Balrum announced

Balrum
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Word reaches me that there’s an isometric 2D wRPG called Balrum in development–not only in development, in fact, but late in development.

The premise: “A maverick ballroom dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.” Oh, wait…that’s the premise of the 1992 Australian comedy Strictly Ballroom. My bad. Here’s the premise of Balrum:

Now that Nasrus revealed his plot, the kings of Balrum sent their armies to the borders of the unknown lands captured by Nasrus. The power of the undead armies had been greatly underestimated. No one survived  the battles. Without the armies of the kings, chaos has overcome Balrum. Large bandit clans formed and started to live by their own rules. Soon the kings of Balrum had fallen. Two little village stood up against the new bandit rulers and decided that the only way they will survive is if they hide in the Dark Woods. No one dare enter the Dark Woods and this is what the villagers took advantage of. A horrible deal has been made, but the villagers are safe for now. The undead hordes of Nasrus are still waiting at the borders, but they can march into the heart of Balrum anytime their lord commands and there is no one to stop them. The people wonder why the good gods of Balrum, Adacus and Eogor don’t seem to be interested in the events that took place..

Although exploration of the world of Balrum occurs in real time, the game shifts into turn-based mode for combat. According to the developers, the combat system features both backstab damage and friendly fire.

The game also features a stealth system, a crafting system, farming, hunting, and the ability to build a custom home (which NPCs can then visit to leave notes or offer quests).

Here’s a very short gameplay video from March 2014, the last time the devs uploaded a new video:

Developer Balcony Team wrote in November that they plan to release Balrum in a few months, which should mean we’re getting quite close to release. It’s planned for Windows, Mac and Linux.

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4 Comments »

 
  • Doji Star says:

    “A maverick ballroom dancer risks his career by performing an unusual routine and sets out to succeed with a new partner.”

    In development? I would Kickstart that RPG. Maybe a tactical RPG with training and character management. Perhaps some kind of deck-building CCG mechanic. The gear and lewt write themselves: overly tight pants, shirt with only one button at the bottom, uncomfortable shoes of spinning, etc.

  • BarryB says:

    Hell, I’m with Doji Star. I’m sick of “the child of the dethroned monarch” games, and “the uncoordinated commoner who has a destiny to save the world” games, and “you must face Cthullu-level perils to rescue your pet snail” games. Just once, it would be nice to have a truly different RPG set in a world that at least made a certain kind of sense, instead of forcing you to set your brain aside for the duration of a playing session.

    Your game would have special learned moves like Shoe Shuffle Trip and Demi Pointe Attack, right?

  • Rya.Reisender says:

    Looks like you only control a single character, I personally prefer larger parties like 4-6, especially with turn based battle systems. Where’s the strategy if you only have one person to control?

  • Phoon says:

    Intro made me laugh. 🙂

 

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