Alkahest: Everything We Know

It’s a wonder how we never got our hands on Dark Messiah of Might & Magic 2. The first iteration was such a blast, it feels like a lost opportunity that a sequel didn’t grace our doorsteps. But hey, developer Push On has something to say about that, presenting their upcoming game Alkahest as a “spiritual successor” to Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. But will the new game match the high bar Dark Messiah set? Is it worth wishlisting? Here’s everything we know about Alkahest to help you decide. 

What is Alkahest?

Alkahest is an upcoming first-person fantasy action-adventure RPG game. It’s sparked a keen interest in the gaming world, thanks to a jaw dropping announcement trailer that looks almost too good to be true. Many gamers are excited to get their hands on the title when it drops. But others are still on the fence about whether the final game will meet the high expectations the trailer has set.

Story

The story will take place in a grimdark, medieval kingdom called Kadanor. As Alkahest’s Steam store page describes, the setting will feature locations that mirror the real world. At the heart of the storyline will be a journey to make a name for your family. See, Kadanor is steeped in good old feudal turmoil. Amid the chaos, three main houses strive to rule over the world. 

As the youngest son of a petty lord, your status in the kingdom is low. However, you can build a name for yourself by pouring sweat and blood into a worthy cause. So you set off to prove your worth, aiming to put an end to an unusual goblin raid on the kingdom’s border. 

What starts as a simple journey quickly sprouts wings to pack a fun-filled adventure for the books. You’ll explore different environments, from castles to forests to villages and many more realistic settings. All along, you’ll be running into exciting residents who open up your journey to more interesting expeditions, some of which will require you to make tough decisions.

Gameplay

Get ready to switch between satisfying melee combat and navigating highly interactive environments. When you're not fighting for your life or picking up objects to use as weapons, you’ll be learning the art of alchemy. Check out the key features you can expect in the final game below.

Key Features

• Dynamic combat that makes use of an interactive environment – Alkahest plans to push players to come up with devastating combos that not only use the weapons at your disposal but the environment too. You’ll pick up objects in the environment and throw them at enemies, from trees to barrels. While traditional weapons like daggers will come in handy, even less common ones like a rope can be a powerful tool in the right hands. Meanwhile, you’ll engage in melee combat, with the option to kick enemies against walls or throw them off a cliff. Moreover, you can set fire on faraway enemies for crowd control. All along, you’ll be tinkering around with fast-paced combat and richly interactive environments to decimate enemies where they stand. 
• Master alchemy – You can also use alchemy to destroy enemies, brewing different potions with varying effects. If you’re unsure which potions to use, you can browse through recipes to brew with the deadliest potions. Alternatively, you can experiment with gathered ingredients to discover more powerful potions. Once brewed, potions can be used as a throwable weapon. You can smear it on your sword to increase its damage output. Alternatively, you can stuff it in an enemy’s pocket and run away or even ingest it to unlock new abilities.
• Immersion – Push On says they are gamers themselves and as such, they have decided to forego vast maps with filler content. Instead, you’ll enjoy a highly interactive world with semi open-world locations. Along your journey, you’ll discover secrets and bathe in adventure. 

Development

Push On is currently working on developing the upcoming game. As for the publisher, they remain unconfirmed, with Steam indicating the publisher is “To Be Announced.” The studio has already received skepticism after their show-stopping trailer release that looked a little “too good to be true.” Moreover, they claim that Alkahest will draw inspiration from Dishonored, Dark Messiah of Might & Magic, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and other genre-defining games. 

It makes sense that gamers will be on high alert, with many hoping that the final game does indeed live up to the high expectations set by the trailer and the game’s inspirations. Push On revealed on Discord that the trailer “conveys the feeling of the game well,” but also added that “some of the camera angles and animations have been crafted specifically for the trailer, for the sake of spectacle.” It’s not unusual for studios to hype up a game. The question is, will the final game closely resemble what has been promised?

Trailer

If you haven’t already, head on over to YouTube to check out the official Alkahest announcement trailer. It looks pretty good, no doubt. But will the final game match the high expectations the video sets? There’s a pretty high potential here for a modern RPG as fantastic as Skyrim. It could even be a placeholder before Elder Scrolls 6 arrives. Apparently, the enemies will be dynamic, too, with the ability to flee, regroup, and ambush you, making the actual gameplay footage more enticing to look forward to.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

Unfortunately, we don’t have a confirmed release date yet. There being an Alkahest Steam Store page out already confirms the upcoming game will be coming to PC platforms. As for the editions, they remain under wraps for now. Still, feel free to join the official Discord channel here to keep track of new updates. You can also add the game to your Steam wishlist here. Better yet, stick with us right here on gaming.net for news updates on all things gaming.

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of Alkahest when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.