Some games use physics for slapstick accidents or environmental puzzles. Helcast builds an entire turn-based combat system around them.
Previously announced as From Hel to Asgard, the project from Swedish developer Ricpau Studios has returned under a new name and with HYPER REAL and 2P Games attached as publishers.
Its unusual mixture of deckbuilding, merge puzzles, and physics-driven attacks is headed to PC in the first quarter of 2027. Before then, its first playable demo is scheduled to appear at gamescom from August 26 to 30, 2026.
A War Between Asgard and the Underworld
Odin has declared war on Helheim, intent on erasing the Underworld. Meanwhile, the dead pouring out of Hel’s domain are preparing to leave Asgard in ruins. Neither side appears particularly interested in moderation.
Caught between the two is Modgunn, guardian of the bridge separating life and death. Her journey begins in the realm of the dead and gradually climbs toward Odin’s doorstep, passing through locations and confronting creatures drawn from Norse mythology. Weapons, spells, and mystical totems form the deck she carries into each run.
The premise gives Ricpau Studios a convenient excuse to dig beyond the most recognizable Norse gods. The Early Access version is planned to contain four realms, while the eventual 1.0 release will continue the ascent far enough for Modgunn to challenge Odin himself.
Throwing Weapons Is the Combat System
Battles take place across arenas filled with moving platforms and growing piles of equipment. Matching weapons must be brought together to create larger, more powerful versions, with every successful merge generating an attack.
Modgunn strikes the enemy positioned directly above the point where a merge occurs. Building an impressive chain in the wrong section of the arena can therefore waste the entire attack.
Weapons can be dropped directly onto the pile, but more ambitious moves involve charging an arcing throw. Mass, velocity, collisions, and rebounds all influence the outcome. A heavy object might shove several pieces aside, while a well-judged ricochet could connect two matching weapons and begin a sequence of additional merges.
That positional rule is the most interesting part of the design for me. Creating the largest possible weapon is not automatically the correct move. You also need to consider where it will land, what it might displace, and whether an enemy is standing in the eventual line of attack.
The turn-based structure leaves room to examine the board, but physics introduces a degree of controlled uncertainty. Every throw changes the pile, potentially opening one route while burying another beneath several layers of equipment.
Classes Change the Value of Every Merge
Modgunn can adopt different classes, each connecting the puzzle system to a distinct combat strategy.
The Shieldmaiden gains armor through merge combos, allowing aggressive chains to double as defensive preparation. Continuing to attack may consequently be the best way to survive an incoming blow.
The Huntress approaches fights from farther away. Her piercing arrows can strike multiple targets and carry magical effects such as Burn, Chill, and Life-Steal. This creates a more status-oriented style in which the order and direction of attacks could become just as important as their raw damage.
The Shieldmaiden changes merges into armor, while the Huntress uses them to distribute enhanced ranged attacks. Ricpau Studios has also announced three additional classes for the Early Access build, although their mechanics have not yet been revealed.
Spells and Totems Can Rearrange the Arena
Weapons are only one part of the deck. Spells and totems enter the same physical space, creating new interactions and giving Modgunn ways to manipulate a difficult board.
The Eagle Totem summons a bird that attacks every enemy when the totem is struck. It remains active afterward, repeating the effect whenever another object hits it. The Oath Ring provides additional damage following each merge for as long as it stays on the field.
Then there is the Pulse Stone, which releases a shockwave and scatters nearby objects. It can expose a weapon trapped at the bottom of the pile, though using it may also dismantle a promising setup elsewhere.
These tools make the arena feel less like a passive container for puzzle pieces. The pile itself becomes a tactical resource that can be preserved, disturbed, or deliberately collapsed. A totem placed in the correct spot might support several turns, while a spell used too early could leave the board harder to control.
A Distinctive Spin on Roguelite Deckbuilding
The upcoming gamescom demo covers the opening realm and introduces the two currently revealed classes. Steam Early Access is scheduled for Q1 2027, bringing four realms, additional classes, new spells, and further boss encounters. The game is being developed by a five-person team based in Gothenburg, with music composed by Cato Hoeben.
Helcast still needs to prove that its physics remain readable once battles become crowded. Unexpected chain reactions can be exciting, but they work best when success and failure both feel connected to a decision the player made.
Even so, the central idea is easy to distinguish from the growing number of roguelite deckbuilders. The puzzle is not a secondary diversion attached to the combat. It decides where attacks land, how weapons evolve, when defensive bonuses trigger, and which parts of the board remain accessible. Below is the announcement trailer.
