Maladum: The Forbidden Creed Unveils Dark Magic, New Adversaries, and Enhanced Gameplay

Unleash Forbidden Power: Maladum's World Expands with Dark Arts and Epic Beasts

Unveiling the Latest Chapter: 'The Forbidden Creed' Pre-orders and Release

Battle Systems is opening pre-orders for 'Maladum: The Forbidden Creed' on August 7, with a full release scheduled for September 8. This marks the first opportunity for players who missed the successful 2023 Kickstarter campaign to immerse themselves in the game's evolving narrative and expanded mechanics. Colin Young, the visionary behind Battle Systems, emphasizes the importance of players mastering the core game before delving into expansions, ensuring a richer and less overwhelming experience.

Journey into a Sci-Fi Fantasy Realm: The Unique Setting of Maladum

'Maladum' distinguishes itself within the dungeon crawler genre by setting its adventures in the distant future of Battle Systems' 'Core Space' universe. This unique premise blends fantasy elements with nanite technology and alien species, creating a compelling sci-fi fantasy backdrop. Players command a group of adventurers navigating intricate 3D environments, engaging in combat, seeking valuable loot, accomplishing missions, and returning safely to base camp. The game offers character progression across scenarios and the flexibility to pursue either the main narrative campaign or select individual encounters.

Embracing the Perilous Power: Dark Magic and New Companions

The inherent risks of harnessing Maladum's magic are heightened in 'The Forbidden Creed' with the introduction of dark magic. While offering potent effects, this new system comes with the severe consequence of potential character corruption, leading to loss of control. Furthermore, players will encounter new companion options, each presenting a strategic dilemma with unique benefits and drawbacks. An example given is a frog-like creature offering increased inventory space, but demanding magical items as sustenance, randomly consuming player items if not fed.

Encountering the Alien Horde: The Urmek Species and Their Monstrous Allies

Following 'The Forbidden Creed', Battle Systems plans a direct-to-retail expansion introducing the Urmek, a shamanic alien species meticulously designed by Young to deviate from typical fantasy monster tropes. The Urmek forces include swift and aggressive drones equipped with arm-mounted weapons, and the formidable Brutecks, massive juggernauts wreaking havoc on the battlefield. Players will also face Urmeck riding ferocious, hairless beasts called Dreck, while their shaman leaders chemically enhance their kin and manipulate nature, summoning terrifying plant abominations.

Transforming Gameplay: Player Mounts and Diverse Adventurers

The upcoming expansion also introduces mounts for players, enabling more dynamic combat on larger maps. These mounts are far from ordinary, featuring unique creatures like a quadripedal avian and a four-eyed bison-like beast with massive tusks, intentionally designed to stand apart from conventional fantasy steeds. Additionally, the expansion brings four new, eccentric adventurers to the fore: Aurora Mundsdotir, a young blacksmith wielding superheated hammers; Rex Nairn, a demolitions expert; and T'or Raan, a four-armed marksman prone to berserker rages in close quarters.

Enhancing Accessibility: UI Revamp and Terrain Crafting

Battle Systems is committed to improving player accessibility by overhauling the game's user interface and developing comprehensive online tutorials for gameplay and terrain construction. Their standalone terrain sets, designed for building diverse environments like crypts, mines, and sewers, are fully compatible with 'Dungeons & Dragons' and other grid-based tabletop RPGs. The next crowdfunding initiative will focus on a Hyberian terrain set, featuring a village for metal crafting with new structures like a forge and tavern. Young emphasizes the transformative power of immersive terrain, highlighting its ability to elevate the tabletop gaming experience.