Techmash

Tag: #knight

  • A Vow in the Darkness: 1348 Ex Voto Set for March Release

    A Vow in the Darkness: 1348 Ex Voto Set for March Release

    As the Black Death begins its grim march across 14th-century Europe, a new story of honour and sacrifice emerges from the shadows. Italian developer Sedleo, in partnership with publisher Dear Villagers, has officially announced that their cinematic action-adventure title, 1348 Ex Voto, will launch on March 12, 2026.

    The game follows Aeta (voiced by Alby Baldwin), a young noble training as a knight-errant. When a brutal bandit raid ravages her village and leads to the kidnapping of her closest companion, Bianca (voiced by Baldur’s Gate 3 star Jennifer English), Aeta finds only an Ex Voto—a religious votive offering—left behind. Clinging to this symbol, she swears a solemn vow to cross a crumbling Italy to bring Bianca home.

    A Brutal, Historically Plausible Italy

    Unlike many high-fantasy titles, 1348 Ex Voto seeks to ground its narrative in what the developers call “historical plausibility.” The year 1348 serves as a backdrop of absolute chaos, where the plague is a constant, suffocating presence, and rural society is fracturing under the weight of banditry and religious zealotry.

    Players will journey through a meticulously recreated landscape, including:

    • The Southern Apennines: Beautiful but treacherous mountain passes.
    • Tuscan Countryside: Once-golden fields now plagued by conflict.
    • The Ruins of Rome: Remnants of a classical world looming over medieval squalor.

    HEMA-Inspired Combat

    The core of the gameplay is a tactical, skill-based combat system inspired by Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). Moving away from “button-mashing” tropes, Sedleo collaborated with historical consultants and motion-capture actors to ensure every swing of Aeta’s longsword feels weighty and authentic.

    • Two Stances: Players must strategically switch between one-handed and two-handed stances to manage speed and power.
    • Mastery: Hidden “skill books” scattered across the world allow Aeta to unlock new combos and personalise her swordplay.

    Platform and Physical Release

    While originally slated for a wider release, the developers confirmed that the Xbox Series X|S version has been cancelled to allow the 15-person team to focus on the best possible experience for PC and PlayStation 5.

    For collectors, Meridiem Games will release two physical editions for the PS5:

    1. Limited Edition: Includes the game and a physical “Letter from Aeta.”
    2. Golden Edition: Adds a special sleeve and an exclusive art book.

    “This story is about who we are allowed to become when the world falls apart,” says Game Director Tom Oceano. “It is a story of honor in a time when that word was losing its meaning.”

    1348 Ex Voto will be available digitally on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the PlayStation Store for $24.99 on March 12th.

    Find out more here – https://www.1348exvoto.com

    #1348exvoto #Sedleo #DearVillagers #Medieval #History #knight #steam #games #gaming #gamers #videogames

  • Rise as the Unchained Warrior: Diving into Naraka: Bladepoint

    Rise as the Unchained Warrior: Diving into Naraka: Bladepoint

    Tired of the same old “loot and shoot” Battle Royale formula? Prepare to have your expectations shattered. Naraka: Bladepoint is a game that takes the genre to dizzying new heights—literally—by trading firearms for fast-paced, high-flying martial arts combat and an intoxicating Far Eastern aesthetic.

    Launched by 24 Entertainment and now a free-to-play sensation, Naraka: Bladepoint has proven that the last-man-standing format still has worlds of unexplored potential. If you’re looking for a game that rewards skill, finesse, and gravity-defying manoeuvres, this is where you step onto the battlefield.

    The Core: Melee-Focused Mayhem

    What sets Naraka apart immediately is its uncompromising focus on melee combat. Forget long-range sniping; here, every fight is a dance of swords, spears, and mind games. The combat system is deep, dynamic, and incredibly satisfying, drawing comparisons to fighting games and even the demanding parry mechanics of Sekiro or Dark Souls.

    • The Trinity System: Battles revolve around a tense rock-paper-scissors mechanic:
      • Normal Attacks can be countered by…
      • Charged Attacks (known as Focus Attacks), which can be countered by…
      • Parries (or counters), which can be countered by…
      • Dodges or cancelled attacks. Mastering this flow is key to rising through the ranks.
    • Diverse Arsenal: The game features a wide array of magnificent melee weapons—from the swift Katana and Greatsword to the unpredictable Spear and Nunchucks. Each weapon has its own unique moveset and combo potential, offering a truly diverse playstyle. Ranged weapons like bows and muskets exist, but they are generally used to soften up opponents before the inevitable, exhilarating close-quarters clash.

    Unchained Mobility: A World Without Walls

    Naraka’s second defining feature is its unparalleled freedom of movement. This is where the Wuxia (Chinese martial arts fiction) influence truly shines, turning the vast landscapes of Morus Island and Holoroth into your personal playground.

    • The Grappling Hook: Every player spawns with this versatile tool. It’s not just for traversal—it’s a fundamental part of combat. Zip up cliffsides, across buildings, or even directly at an enemy for a surprise attack!
    • Parkour Power: Wall-running, climbing any vertical surface, and mid-air dashing are all seamless parts of the experience. The verticality of the maps is a crucial tactical element, allowing for quick escapes and devastating vertical assaults.

    Choose Your Hero: Unique Abilities for Every Playstyle

    Unlike traditional BRs, where everyone is a blank slate, Naraka offers a roster of legendary heroes, each with unique skills and an Ultimate ability.

    Whether you prefer the stealth and teleportation of the assassin Matari, the tank-like transformation of the monk Tianhai into a colossal Vajra warrior, or the crowd-controlling fire of Tarka Ji, you can find a hero that complements your preferred combat style. This adds a layer of team strategy (especially in the Trios mode) reminiscent of games like Apex Legends, making coordinated ability use vital for securing victory.

    The Verdict: Is Naraka: Bladepoint for You?

    If the idea of a 60-player Battle Royale where you’re grappling across rooftops before dropping down to clash swords in an intense, skill-based duel sounds appealing, you need to jump into Naraka: Bladepoint.

    • Pros: Deep and satisfying melee combat, exhilarating mobility, stunning Far Eastern aesthetic, and a diverse hero roster.
    • A Word of Warning: The game has a notoriously high skill ceiling. New players will likely face a steep learning curve against veterans who have mastered the parry timing and complex combos. Stick with it, however, and the rewards are well worth the initial struggle.

    It’s a truly unique, fast-paced, and addictive experience that breathes new life into the Battle Royale genre. The fight for the Mask of Immortality awaits!

    Have you jumped into the battle for Morus Island yet? Which hero is your main, and what’s your favourite weapon to wield? Let me know in the comments!

    Naraka: Bladepoint – https://www.narakathegame.com/

    #NarakaBladepoint #Naraka #Bladepoint #NetEaseGames #knight #XunhuanLi #FlyingDagger #martialarts #battleroyale #games #gaming #gamers #videogames