There is no shortage of open world RPGs Steambut very few can capture the feel of iconic franchises that The Elder Scrolls. However, the upcoming Steam title Ardenfall aims to do just that, and it has a unique twist that sets it apart from the crowd. Apart from the first-person fantasy RPG game that Ardenfall borrow from The Elder Scrollsthe indie game also has a gorgeous cel-shaded art style that gives it a touch of Breath of the Wild style.
The debut game from indie developer Spellcast Studios has a big task to live up to its inspirations. Its unique art style and gameplay hook go a long way toward achieving this goal, but so is the world Ardenfall aim to create that will likely make players explore all it has to offer. For Elder scrolls fans looking for something to look forward to The Elder Scrolls 6, Ardenfall could be the slick RPG they've been waiting for.
Ardenfall currently has a free demo available on Steam for interested players to try, and it currently has a very positive rating from reviewers.
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Ardenfall features at a glance
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Different landscapes to explore
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Player freedom of choice with consequences
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Immersive atmosphere
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Sandbox battle
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Countless interesting characters to meet
While the first-person fantasy genre has seen some impressive releases over the past year, including Bethesda's Oblivion remastered and Obsidians Avowed, Ardenfall looks to do something none of these games have done. Ardenfall has a strong emphasis on its unique art style that aims to give the game a specific atmosphere for players to immerse themselves in. The graceful beauty of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was achieved largely through its art style, and Ardenfalls use of a similar cel-shaded look seems to recreate that feeling.
The World of Ardenfall is filled with secrets to uncover
Ardenfall may have a beautiful art style that complements the different biomes of the game's different regions, but it's the exploration of those regions that will keep players engaged. From windswept plains and flooded wetlands, to ancient ruins and winding caves, Ardenfall boasts an array of environments filled with monsters and treasures for players to uncover. Players will be able to traverse both the game's open world and its hand-crafted dungeons as those in Skyrim to find everything the game has to offer.
Player choices affect the world of Ardenfall
Freedom is a big part of Ardenfalls identity and the player's ability to influence the outside world with their choices should be a big draw for fans of The Elder Scrolls and other first-person RPGs. To complete certain quests or join some of Ardenfalls different factions can change how the game's NPCs perceive the player, and they will respond appropriately. The game's trailer shows a lighthouse either standing or lying in ruins, suggesting that players can completely destroy structures in the world depending on their actions.
Character customization also plays a large role in how NPCs view the player, as things like the character's race, tattoos, attributes, and traits can unlock certain dialogue options with specific NPCs that would otherwise be unavailable. Players can end up making a faction hostile simply because of their character's race, creating a situation where they will have to fight certain NPCs who would otherwise be neutral. Ardenfall also gives players other tools to navigate conflicts within their world, such as the ability to charm, persuade, and lie to achieve their goals.
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Ardenfall looks like Morrowind with Sandbox Combat
Ardenfall is already hailed as a spiritual successor to Morrowindand its world design and player freedom support this view. But even more like Morrowind is Ardenfalls sandbox-like combat that has nearly endless ways for players to approach the world and its enemies. Morrowind offers players the ability to create custom spells, but Ardenfall boasts that every rule in the game is breakable, suggesting that its magic system may go beyond that Elder scrolls inspiration.
From Ardenfalls trailer, players can get a good look at the types of combat options available to them when interacting with the world. In one case, one player can be seen raising a corpse like a necromancer, while another can be seen throwing a potion to defeat an enemy. All the fantasy weapons players could want are also featured, from one-handed swords and massive big axes, to daggers for backstabbing and bows for ranged combat. The wide range of weapons and spells provide Ardenfall players the freedom to create their ideal build.
Ardenfall could be the perfect game to ease the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6
The wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 will likely continue for a while, as Bethesda has yet to reveal anything of significance about the game. For fans of first-person fantasy RPGs who want to scratch it Elder scrolls itching meanwhile it seems Ardenfall ticks all the boxes and then some. While there is no firm release date for the game yet, Ardenfall is still on target to launch in 2026, with a demo currently available containing around 2 hours of content and 5 unique mission endings to showcase Ardenfalls commitment to player agency in its storytelling.
- Developer
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Spellcast Studios
- Publisher
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Spellcast Studios
