Dreamhaven, a company established by Blizzard's co-founder Mike Morhaime, is expanding its game portfolio with a new tactical roguelike called Shadowstone, slated for release later this year. This upcoming game, developed by Secret Door, builds upon the existing Sunderfolk universe, offering players a fresh, independent adventure. Concurrently, Sunderfolk, a tactics RPG from the same developer, is receiving a significant 2.0 update that introduces mouse and keyboard controls, online multiplayer capabilities, and a new playable character.
Shadowstone, designed for 1-4 players, focuses on a "run-based experience" within "shadowstone-infested ruins," where strategic decisions involving skill cards, equipment, and power-ups are crucial for survival. While Sunderfolk integrates quests and a customizable village, Shadowstone provides a more streamlined, challenge-oriented gameplay loop. This new release is particularly important for Dreamhaven, as the company has faced financial challenges despite critical acclaim for its previous titles.
The Emergence of Shadowstone: A New Roguelike Adventure
Dreamhaven, a venture by Blizzard's co-founder Mike Morhaime, is launching a new tactical roguelike game named Shadowstone, developed by Secret Door. This title, expected later this year, is designed for one to four players and is set within the same universe as Secret Door’s previously released tactics RPG, Sunderfolk. Shadowstone promises a standalone experience, meaning players won't need prior knowledge of Sunderfolk's campaign to dive in. Morhaime emphasized the team's dedication to creating games that foster positive player interaction, highlighting Shadowstone's commitment to expanding the Sunderfolk world while allowing both solo and group play. This new game represents a crucial step for Dreamhaven, as its previous releases, including Sunderfolk, Wildgate, and Lynked: Banner of the Spark, have struggled to achieve widespread commercial success, leading to financial difficulties and layoffs.
Shadowstone offers a unique "run-based experience" where the primary objective is to escape procedurally generated "shadowstone-infested ruins." Each playthrough presents fresh challenges with randomized rooms and enemies, demanding adaptable strategies based on an evolving selection of skill cards, versatile equipment, and dynamic power-ups. Unlike Sunderfolk's more expansive RPG elements, which include various quests and a village for upgrades and social interactions, Shadowstone focuses on a more concentrated, action-oriented gameplay loop. Initially, the early access version of Shadowstone will only support mouse and keyboard controls, with full couch co-op planned for its complete release. This marks a departure from Sunderfolk’s acclaimed mobile phone control scheme, which was praised for its effectiveness, though Sunderfolk itself is also being updated to include mouse and keyboard support for broader accessibility.
Sunderfolk's Evolution: Enhanced Controls and Multiplayer
In parallel with the Shadowstone announcement, Secret Door is rolling out a significant 2.0 update for Sunderfolk, its original tactics RPG. This update, set to launch on March 10, addresses a key accessibility point by introducing full mouse and keyboard support for both single-player and online multiplayer modes. Previously, Sunderfolk gained attention for its innovative mobile phone controls, which allowed players to use their smartphones as controllers. While this unique approach was well-received, the addition of traditional PC input methods aims to broaden the game's appeal and provide a more conventional gaming experience for a wider audience. The update also brings online multiplayer, enabling players to team up with friends across the internet, though each player will need their own copy of the game, contrasting with the couch co-op model where a single copy sufficed.
Beyond control enhancements, Sunderfolk's 2.0 update enriches the game's content with a new hero class, the Vanguard, and a fresh array of missions. These additions are designed to expand the depth and replayability of the Sunderfolk universe, offering new tactical possibilities and narrative threads for players to explore. This comprehensive update reflects Secret Door's ongoing commitment to improving Sunderfolk, even as attention shifts to its new roguelike spin-off. The introduction of online multiplayer is particularly noteworthy, fostering a more connected community around the game and potentially boosting its long-term engagement. The developer hopes these enhancements will reinvigorate the player base and reinforce the appeal of the Sunderfolk universe, demonstrating a continuous effort to evolve and adapt their titles in response to player feedback and industry trends.
