Independent developer Save Sloth Studios, in collaboration with roguelike deckbuilder enthusiasts Yogscast Games, has unveiled their latest creation: The Royal Writ. This inventive lane-based card game with permadeath mechanics promises to captivate players with its unique blend of strategy and chaos.
A Kingdom’s Call to Arms
In The Royal Writ, sometimes a kingdom’s problems can be solved with simple communication. His illustrious highness sends out letters summoning troublemakers to his throne room. If they’re reluctant to accept the invitation, a little siege never hurt anybody! Carefully enlist and place your peculiar creatures on the battlefield, watching them march to their eternal death or glory as they strive to conquer the enemy.
Strategic Gameplay with High Stakes
Deal damage to the enemy turn by turn, leveraging each card’s power or multiplication modifiers to reduce your target’s health to zero. Navigate pitfalls and difficult terrain by using aquatic creatures in water-logged areas or flying creatures to bypass obstacles. Upgrade and enhance your soldier cards between battles through multiple mini-games, progressing across procedurally-generated maps and battlefields in a quest to defeat and capture the final boss.
Ultimate Jeopardy
The twist in The Royal Writ comes from the ultimate jeopardy: if the enemy base has health remaining when a card reaches it, that card is permanently destroyed and removed from your deck. Every decision is fraught with danger, making strategic planning crucial. Sacrificing cards for the greater good creates emergent sub-stories and memorable runs, whether you achieve victory through clever synergies or fail miserably due to a miscalculation.
Visual and Aural Delight
The Royal Writ combines cute picture-book visuals with the grotesque and absurd humor of a medieval world engulfed in constant war and deceit. “We only sign games we love,” says Simon Byron, Managing Director of Yogscast Games. “The entire team fell fast and hard for The Royal Writ when we first saw it. It’s a brilliant, fun, clever take on the genre, full of surprise and jeopardy.”
From Ludum Dare to Full Development
Originally conceived as an entry for Ludum Dare 55, The Royal Writ moved into full development following hugely positive feedback. “Our original idea was extremely simple, but the fun kicked in as soon as we put down the first rabbit soldier on the battlefield,” says Kornél Pittmann, co-director of Save Sloth Studios. “Now, it has grown into something filled with tons of unique mechanics, characters, and visuals.”
Release and Early Access
The Royal Writ will be releasing later this year, with a playable demo available soon. For exclusive early access to Playtests, please join the Discord and wishlist on Steam.
Prepare for medieval madness and strategic battles in The Royal Writ, where every choice matters and the stakes are high.
