Psychic Software has announced The Lich Wars, a stand-alone Gothic RPG set before the events of its previous game, The Necromancer’s Tale. The game is in development for PC via Steam, and a reveal trailer is now available to watch.
You play as a musketeer over a career of nearly 30 years, spanning two wars of the undead. The story takes place in the alt-history kingdom of Rulsthen, near Venice, where the studio says necromancy slowly poisons the minds of its people. The game is built as branching interactive fiction with RPG skills.
According to the studio, the narrative runs to an estimated 300,000 words of hand-written text. Skill checks draw on nine RPG skills, and combat covers duels, naval clashes and larger battlefield engagements, driven by randomised critical-hit tables.
The Lich Wars does not require any knowledge of The Necromancer’s Tale, and the two games can be played in either order. Returning players will meet familiar characters earlier in their lives. The studio describes the presentation as a 3D book for the branching narrative, with tabletop miniatures for key scenes, hundreds of original illustrations and partial voice acting.
Lead developer and narrative lead Sam Redfern said the game is a Gothic tale about a society haunted by its past, in which characters live with what they did in the war. The studio has also said the game is co-funded by the Creative Media Programme of the European Union.
The Lich Wars can be wishlisted on Steam now. No release date has been announced.
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