In a bold and innovative take on the RPG genre, dotMake Studios has announced the Early Access release date for their upcoming title, Splintered. This indie RPG blends classic turn-based combat with a unique randomization mechanic, where each victory against the villain reshapes the world, keeping players on their toes as they navigate ever-changing landscapes, enemies, and challenges.
At its core, Splintered presents players with a familiar yet compelling narrative: the king has been slain, the kingdom’s sacred artifact has been stolen, and the protagonist—heir to the title of “Defender of the Realm”—must embark on a quest for justice. However, what starts as a traditional RPG experience quickly spirals into an unpredictable adventure. Each time the player achieves victory, the villain responds by randomizing the entire world, including its overworld, items, and enemies.
Splintered features a 1v1 turn-based combat system reminiscent of Dragon Quest 1, but with several enhancements. Players can customize their hero using an equipment-based class system, allowing them to level up gear to unlock class abilities and shape their playstyle. The game also introduces a Passive Talent System, rewarding players for hunting monsters with special abilities that further enhance their builds.
One of the most defining aspects of the game is its Ever-Evolving Randomizer. While the initial chapters present a structured RPG experience, completing Chapter 2 unlocks the ability to customize the randomizer, allowing players to mix and match randomized features to create a unique and replayable adventure.
With 8-bit pixel graphics and nostalgic audio, Splintered captures the essence of classic RPGs while adding modern innovations to keep players engaged. The story unfolds in layers, starting with a straightforward revenge quest but evolving into a tale filled with mystery, secrets, and hidden truths. The game also offers an in-game help system, allowing players to communicate telepathically with their father for guidance, though exploration and NPC interactions provide ample hints for those who prefer to forge their own path.
Splintered is expected to be released on March 21, 2025 on PC via Steam Early Access. Phase is expected to last between 3 to 6 months, with the full release promising more class archetypes, a secret final ending, and game-changing evolution modes. Below is an overview and release date trailer.
A unique RPG where the villain randomizes the world with each defeat.
Start with a classic RPG experience! The enemy has attacked, your king is dead, and the sacred artifact of your kingdom has been stolen. It’s up to you, the descendant of a legendary knight, to avenge your king and restore your kingdom’s artifact to its rightful place. But victory is only the beginning!
Upon completing your quest, the villain sends the world into chaos, Splintering (randomizing) your homeworld and rolling back time. It’s up to you to unravel these Splintered worlds. Items, towns, and equipment has all been misplaced and your enemies share traits and abilities in unpredictable ways. Complete these Splintered worlds to unlock new challenges, classes, and game modes while getting one step closer to the final showdown!
Features:
- Classic turn based combat. Use attacks, spells, and items to overcome your foes.
- Level up equipment to unlock a multitude of powerful abilities to define your playstyle
- Mix and match equipment from 3 class archetypes (Paladin, Thief, Mage) with more to come!
- Encounter dozens of enemies that, when randomized, shuffle their traits and abilities to form new, unpredictable, challenges.
- Hunt enemies to unlock specialized passive talents and take your power to new heights.
- Adapt to the randomized world. Improvise, master new playstyles, and counter deadly enemy combinations to overcome the Splintering.
- Endless randomized seeds.
- Conquer challenges to unlock new game modes that drastically alter the game such as Roguelike Mode, Clairvoyance Mode, Chaos Mode, and more!
- Level up to learn 9 core spells that can be further enhanced by equipment in powerful ways!
- 8-bit retro styled art and audio for a classic experience (that’s MOSTLY faithful to the era).
- Pick and choose your favorite game modes and randomized settings to create your own flavor of endless fun.
- Unravel a story that begins as a classic tale of treachery and unfolds into one of mystery, secrets, and truths.
- Seamless in-game help feature. Telepathically communicate with your father for guidance if you get lost. (Note: Help feature is completely optional. Exploring and talking to NPCs will provide plenty of hints to complete the game without help.)
