Even though I’m a fan of the rogue-like genre in general, I’m not a diehard fan of the Rogue Legacy games. I respect them for bringing attention to the genre, but feel there’s better examples out there.
But now, the good folks at Cellar Door Games are trying their hand at something decidedly new, and hopefully great. That game is called Neath, and it’s a rogue-like, turn-based, tactical RPG with much darker themes than those in Rogue Legacy and Rogue Legacy 2.
Here’s some particulars:
Neath is a roguelike tactical RPG set in a decaying world shadowed by an irradiated, inverted tower. Using a fluid turn-based system where the turn order is always shifting, you dictate the actions of both friend and foe alike. As enemies engage you they will freeze your teammates in fear. Disrupt opponents by knocking them away, shove allies far from impending harm, or make the ultimate sacrifice and have someone else take the blow in their stead.
“With deep inspiration from not only video games like Into the Breach, but also tabletop boardgames such as Mansions of Madness, Neath is a game we’ve been wanting to make for years,” said Kenny Lee, Co-Founder and Lead Programmer at Cellar Door Games. “Development has taken us far from our comfort zone, working in an unfamiliar genre with an aesthetic much darker than what we usually do. But we’ve got a lot of new ideas, from ‘engagement locking’ to the ‘attack resolve system’, and we’re excited to see if we can move this burgeoning genre in a whole new direction. PRAISE NEATH!”
Features:
- Control Every “Moment”: A unique “engagement-locking” system grips your teammates in fear when they are targeted by enemies, and you must disrupt your foes to save them. In Neath there are no heroes. Work together to survive, or stand alone and fall.
- Ascend the Inverted Tower: Face your fears as you ascend the ever-changing inverted tower of Neath in a roguelike tactical RPG where every run is unique.
- Defy Fate: Make trapped chests fizzle, barter with the gods, and reshape destiny with the power of Fate’s Die. Encounter special events inspired by classic 90’s dungeon-crawlers that reshapes your party during every run. But beware the consequences when playing games with providence.
- Ever-changing Encounters: Build your party throughout the run to learn new abilities and uncover ancient, powerful relics. Build esoteric synergies that will have you poisoning the air with rotting stench, or striking blows that send enemies hurtling across the room.
- Shape your Settlement: Build up the lowly town of Shale to better prepare you to climb deeper into the depths of the tower. Distribute your serfdom to prioritize skills that adjust your playstyle before every run.
- PRAISE NEATH: The Taboos must be honoured. The Taboo must be obeyed. Tithe the gods; say their name. Laws may change, but the punishment remains the same. PRAISE NEATH.
If you’re ready for Neath, here’s the fun details. The game is slated to come to Steam in 2026, though Cellar Door Games are inviting players to sign up for the closed beta on their Discord. And for those that still aren’t convinced, check out the gloomy trailer below!