There’s a new action RPG in town — or at least there will be — as Czech studio Perun Creative confirmed that Kromlech will debut in Early Access for PC via Steam on March 5 (sorry, console fans: no word on versions for PS5 or Xbox Series).
According to the official information, the game aims to provide a “unique blend” of RPG mechanics, immersive simulation, and roguelite elements, set within a dark fantasy world defined by “swords and sorcery”.
Perun says that this initial release is expected to include all core gameplay mechanics, with the developer anticipating a 12-month Early Access period to finalize planned content and features.
Kromlech will feature immersive sandbox and a lot of customization
Unlike many contemporary fantasy titles, Kromlech draws its primary inspiration from the European Iron Age, specifically focusing on Celtic cultures and the classic works of the Sword & Sorcery genre. While definitely not the same in the aspects of looks and gameplay, the narrative background takes the same baseline as titles like Folklore, Tears to Tiara and, more recently, Hellblade.
The game world is described as a place where steel is still a young technology and sorcery is inherently treacherous. Players step into the shoes of Cronach, a lone adventurer navigating the final days of a dying world.
However, instead of focusing on traditional fantasy virtues, Kromlech defines its heroes by the tangible impact of their actions on the environment. As Cronach, players must use the time they have left to uncover the mysteries of the apocalypse, potentially learning how to stop it — or at least ensuring they can enjoy their “hard-earned coin” before the end.
Judging by the available media, the game seems to be an ode to early 2000 RPGs, but with a more contemporary gameplay mechanic, absorbing elements of the roguelite genre (of which Hades, Dead Cells and other titles are major representatives) and inserting it all in a hand-crafted world that functions as an immersive sandbox with a high degree of reactivity.
In practical terms: the player will be free to explore and look for secrets, albeit in a controlled environment — and the world will react to their actions.
In order to survive, the game offers extensive character customization options:
- Mystical Enhancements: Players can inscribe equipment with words of power, consume mystical brews, or decorate their bodies with warpaint.
- Skill Mastery: Mastery is achieved through dedicated practice and refining specific feats of battle.
- Divine Interaction: The path to power may also involve making sacrifices to the gods to gain their favor.
The combat system is poised to be a mix between strategical variety — pinpointing enemy weaknesses with precision striking — and heavy-handed combat, essentially allowing players to switch up tactics between studying opponents or Rambo-ing through them with heavy weaponry.
While RPGs in general reward intelligence over brute force, Kromlech will encourage you to dive into the fray even if you’re not fully planned ahead — it’s not like you’d power through everything (this is an RPG, after all), but it’s always a nice touch when you’re able to just say “Screw it, jump in and hit everything” too.
As you fulfill quests of varying degrees, your character will grow in renown, earning heroic epithets — these will grant you significant power, but at a certain, yet-unnamed cost. The suggestion is that fame will not come without hefty asking prices.
All in all, Kromlech is trying to assert itself as a homage to old school RPGs, but without neglecting more modern elements. You can check the game’s Steam page for wishlisting and more information.
