I tried the Instruments of Power demo a while ago and was pretty impressed by the amount of freedom Iron Loop Games gives you to go in and shape the battlefield in your own way with the various types of magic. So I was very happy to hear that the game is actually launching in January 2027.
In this fantasy tactical RPG, you control a sorceress who’s lost her body and now exists as a soul in a sanctuary outside of time. To get her body back, you send out expendable avatars into battle, armed with the spells you create. Having a few of yourself to play would certainly help with the load, though their career paths look pretty much dead in the water.
Spell creation begins with catalysts which you get by taking Primestones. Each catalyst has its own affinity, energy allowance and upgrade tree which in turn dictates how you can combine effects and shape modifiers. Aether allows you to develop your catalysts further, giving you more options for future use.
Those creations also change the battlefield. Primordial magic can set things alight, raise ice walls, turn water into platforms, or block a path with thorns. Ritual magic can then consume existing effects to spawn avatars, drain enemies, or otherwise affect the battle. The tactical value of this is in the link between the actions. One spell can damage an enemy and at the same time be setting up the ground for a second ability.
Summoning has a cost. Each avatar consumes tether (the resource which binds your soul to the world) and that bond also deteriorates as rounds go by. If you exhaust it you come back to the Sanctuary where you can reconfigure, upgrade and test your spells. Your avatar is your vessel for your own crafted magic and can also be sacrificed for a massive burst.
A new demo is due in the coming weeks, while Iron Loop Games have confirmed a launch date of 28th January 2027 for PC via Steam. The game will be priced at $17.99 with a 17% discount in launch week and will be available in English and French.
