Early Access games can be scary — ever heard of "too many cooks", except all the cooks are gamers? — but they can also result in some lovingly-polished games that don't make it to Switch until they're really, really good.
It sounds like The Hand of Merlin is one of those games, having been in Early Access on Steam long enough to have had a whopping eight major updates, all of which will be coming to the 1.0 version on Switch.
The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based roguelite RPG which combines dark sci-fi horror with Arthurian legend, as your chosen band of three heroes venture from Albion to Jerusalem on a quest to save the world. Also, there are some really in-depth strategy mechanics, from the sound of the game's blurb:
Utilizing squad-based and turn-based combat, players can employ tactical cunning to use cover, set up ambushes and coordinate attacks to conquer both human and unworldly abhorrent foes looking to do them harm. With a large focus on exploration and encounter, players will traverse an intricately crafted multiverse as they jump from one parallel dimension to the next.
Each world saved is saved forever, but each world lost is lost for all eternity, consumed into darkness. Adventurers will need to weigh the consequences of their actions in the decisions they make since their human form has its limits.
The game gives us strong Divinity: Original Sin II and XCOM vibes, with that familiar grid-based chess combat that you can also find in Fire Emblem games. But there's also the story element, which seems more like the Sorcery! games, or other Choose Your Own Adventure-style narratives, which is certainly an intriguing mix.
The Hand of Merlin comes to the Nintendo Switch eShop on June 14th, and will cost £26.99 / $29.99.
Sound like your strategy jam? Tell us in the comments!
Comments 17
You've got to hand it to Merlin. . .
Edit:
Merlin it to win it.
I always become apprehensive when I read Rouge-lite. I wish it was an old-school RPG instead.
There's already so many turn based tactics games. I want more turn based RPGs, that aren't top down or isometric. I hate that perspective, for some reason. I tolerate it for fire emblem, but that's about it.
Well, I love turn-based strategy and roguelites, so I'll be watching for reviews of this. It sounds right up my alley.
This looks cool, I'm interested.
My interest is piqued!
Nice, sounds really good. Always could use a new roguelike to pop in a run or two. One of my favorite genres ever since Hades.
When I hear cards I am immediately turned off.
I played CCG's as a kid, and enjoyed them. But digital cards? I simply don't understand the appeal, or how anyone ever thought it would be an engaging way to play a videogame.
There is at least a visual resemblance here to the Zerg from StarCraft II which I find somewhat off-putting, but I am interested to see more of this game, nonetheless.
@KateGray I'm glad you're "overseeing" this genre on NL, it kinda unifies things. Something about your description here recalled the Banner Saga Trilogy to mind for me. Have you tried that one? I'd be curious to know your opinion about it, if you're game.
Please change the headline, the word “heaven” is triggering for me since it reminds me how long it’s been since we’ve gotten a new Rhythm Heaven game.
And on the ol' Wishlist it goes!
Darn. Cards and roguelite means I’m out. Was curious about this one too.
Welp this looks like my jam, and damn it looks good.
@CANOEberry I tried it a loooong time ago, maybe when it came out on iPad — maybe slightly before I even worked in games??? — and it felt quite slow. But I know a lot of people love it, so I should really give it another go!
@KateGray Hahahha... oh dear. I just realized how inappropriate it was to ask the Backlog Club President, "Hey, have you played this one?"... désolé, Kate.
@CANOEberry MY BACKLOG IS MY SHAAAAME
@KateGray I somehow missed this article and was just looking at the listing on the eshop. This caught my eye, “There are as many worlds as there are stars in the sky. In each stands Camelot; in each there is a Grail, but there is only one Merlin and his eternal burden is to stand against the horror from beyond. Each world that is saved is saved forever, each world that is lost is lost for good.”
This is straight out of Moorcock and I’m so ready for it.
When I backed out of the game information the eshop list refreshed and the game was gone, because it had released while I was reading. I’ll take this as a sign from the multiverse and buy immediately.
Also, Banner Saga will smash your heart to pieces.
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