Ars Goetia’s turn-based RPG returns with first-person battles, flexible character builds, randomized loot, and a new timing-based combat system.
I absolutely loved the first game, and today we finally got the release date announcement for HellSlave II, the sequel to Ars Goetia’s dark RPG, published by Dear Villagers.
HellSlave II: Judgment of the Archon will launch for PC on August 4, 2026. The release date was revealed during the Convergence Games Showcase alongside a new trailer offering another look at the dark fantasy dungeon crawler.
Set in a world devastated by thousands of years of conflict between six demon lords, the sequel introduces an additional threat from above.
With the demonic war showing no sign of ending, the heavens send the Archon of Judgment to wipe out everything and begin again. Players are given one final opportunity to prevent annihilation by hunting down the demon lords before the Archon completes its mission.
HellSlave II retains the hand-drawn, comic book-inspired presentation and turn-based foundations of the original while expanding its combat and progression systems. Battles are shown from a first-person perspective and incorporate a timing mechanic in which every ability requires a specific number of seconds to execute.
Choosing a powerful attack may therefore leave the character exposed for longer, adding another consideration to skill selection and turn planning.
Players begin their journey as either a Warrior or Sorcerer before specializing in one of six classes. Powers can be combined through a flexible talent tree, leaving room for different builds based on active abilities, passive bonuses, equipment, and combat synergies.
The sequel also introduces randomized loot and a revised crafting system for players who want to refine their equipment between dungeon expeditions.
Exploration takes place across an overworld filled with cursed dungeons, ruined settlements, sanctuaries, quests, and pieces of lore detailing the approaching end of creation. A free demo is currently available through the game’s Steam page, providing an early sample of its combat and character-building systems ahead of the August 4 release.
