Bioware started teasing the release of their new RPS game a few weeks before GamesCom. We had nothing to go on but this teaser and a thumbnail image named “Shadow_Realms_Teaser_video.jpg”. After yesterday’s presentation at GamesCom we can now confirm that the game will indeed be called Shadow Realms, and that it is an online action RPG.
Here’s everything we know at this point:
Set in a “modern fantasy world,” Shadow Realms is an action role-playing game. It has four-versus-one gameplay, with four players able to fight against the Shadow Lord that controls everything in the game or play as the evil lord. Shadow Realms is currently slated for PC only. The episodic role-playing game is kicking off its closed Alpha. Sign up for it here.
Here’s the description on the official Shadow Realms website:
From the storytelling experts at BioWare comes Shadow Realms™, a new 4v1 story-driven Online Action RPG with dynamic co-op missions in a constantly evolving BioWare world. Join an ongoing adventure with new episodes released frequently. Experience the thrill of making your own choices as to the path you take through the story, uncovering new mysteries and revealing hidden twists unexpectedly as you progress. Fight as a modern-day Hero who suddenly awakens with magical powers and is pulled into a dark realm and centuries old battle. Team up with three other Heroes in adventures facing off against a fantastic array of demonic bosses and supernatural creatures in a raging war against the Shadow Legions to save all of humanity. Summon all your powers as you prepare to battle a player-controlled Shadowlord, who possesses the ultimate weapon – the human mind.
The power is yours. You’ve been chosen.
Theres 7 classes to choose from:
Warrior
Equipped with cutting-edge tactical gear from Earth, the Warrior excels when going toe-to-toe with enemies, crushing them with brute force. The adrenaline of close quarters combat fuels their ability to withstand damage.
Assassin
The sleek and mobile Assassin uses the cover of shadows to deal lethal amounts of damage. An expert in acrobatics, the Assassin dashes into melee range to quickly dispose of enemies and dodges back out to avoid any retaliation.
Wizard
Think of the Wizard as the smartest kid in class, who uses their mind to bend the elements and alter reality to take out enemies or benefit allies. A master of the arcane, Wizards burn and electrocute any hostile foes unlucky enough to cross their path.
Cleric
The Cleric channels the newly found magical energies through both modern and fantastical weaponry to both deadly and restorative effects, as the tactical situation may need.
Ranger
Rangers use their gifts to call the beasts of Embra and Earth to arms against the Shadow Legion. Combined with the tools of modern warfare and keen senses, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Warlock
Warlocks challenge the Shadowlord with their mastery of the darkness. They dabble in the arts of binding demons and conjuring volatile powers for the greater good of Earth and Embra.
Shadowlord
The mysterious Shadowlords reign over the many forces of the Shadow Legions. Their powers and forms vary greatly, but all have domain over the Heroes adventures, and all are bent on the destruction of Earth and Embra.
There’s no official release date yet, but our guess is early 2015. Stay tuned for a first gameplay video, which we hope we’ll be able to get our hands on before the end of GamesCom 2014!
