure, and larger-than-life personas. I am especially eager to witness how the adaptation handles the cunning and formidable Cardinal Richelieu. Cinematic history boasts incredible portrayals of this iconic antagonist—from Charlton Heston in 1973 and Tim Curry in 1993, to Christoph Waltz in 2011. Perhaps Super AC might even secure the talents of Ben Starr, or daringly, J.K. Simmons for the role.

Yet, the inventive universe isn’t the only aspect drawing attention. Each of the four swashbuckling comrades is designated a distinct combat role. D’Artagnan functions as the versatile warrior, Porthos acts as the resilient tank, Athos commands the battlefield as the sharpshooter, and Aramis strikes from the shadows as the assassin. Furthermore, every character features a deeply customizable progression tree, empowering players to unlock devastating collaborative maneuvers and synergistic combat combinations.

Mechanically, Covenant of Gears: The Three Musketeers relies on real-time combat supplemented by a tactical pause feature. If that design choice doesn’t scream classic CRPG nostalgia enough, the developers are also including a modular campaign editor. This tool allows users to craft custom narratives and locales, which can then be readily distributed via the Steam Workshop. It instantly transports me back to the countless evenings spent tinkering with the Neverwinter Nights Aurora Toolset alongside the vibrant community surrounding its dedicated multiplayer servers.

Judging by the promotional media released so far, Covenant of Gears genuinely captures the spirit of a true Neverwinter Nights successor. While nostalgic appeals can occasionally feel cheap, this title appears fully equipped to stand firmly on its own merits. Fortunately, everything showcased thus far looks immensely promising. The sole drawback is that the project is still quite a ways off; early access is slated for the final quarter of 2027. Meanwhile, an upcoming Kickstarter campaign will soon launch to expand the development team and sustain ongoing production expenses.

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Ultimately, Covenant of Gears: The Three Musketeers beautifully marries two of my greatest passions: the exhilarating cloak-and-dagger universe conceived by Alexandre Dumas and the intricate CRPG mechanics that defined my formative gaming years. I simply cannot wait to dive into early access when it launches in late 2027.

Source: Polygon