Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy

From the very roots of the best CRPG traditions Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy is trying to unite that nostalgic feel of the legendary titles under one roof with fresh mechanics, bound by modern storytelling. It plunges deep into an extremely personal and deep journey around Nova Drakonia, where each decision matters and each stat combination reshapes the game.

An energetically active style of play

All this wraps up into core gameplay involving flexible combat in both turn-based and real-time with pause modes-assuring players can adapt the battles to whatever strategic preference they have. Be it the methodical pace of turn-based tactics or the quicker tempo of RTwP, the game has them covered.

But more than fighting, it's the classless roleplaying system that makes this game great. Traditional archetypes are gone, replaced by stat-driven gameplay. This enables players to craft both the personality of their adventurer and their dialogue options, along with ways they can resolve quests. In addition, there's a nonlinear world full of side quests, hidden treasures, and NPCs who will respond differently based on a player's actual choices. Exploration feels great; areas include everything from serene villages to crypts and otherworldly landscapes.

That's a balance of old and new, classic aesthetic updated to today's standards. High customization-more so than in any previous Elder Scrolls game-also makes sure the look and feel cater to any particular player's preference.

A legendary storytelling

There's some interesting storytelling right at the center of Swordhaven. In a conspiracy that looks to unravel reality altogether, a dying man leaves the player with a mystery. It seems the story balances personal stakes with threats to the world in general, which will help players get attached to the lore. Every single one of the characters you recruit into your party has his own backstory as to why he is there and his motivations, adding onto your journey.

This depth in storytelling will inevitably draw comparisons to one of the most important titles within the genre: Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition. Like Baldur's Gate, Swordhaven is isometric in view and focuses heavy on party management with strategic gameplay. Both games boast incredibly fleshed-out worlds and layered narratives that really benefit from some exploring and engaging.

Where it differs, however, is that Swordhaven is without class and nonlinear, while the classic Dungeons & Dragons setup in Baldur's Gate offered a lot more freedom in terms of developing your characters and quest outcomes, and even the interface felt more modern with dual modes of combat, suitable for newbies and veterans alike.

Review: 8.5/10

Most of the time, Swordhaven: Iron Conspiracy pays great homage, adding something new to its inspirations within the CRPG genre. With its classless roleplaying system, flexible combat, and richly weaved storyline, there is certainly something quite unique here for the lover of narrative-driven RPGs. On the other hand, this early access is still a little buggy in some respects or underdeveloped, and it does somewhat diminish the experience for a gamer.

Pros

• Unique combats with two modes of playing
• Classless roleplaying for unique character builds
• Really engaging story, filled with lore
• Non-linear research with rewarding quests
• Modern yet customizable interface

Cons:

• Complexity may be discouraging for casual players
• Lacks that immediate sheen of a finished product
• Reinvigorates a formula often ruled by tradition within its genre