Shadows: Awakening - sequel to Heretic Kingdoms

[4249]

https://www.kalypsomedia.com/us/shadows-awakening




https://af.gog.com/game/shadows_awakening?as=1649904300

Spoiler

Huh, so the second part is coming out with a re-release. Owners of the first part will get the re-release for free too.

http://steamcommunity.com/games/585450/announcements/detail/2245462127614861216

Spoiler

Return to the Heretic Kingdoms! Shadows: Awakening announced!
17 AUGUST, 2017 - UNERDE


New tactical action RPG coming to PC, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One, set for full debut at Gamescom 2017

Following on from the teaser released last week, Kalypso Media is excited to announce Shadows: Awakening, a new action RPG with real-time tactical combat that heralds the return of the Heretic Kingdoms saga. In this dark fantasy adventure, players will assume control of the Devourer – a feared demon summoned from the world of Shadow that possesses the ability to absorb the memories and personalities of acquired souls and materialize them as their puppets in the world of mortals. By combining the powers and abilities of these vanquished warriors, players will embark on a vast 40+ hour adventure across two very different worlds, engaging in action-packed real-time tactical combat, as well as tackling challenging puzzles, collecting valuable loot and equipment, and completing a wide variety of quests. But be warned – consuming so many powerful souls has a cost – such strong personalities cannot easily be supressed, and players will have to manage the relationships with the voices in their head as they struggle to maintain their identity.

Shadows: Awakening heralds the continuation of the Heretic Kingdoms saga, last seen in Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms. Long-time fans and legacy players of the PC version will remember that the long-awaited ‘Book 2’ sequel never materialized. Kalypso Media and Games Farm are therefore excited to reveal that Shadows: Awakening will not only bring the story of ‘Book 2’ to life, but will also combine it with the original storyline, making Shadows: Awakening not a sequel, but a full and completed experience; improved and re-worked to take full advantage of today’s console and PC technology. Additionally, owners of the original Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms will no doubt remember that they were promised ‘Book 2’ free of charge. Kalypso Media and Games Farm are happy to confirm that they will uphold their promise to reward these long-time fans – with all owners of the Steam and GOG versions of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms eligible to receive Shadows: Awakening as an update to their existing game, completely free of charge.

To celebrate the announcement of Shadows: Awakening, Kalypso Media is pleased to share a full gameplay trailer to give players an idea of what awaits them in the shadows…

YouTube™ Video: Shadows: Awakening Announcement Trailer (EU)
Views: 24,995
Check Out Shadows: Awakening on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/585450 Shadows: Awakening is a unique, isometric single-player RPG with real-time tactical combat.


About Shadows: Awakening
Shadows: Awakening is the new adventure in the Heretic Kingdoms saga. After the members of the secret council known as the Penta Nera are assassinated, their souls are consumed by the Devourers – evil demons which possess the ability to absorb the memories and personalities of the souls they acquire and materialize them as their puppets. Re-emerging into the mortal realm once again, the demonic Penta Nera continue their quest for power and immortality, but at what cost?

Shadows: Awakening is a unique, isometric single-player action RPG with real-time tactical combat. You take control of a demon summoned from the Shadow Realm – the Devourer – to consume the souls of long-dead heroes and embark on an epic adventure with challenging gameplay, a gripping storyline and enchanting graphics. Do you have the focus and wits to master the world of the Heretic Kingdoms? Gather your party, control powerful heroes and use their skills to your advantage. But who is in charge… the demon, or the souls that it has devoured? It's up to you to either thwart a major threat and save the world, or to plunge it into complete disaster…

Features

• Extensive Gameplay – 40+ hours for a single playthrough, but with substantial options for replayability.
  
• Two Worlds – A parallel universe inhabited by ghosts and spirits; seamlessly switch between the Shadow Realm and the mortal plane and witness a gripping storyline in a world full of myths, destinies and legendary creatures.
  
• Real-Time Tactical Combat – Combine the skills of your various characters to maximize the effects of your devastating skills and spells.
  
• Unique Party System – multiple characters in one demon, each retaining their own personalities. Internal dialogues, rivalries and communication between the characters enriches the gameplay experience and narrative.
  
• A plethora of different characters – Choose from 3 heroes, each with their own stories, personal quests and dialogues. Consume the souls of 15 playable characters, each with their own unique skillsets, like Kalig the Bandit King and Evia, Daughter of Fire.
  
• Synergy System – The complex talent system intuitively combines skills from your characters to create a variety of new gameplay possibilities.
  
• Challenging Puzzles – Challenging puzzles are scattered throughout the game, from the rustic towns to the deepest dungeons.
  
• Crafting and Looting System – Expanded crafting and looting system will let you use rewards to configure the ultimate adventurer.
  
• Fully Voiced – All dialogues are fully narrated, including actors like Tom Baker.

Shadows: Awakening is currently scheduled for a 2018 release on Windows PC, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One.

 

[fantadomat]

Ok does anyone here have more info on this? I just saw it on gog and decided to make a thread. It seems that is something like a sequel(third game?) to KULT Heretic kingdoms,an old not very well known rpg with interesting and unique itemisation/skill system.
Here is a ling to the KULT game if anyone is interested in checking it out:
https://af.gog.com/game/heretic_kingdoms_the_inquisition?as=1649904300


Here is more about the game:

About: “An ancient proverb warns: ‘Never trust a demon, for betrayal is their very blood’. Yet the Sura, the great ogres of the Wastes, have a different saying: ‘A demon honours its pact’. Perhaps when the race of men looks into the eyes of hell, they see their own darkness reflected…” – Carissa Cantrecht

Shadows: Awakening is the new adventure in the Heretic Kingdoms saga. After the members of the secret council known as the Penta Nera are assassinated, their souls are consumed by the Devourers – evil demons which possess the ability to absorb the memories and personalities of the souls they acquire and materialize them as their puppets. Re-emerging into the mortal realm once again, the demonic Penta Nera continue their quest for power and immortality, but at what cost? Shadows: Awakening is a unique, isometric single-player RPG with real-time tactical combat. You take control of a demon summoned from the Shadow Realm – the Devourer – to consume the souls of long-dead heroes and embark on an epic adventure with challenging gameplay, a gripping storyline and enchanting graphics. Do you have the focus and wits to master the world of the Heretic Kingdoms? Gather your party, control powerful heroes and use their skills to your advantage. But who is in charge… the demon, or the souls that it has devoured? It's up to you to either thwart a major threat and save the world, or to plunge it into complete disaster…

Features

• A Tale of Two Worlds – In a parallel universe inhabited by demons and monsters; seamlessly switch between the Shadow Realm and the mortal plane and witness a gripping storyline in a world full of myths, destinies and legendary creatures.
• Unique Party System – multiple characters in one demon, each retaining their own personalities with internal dialogues, rivalries and communication between the characters.
• Wide variety of Skills and Characters – Choose from 3 heroes, each with their own personal storylines, quests and dialogues. Consume the souls of 14 playable characters, each with their own unique skillsets, like Kalig the Bandit King and Evia, Daughter of Fire.
• Tactical Real-Time Combat – Combine the skills of your various characters to maximize the effects of your devastating skills and spells.
• Extensive Gameplay – 20+ hours for a single playthrough, but with substantial options for replayability which accumulate to 60+ hours for the full experience.
• Challenging Puzzles – Complex puzzles are scattered throughout the game, and will take you through a vibrant set of locations, from rustic towns to the deepest and darkest of dungeons.
• Crafting and Looting System – Expanded crafting and looting system will let you use rewards to configure the ultimate adventurer.
• Fully Voiced – All dialogues are fully narrated, including actors like Tom Baker.

Source/gog page:
https://af.gog.com/game/shadows_awakening?as=1649904300

It seems promising to be a decent hack and slash game. If it have anything like the first game's itemisation system i will try it out.

 

[Ivan]

good lookin' good looking

 

[abnaxus]

The sequel(s) don't use the attunement system, I liked how massively OP main character was at the end of Kult with right constellation of attunements. Everything died by just glancing at it.

Shadows work differently. There aren't attunement mechanics, but we brought different skill system for Shadows.

The rest should be better I believe - a lot of things we were not able to do right in Kult, we did right in Shadows. There are still ways to improve the gameplay, but we are working on it...

https://steamcommunity.com/app/256030/discussions/0/412448792354130116/

when you own Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms you receive Shadows: Awakening for free.
Additionally be aware that Shadows: Awakening is not just Book II, but is actually Book I and II in a whole new engine. So it is a whole new game made by GamesFarm.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/256030/discussions/0/3211505894124164263/

 

[Life of the Party]

I took it as something akin to an expansion for Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms. It reminded me of The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing.

A sequel, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II, was released on 22 May 2014. A second sequel, The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing III, was released on 22 May 2015. A remastered version including all three games was released as one big game on November 6, 2015, called The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: Final Cut.

I'm not really sure I'd call these sequels.

 

[I'm Big Into Anal]

im sorry OP but you are a goddamn LIAR

here is a ling...

 

[norolim]

This is not a sequel. It's a complete release of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms (2014) with additional content. Heretic Kingdoms was just part 1 of the sequel and the original plan was to release part 2 as a free expansion. This never happened, because the publisher, bitcomposer went bankrupt and the franchise was acquired by Kalypso Media. The new owners decided to go ahead with part 2. It was developed by the original studio and everyone owning Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms should already have it in their GOG or Steam library.

 

[fantadomat]

Poos ,care to elaborate?

 

[Arkast]

I found the beta for this in my Steam library and decided to try it for an hour or so. Seems highly console-ized similar to what the Sacred and Dungeon Siege franchises turned into.

 

[fantadomat]

I found the beta for this in my Steam library and decided to try it for an hour or so. Seems highly console-ized similar to what the Sacred and Dungeon Siege franchises turned into.

Does it have side missions and decent writing?

 

[I'm Big Into Anal]

Ok does anyone here have more info on this? I just saw it on gog and decided to make a thread. It seems that is something like a sequel(third game?) to KULT Heretic kingdoms,an old not very well known rpg with interesting and unique itemisation/skill system.
Here is a ling to the KULT game if anyone is interested in checking it out:
https://af.gog.com/game/heretic_kingdoms_the_inquisition?as=1649904300

fantadomat

 

[fantadomat]

Poos ,you are too anal about such stupid shit mate.

 

[I'm Big Into Anal]

Poos ,you are too anal about such stupid shit mate.

in my defence i was high

 

[Arkast]

I found the beta for this in my Steam library and decided to try it for an hour or so. Seems highly console-ized similar to what the Sacred and Dungeon Siege franchises turned into.

Does it have side missions and decent writing?

I loaded it up again. Yes, there are side missions as filler, and I guess the writing's passable (I only played through the tutorial area and into the first town area.) But it *is* a console game, designed to be played with a controller. You have three active abilities per character that you can choose to assign to the three buttons (the other's the menu), and use the d-pad to switch between your four possible characters/souls.

Gameplay is your standard Diablo-lite (the game's style pulls heavily from Diablo III) and you need to clear each area at least twice as you switch between the spirit and mortal realms (there are different enemies in both) to solve puzzles and gather information. And there's vases and stuff to break for gear.

I'll be giving this one a hard pass, even when it's eventually reduced to $3.74.

 

[fantadomat]

I found the beta for this in my Steam library and decided to try it for an hour or so. Seems highly console-ized similar to what the Sacred and Dungeon Siege franchises turned into.

Does it have side missions and decent writing?

I loaded it up again. Yes, there are side missions as filler, and I guess the writing's passable (I only played through the tutorial area and into the first town area.) But it *is* a console game, designed to be played with a controller. You have three active abilities per character that you can choose to assign to the three buttons (the other's the menu), and use the d-pad to switch between your four possible characters/souls.

Gameplay is your standard Diablo-lite (the game's style pulls heavily from Diablo III) and you need to clear each area at least twice as you switch between the spirit and mortal realms (there are different enemies in both) to solve puzzles and gather information. And there's vases and stuff to break for gear.

I'll be giving this one a hard pass, even when it's eventually reduced to $3.74.

Mate,i scrapping the barrel this days. I am even replaying Dungeon Siege 3...

 

[Arkast]

Mate,i scrapping the barrel this days. I am even replaying Dungeon Siege 3...

Well if you enjoyed the previous games in the series, I'm sure this one would be okay too. The base gameplay didn't change *that* much.

 

[Sykar]

This is not a sequel. It's a complete release of Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms (2014) with additional content. Heretic Kingdoms was just part 1 of the sequel and the original plan was to release part 2 as a free expansion. This never happened, because the publisher, bitcomposer went bankrupt and the franchise was acquired by Kalypso Media. The new owners decided to go ahead with part 2. It was developed by the original studio and everyone owning Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms should already have it in their GOG or Steam library.

Yeah I bought it when it was on a summer sale for like 5 or 10 bucks. Was a fun shallow romp but nothing more but it was over way too fast.

 

[Infinitron]

https://af.gog.com/game/shadows_awakening?as=1649904300

 

[Martyr]

downloading right now, just to see if the controls have gotten better. Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms had the worst controls I've ever experienced in any isometric game.
oh, and awesome move of the devs to give Shadows: Awakening to the owners of S: HK for free !

 

[Sykar]

Wait what? I can get it for free? Got to try it to DL it over the weekend.

 

[Martyr]

Wait what? I can get it for free? Got to try it to DL it over the weekend.

yes. seems like all the steam-users got Shadows Awakening for free, if they've bought Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms.
but some people on the gog-forum keep saying that you must have bought S:HK before july 2017 to get S:A for free.

 

[Sykar]

I bought it in 2015 according to Steam. It is already in my library. Neat.

 

[Baron Dupek]

downloading right now, just to see if the controls have gotten better. Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms had the worst controls I've ever experienced in any isometric game.
oh, and awesome move of the devs to give Shadows: Awakening to the owners of S: HK for free !

Control is worse than Viking - Wolves of Midgard? I was amazed (in negative way) how you can fuck up something basic like control scheme in action RPG.

 

[Martyr]

Control is worse than Viking - Wolves of Midgard? I was amazed (in negative way) how you can fuck up something basic like control scheme in action RPG.

I also found Vikings controls to be amazingly bad, but imo Shadows' controls were worse.
download is finished, installing now. I'll report back, if the controls have been upgraded.

edit -
controls are so much better now !!
I've only played ~ 10 minutes so I don't know if the game is good but I guess it could be an enjoyable time sink.

 

[Jinn]

This actually looks pretty interesting. Shadows Awakening is basically the first and second part rolled into one improved package, right? Overall, an unfortunate time for them release it seems. I feel like it's going to get majorly overlooked.

Look forward to hearing some impressions.