I’ve been following it for a while now, and today’s news is the release of a Free Prologue for Lords of Ravage, titled Dread Knights. In this game, developed by Synthetic Domain and published by 101XP, you assume the role of the main antagonist, combining dark fantasy themes with roguelite elements, allowing you to command armies, defeat heroes, and dominate kingdoms in pursuit of a world-altering artifact.
In the prologue Dread Knights, you assume the role of Berold, a disgruntled noble turned leader of the Knights of Terror. Tired of serving a weak king, Berold seizes control of his destiny, rallying an army of minions and deploying strategy, magic, and guile to rise to power.
The prologue introduces a fully explorable region with 20 unique locations, each offering challenges, resources, and secrets to uncover. You can recruit from a pool of nine unique minions belonging to the Dark Alliance and Mercenary Guild factions, each bringing distinct strengths and tactical possibilities. Battles are fought in a tactical turn-based system, with 17 strategic “Orders” at your disposal to tip the scales in your favor. Additionally, you can collect 10 rare artifacts to enhance your army’s effectiveness and overcome diverse enemies, each presenting unique mechanics to keep combat engaging and unpredictable.
Gameplay emphasizes player choice and strategy. You will command your followers, exploit their abilities, and weaken the kingdoms’ political and economic stability. With procedurally generated locations to conquer, gold to collect, magical powers to unlock, and armies to upgrade, every decision matters as you pave your path to becoming the ultimate villain. The challenge culminates in facing off against heroes with distinct abilities.
The prologue serves as a preview of the full Lords of Ravage experience, providing a glimpse of its story, combat system, and strategy layer mechanics. Players are encouraged to wishlist the full game on Steam to stay informed about its release and continue Berold’s journey toward domination. Below are some screens, an overview, and a trailer.
OVERVIEW
Lords of Ravage: Dread Knights is a prologue to Lords of Ravage, a dark fantasy tactical RPG with roguelike elements.
In this free version, you will experience the events that preceded the story of the main game. Take on the role of Berold, an indestructible Lord of Ravage, In the King’s service, he finds that he has been too merciful, too accepting of others’ weakness. Only a fool would stay blind to the one true path to a mighty kingdom: a path of terror and blood. It’s time to take the reigns and prove yourself.
Enslave the land to your whims! Build up your influence in the kingdoms by undermining their political and economic power. Lead an army of followers in spectacular turn-based combat against powerful heroes. Conquer territories in search of a powerful artifact that can shape the world. Make your enemies tremble: be the final boss they must face!
Decide what kind of minions you wish to summon: loyal warriors of the Dark Alliance, or mercenaries from the farthest reaches of the kingdom. Your influence and reputation will be reason enough to join for some, others will be tempted by the glimmer of gold. Combine warriors from different factions to consolidate their strengths and weaknesses. But your power doesn’t end there: you will have Orders and artifacts at your disposal. Use them wisely, and they will turn the tide in your favor.
Fight a variety of enemies in gripping turn-based combat with unique mechanics. A classic adventuring party, a lone summoner, a warrior brotherhood, a military expedition… each with their strengths and exploitable weaknesses that dictate their behavior in combat.
To build up your power, you must replenish your treasury and acquire new magic powers. Raze and pillage enemy lands, and take their gold for yourself. Use that wealth to upgrade your warriors’ stats, or hire more of them. Gather your might by absorbing power from sources of magic, and discover the secret knowledge of Orders to aid your warriors in battle or stagger your enemies with curses.
Prologue Features:
- The story of one of three Lords of Ravage: Berold, Leader of the Dread Knights!
- A region of 20 locations to explore, each full of various rewards.
- 9 warriors of the Dark Alliance and Mercenary Guild factions with unique abilities and weaknesses.
- 17 combat Orders that can sway battles in your favor.
- 10 powerful relics scattered throughout the region, discoverable through razing and pillaging the lands of your enemies.
- 15 enemy types that will rue the day they dared to oppose you!
