NoblesseOblige
Banned
Developer: Crate Entertainment
Platform: Microsoft Windows
Genre: Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Number of Players: 1-4
Release Date: February 25th, 2016
How to Buy: Developer Website (steam key) | Steam | GOG
Useful Links
Official Site | Developer Site | Official Forum | Character Planner | Checklist | Item Database | Game Wiki | Subreddit | Latest Grim Misadventure | Build Compendium
___________________________________________________________________
Grim Dawn is developed and published by independent studio Crate Entertainment, a company formed of previous Iron Lore Entertainment employees who are most well known for their work in developing Titan Quest. Similarly to Titan Quest, Grim Dawn is an entry into the Action Role-Playing Game genre, set in a darker world based on the Victorian era.
Grim Dawn began development early 2010 after acquisition of the Titan Quest engine. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign development proceeded slowly, but steadily, eventually making it onto Steam Early Access in 2013. Fans have enjoyed seeing the progress since with each new build release. February 25th, 2016 marks the game’s official release.
You find yourself in the war-torn world of Cairn, home to a once proud empire which now lays in ruin caught between two factions of otherworldly creatures that threaten humanity’s extinction. One sees humans as a mere resource to twist and degrade into abominations through sick experimentation. The other seeks to prevent that through the simple destruction of as many human lives as possible. The cataclysm between these two powerful foes has come to be known as the ‘Grim Dawn’ among several remaining denizens who fight and struggle to survive.
One survivor is you, a “Taken”, a human possessed by ethereal spirits and sentenced to hang. Lucky for you they fled your body moments before life leaves completely and you find yourself in Devil’s Crossings, a former prison turned refuge for other survivors. The fleeing spirit didn’t take with it all of its influence however, its former host tinged with powers unknown to most of man. To some this leaves you blessed, but to many more you are cursed, an aura of fear and understandable distrust surrounding you. It is up to you to regain that trust, and to cultivate your powers for your own survival.
Dual Class System allows the player to combine two of six distinct character classes to fit their playstyle. Each comes with 26 unique skills, both passive and active, as well as modifiers to several for further customization. Additional classes are to be added in future expansions.
Devotion allows a player to pray at a shrine, granting them further customization by aligning a character with the very heavens encircling the world. Each star grants the player a benefit, ranging from a simple increase of health, to unique new skills that may process with an attack, as well as many more. Completing entire constellations will allow a character to unlock more powerful ones, gaining their favor.
Factions of survivors are present in the world, many who competing with one another. Because of this a character will sometimes find themselves locked in a tough decision between two opponent groups, with no opportunity to appeal to both. Survival requires you to either choose a side, or risk offending both. Note however that while your choice will increase your reputation with one group, it will impact negatively on the other, resulting in them attacking you on sight.
Loot is ever-present as one may expect in such a world. At the start of the character’s journey they will find leftover junk and scrap fashioned into improvised weapons. However as they progress deeper into the maelstrom more magical and powerful weapons, armors, and trinkets are to be found. Items of legends, or armor sets belonging to those who could only be described as gods wait for those brave enough to seek them.
Arcanist - To Arcanists, the manifestation of magic is not some unexplainable mystery or the will of the gods, but a science meant to be unraveled. This pursuit of knowledge drives all Arcanists, always eager to discover a new technique to make their namesake. Arcanists warp Aetherial and elemental energy to their will, creating devastating demonstrations of power that rival small armies. However, such raw force leaves little in terms of defense.
Demolitionist - Pyrotechnic masters of the imperial army; Demolitionists are part engineer; part sorcerer. They were used to break enemy ranks and breach fortifications with their devastating array of explosives and destructive magic. They usually prefer to fight at range; engaging enemies with guns, traps and explosives but they can also be proficient with melee weapons.
Nightblade - Nightblades were clandestine warriors that sold their services to the great houses of the empire. Nightblades excel with all manner of martial weapons but are most feared for the deadly blade magic that is the secret of their trade. Nightblades are not suited to go toe to toe with tougher enemies and rely on illusion to close for quick, devastating attacks or fight from a distance with phantasmal blades.
Occultist - Once hunted by imperial forces in an effort to control eldritch power, the Occultist's craft focuses heavily on summoning and borrowed powers granted by the three witch gods Bysmiel, Solael and Dreeg. Their diverse arts include abhorrent curses and spells that inflict damage with poison, acid, and entropic energy. Excelling with neither sword nor gun, they can use either to augment their offense.
Shaman - Hailing from the untamed northlands, Shamans were the spiritual leaders and guardians of their people. Claiming an astounding attunement to the wilds and their patron deity Mogdrogen, Shamans are capable of wielding the terrible forces of nature against their foes or even calling upon savage beasts to come to their aid. Shamans excel in the use of brutal two-handed melee weapons, but can easily adapt to other tools of war when conjuring their primal powers.
Soldier - Soldiers of the imperial army were trained to survive in the most hellish conditions and hold the line against the deadliest enemies of the empire. Soldiers prefer the use of close combat weaponry, such as a sword and shield, but can also prove formidable with firearms. What a Soldier may lack in outright damage output is made up for in fortitude and leadership.
More classes are to be added in future expansions.
___________________________________________________________________
Some Screenshot (Note: I don't have the greatest hardware so a few settings are turned down. I will replace these with better ones in the future. Animated gifs are not mine.)
___________________________________________________________________
I will be updating this post more in the future. It is my first OT, so please feel free to PM or post if you would like to see more information in it.
