As part of gmaescom 2022, Systemic Reaction, the team behind the acclaimed shooters Generation Zero and Second Extinction, unveiled a bold fantasy action RPG that weaves roguelike elements into a sprawling open world bound by a Raven motif. The anticipation centered on a game that would blend harsh, action-driven combat with procedural tension, all set within a richly textured mythic landscape that invites both exploration and experimentation.
Ravenbound immerses players in a world born from Scandinavian folklore, where the veil between the mortal realm and ancient powers is thin and full of danger. The central story follows a lone protagonist whose action unleashes a powerful, god-forged weapon sealed within a mysterious barrel. The hero’s mission is clear yet perilous: cleanse the land of Avalt from encroaching dark forces and restore balance to a realm that constantly shimmers between hope and ruin. The expansive game world invites endless discovery on foot, across snow-dusted fjords, windswept plateaus, and shadowed forests, as well as from above, where flight reveals hidden paths, ancient ruins, and drifting auroras that hint at forgotten legends. Along this journey, players encounter a diverse array of fantastical beings, from towering trolls and elusive huldras to the long-dead draugrs who haunt ancient tombs and submerged ruins. Combat blends up-close melee with potent sorcery, allowing choices that feel both personal and tactical. The magic system complements the weaponry, offering spellcraft that can turn the tide of battle, shape the battlefield, or unlock secrets buried beneath the world’s surface. Central to the gameplay is a deck-building mechanic: players assemble a strategic hand of cards that grant access to powerful gear, formidable weapons, and arcane abilities. This system encourages experimentation and adaptation, ensuring no two runs are alike. Yet the path to mastery is steep, and players must earn each card through exploration, resource management, and bold decision-making as they push toward the game’s climactic encounters.
The game presents a dynamic, living world where exploration is rewarded with meaningful choices. Traversal on foot allows players to engage with the environment on a granular level—from scouting routes through rugged terrain to triggering environmental puzzles that reveal hidden vaults and ancient inscriptions. Flight, meanwhile, provides a liberating perspective and a tactical advantage, letting players bypass perilous ground confrontations or reach elusive checkpoints suspended high above. The encounter design emphasizes variety: stealth sections that reward careful timing, large-scale boss battles that demand quick thinking and strategic card play, and skirmishes that test reflexes and resource management. Through the deck system, players curate a toolkit that evolves with each run, granting new gear slots, defensive boons, and offensive bursts as they uncover relics, runes, and relic-bound artifacts scattered across the world. The combination of open exploration, aerial traversal, and card-driven progression makes Ravenbound a relentless, ever-shifting challenge that rewards curiosity and persistence.
The project remains without a confirmed release date, but it is slated for PC and is already making waves on Steam, where hopeful fans can add the game to their wishlist and follow future updates as development progresses. Ravenbound’s development philosophy emphasizes player agency, emergent storytelling, and a sense of wonder that comes from uncovering a lore-rich landscape inspired by Nordic myth. This approach aims to deliver a memorable adventure where strategic deck-building, precise combat, and expansive exploration come together to create a uniquely atmospheric experience that resonates with fans of fantasy worlds and roguelike mechanics alike.