Veterans of EA and DICE’s Star Wars: Battlefront series, including former creative director Dennis Brännvall and technical design director Fia Tjernberg, have embarked on a new journey. After EA’s decision to shift away from Battlefront, Brännvall and Tjernberg left DICE to establish Wayfinder Studios. Their inaugural title, Wyldheart, marks a significant departure from their previous work, swapping large-scale sci-fi multiplayer battles for a rustic, cooperative RPG world.
Imagine moving from the fast-paced action of Call of Duty to the strategic depth of Baldur’s Gate – that’s the kind of transition Wyldheart represents. This co-op RPG draws heavy inspiration from classic Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons. It encourages players to craft their unique stories by building upon core narrative anchors. The game offers a persistent multiplayer world supporting multiple campaigns, each promising around ten hours of gameplay.
Players begin by creating a character from three distinct races: Freefolk, Mossling, or Grimhorn. They then define their character’s role through various ‘jobs,’ influencing their playstyle, and personalize their avatar with extensive customization options. From there, players dive into a dynamic world, undertaking tasks and missions that contribute to a larger overarching narrative. While individual play sessions support up to four users, the persistent world allows many more players to drop in and out, collectively advancing the story and progression without the need for a dedicated host. Wayfinder Studios aims to make planning game nights easier than ever, a claim that aligns with initial impressions.
During a recent preview, I experienced Wyldheart’s dungeon crawling and exploration. Dungeons are designed with dark, narrow corridors, populated by enemies and traps. Players loot resources and uncover hidden secrets. The game employs a third-person perspective with an accessible, MMO-like combat system. This involves swinging melee weapons, blocking, manual dodging, and utilizing magical or ranged abilities depending on character class and available tools. Progressing through dungeons means battling skeletons and slimy oozes with swords, hammers, and other weapons, earning experience, and finding stronger gear to enhance combat prowess.
Dungeons also feature minor puzzles, expected to increase in complexity later in the game. An example involved finding color-coded items, often hidden in dripping goo piles, to open a door leading to a formidable boss. Teamwork is crucial here, as leveraging specific weaknesses – like a boss vulnerable to fire damage – can lead to swift victories. After the dungeon, the adventure continued into the main world. A brief stop at a campfire for rest and dinner was followed by a journey to a picturesque town. This hub provides all an adventurer’s needs: a cozy inn, a blacksmith for gear upgrades, charming, hand-decorated houses, and quest-givers. Listening to local rumors can even uncover exciting adventures and powerful equipment.
In true TTRPG fashion, Wyldheart avoids traditional hand-holding. While not overly complex, the sense of adventure is preserved by omitting a mini-map or compass and presenting quest steps open to interpretation rather than explicit instructions. This design choice might require an adjustment period for newcomers but is likely to deepen the thrill of exploration and mystery for players enjoying the game with friends.
As Wyldheart is still in early development, with a Kickstarter campaign underway, discussions about performance and visuals are premature, as these aspects will undoubtedly evolve. However, the game’s core direction and intention appear solid. The developers’ evident passion for TTRPGs shines through, imbuing the game with character, charm, and pride. Given the pedigree of the Wayfinder team, including veterans from DICE, Embark Studios, and Mojang, ambitious multiplayer and technical goals for Wyldheart seem well within reach. This promising title is slated for a future PC launch.