SKALD: Against the Black Priory

[Tweed]

I still really hope this game won't be ****, but who am I kidding.

[Xenich]

SKALD finally has a release date: May 30th

https://www.skaldrpg.com/2024/04/launch ... l-trailer/

► Show Spoiler

Honestly, at this point I'm not sure how much I care anymore. Also, I'm pretty sure the dev is super-woke.

/sigh

So, I didn't even know about this. I clicked the link and watched the video first, got excited, came back and read the responses... ****!

[1998]

Late Stage Feature Bonanza

Hello!

As I’m writing this, there are 227 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds left until launch. That feels surreal, terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. Just like a good cosmic horror grimdark RPG in other words.



The game in question is, of course, “Skald: Against the Black Priory”. A retro-style roleplaying game releasing May 30th for PC and Mac.

The game will sell for 15 USD with a Deluxe Edition priced at 25 USD. This game is VALUE PACKED in my humble opinion so please consider getting the Deluxe edition.

We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours and that’s not mentioning replayability.

Some New Late-Stage Features

In the blood-red rush of caffeine fueled crunch madness I decided to add a few nice little late stage features. Rejoice!

MERCENARIES

Do you want to adventure with the pre-made characters? Or would you rather make every character in the party from scratch? Perhaps a combination of the two?


(oops all the new characters!)

Fear not! The Outer Isles is full of “Mercenaries”: Blank characters that you can hire and customize fully.

Up to 18 characters can be part of your group and you’re free to swap them in and out from the party management screen that you get access to when resting in beds or at inns!


(This game suddenly feels a lot more like murder-hobo pokemon!)

You’re even free to leave all your companions in camp and venture forth alone if you want a bit of an extra challenge.

THE WEATHERMAIDEN

As you set sail across the Outer Isles on the fine ship “Weathermaiden” you can use her as a mobile base of operations.



Sleep, cook, craft, socialize, organize your party, trade and store your loot in style as you plow the steel-gray seas of the Outer Isles!

ULTIMATE MODE

Also known as “Nostalgia Mode”! This is a small one but it’s such a sweet little feature I can’t help but show it off! The Deluxe Edition (amongst many other cool things) allows players to activate the special retro game frame!



This is sure to bring back some fond memories for a lot of you! Did I mention that you should buy the Deluxe edition?

DELUXE MAP

The Deluxe Edition will now come bundled with a high resolution version of the overland map! And don’t worry: We’ll include both a spoilery and a non-spoiler version!



SOUND EFFECT UPDATE

I’ve done a MASSIVE overhaul of the sound effects in the game! Hoooo boy let me tell you it makes all the difference in the world to actually hear those guts spill onto the floor!

I didn’t have time to record footage of it but believe me when I say you’re in for a treat!

In Closing…

I’m planning to showcase the pre-made characters and I should also do another feature-focus on advanced combat stuff. We’ll see what I can squeeze in before launch and during the launch week.

In any case I’m BEYOND excited to show you the game. We’ve been sending keys to content creators and press and word is seeping in that they’re having a lot of fun with it. Are YOU a content creator or a Press person? Get in touch for a key to the game:

[email protected]

[email protected]

See you in 227 hours!

[1998]

Party Time!

Just over 50 hours and counting!

The hours are passing by in a fever-pitch at the moment. The amount of polish that has gone into the game since we sent out press-keys is AMAZING. On one hand, I’m sad that the reviewers didn’t get to see all those wonderful updates, but on the other hand, it’s far more important that you – the community – get a game that looks amazing on May 30th.



I spent all weekend playing through it and let me tell you: If your RPG tastes are like mine, you’re in for a treat. So in other words: you better smash that “buy” button once we go live!

We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours and that’s not mentioning replayability.

Rogue's Gallery

Today I’ll do a short feature of the six pre-made recruitable characters in the game. There was originally going to be more of them but I landed on the choice of giving maximum attention to fleshing out a handful of them instead of spreading it too thin.

The upside, of course, is that you can also recruit fully customizable characters if you want a bit of variation, allowing for endless mixing and matching.

Roland

Roland is a sell-sword veteran of countless bloody campaigns. He carries many a scar both without and within. Mercenary work is cruel and unglamorous it would seem.

Roland is a dangerous and brutal man . He’s also laconic and prone to bouts of melancholy but unerringly loyal.



Roland is an Armsmaster. A class that excels in straight-forward and brutal combat.

Kat

Kat is an indentured guild-sailor who was part of the crew of the ‘Zephyr’. She hails from the Imperial mainland where her cut-throat brother sold her into servitude after their parents died. Needless to say they did not part on good terms.

Kat is outspoken and exuberant with a foul mouth that stands in stark contrast to her fair appearance.



Kat is a Thief and excels in stealth and lock-picking. She also employs her deadly Backstab ability in combat to deal large amounts of damage and crippling injury conditions.

Driina

Driina is a cleric of the Sepulchite order, bringing the light of the Golden Dead to the Outer Isles. Imperial religion places great significance upon the dead and the mummified corpses of long dead Magi and Emperors are the Empire’s most prized relics.

The Sepulchites are the custodians of the Dead. This makes a somber and austere lot but they are also experts of the flesh and great healers.



Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence.

Iben

Iben is a quiet man with a sharp wit and sharper eye. He’s traveled the Empire far and wide and eventually ended up in the Outer Isles where he found happiness – for a short while. Though he can be humorous and warm when he so wishes, it is clear that he prefers the stillness that only the wilderness can offer.

When pressed about his background, Iben tends to grow distant while he thoughtfully chews his pipe.



Iben is a Ranger. A warrior that combines an unmatched skill in ranged combat with the magic of the natural world.

Iago

Iago is a swashbuckling smuggler hailing from the Ombarian city-states to the south. A man of the world, he’ll tell anyone who will listen (and most who won’t listen) that he owes his legendary good luck to being the favored son of the Blind Maidens.

Iago prefers to never stay in port for long. Something about ‘wronged husbands’ and ‘little misunderstandings’.



Iago is an Officer: A warrior who boosts the fighting prowess of their comrades by issuing orders across the battlefield.

Embla

Running bare-foot through the hedge-maze on the grounds of the Berryn estate. Both of you children: Embla in-front, just out of sight.

That’s how it’s always been.

All is not well in the house of Berryn and you must venture once more to follow her into the maze. Perhaps this time you’ll finally catch up to her.

[Acrux]

Too many women

[1998]

But in acceptable roles at least

[Irenaeus]

A purple hair guy (******?), an arab, a ******... wtf is this ****?

Other than this I like the aesthetics... Reminds me of Monkey Island EGA for some reason.

[Acrux]

But in acceptable roles at least

Eh...mage girl, fine. Rogue girl is okay in theory, but she's working as a hand on a ship. Hospitaller woman? No way.

[Rand]

Hospitaller woman? No way.

Not as a warrior monk, but religions get strange ideas so I would accept her as an academic/healer priestess.

[Acrux]

I would accept her as an academic/healer priestess

Sure, but the description of her character says "Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence."

[Rand]

I would accept her as an academic/healer priestess

Sure, but the description of her character says "Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence."

Yep. I don't like it at all. Perhaps one woman in 100 is capable of equaling a decent male warrior, but why bother?
She gets defeated, the first thing that happens to her is rape. Probably gang rape. Even if she survives physically uncrippled, she likely will be mentally, and will never be the same in any event.
Best to keep them all out of it.

[Acrux]

First impressions videos are coming in:

Oh, rusty's going to love that even the icons bounce

[aweigh]

Party Time!

Just over 50 hours and counting!

The hours are passing by in a fever-pitch at the moment. The amount of polish that has gone into the game since we sent out press-keys is AMAZING. On one hand, I’m sad that the reviewers didn’t get to see all those wonderful updates, but on the other hand, it’s far more important that you – the community – get a game that looks amazing on May 30th.



I spent all weekend playing through it and let me tell you: If your RPG tastes are like mine, you’re in for a treat. So in other words: you better smash that “buy” button once we go live!

We’re keeping it safe and saying the game has a core path of about 15 hours but in reality, every single first run I’ve seen has taken 25+ hours and that’s not mentioning replayability.

Rogue's Gallery

Today I’ll do a short feature of the six pre-made recruitable characters in the game. There was originally going to be more of them but I landed on the choice of giving maximum attention to fleshing out a handful of them instead of spreading it too thin.

The upside, of course, is that you can also recruit fully customizable characters if you want a bit of variation, allowing for endless mixing and matching.

Roland

Roland is a sell-sword veteran of countless bloody campaigns. He carries many a scar both without and within. Mercenary work is cruel and unglamorous it would seem.

Roland is a dangerous and brutal man . He’s also laconic and prone to bouts of melancholy but unerringly loyal.



Roland is an Armsmaster. A class that excels in straight-forward and brutal combat.

Kat

Kat is an indentured guild-sailor who was part of the crew of the ‘Zephyr’. She hails from the Imperial mainland where her cut-throat brother sold her into servitude after their parents died. Needless to say they did not part on good terms.

Kat is outspoken and exuberant with a foul mouth that stands in stark contrast to her fair appearance.



Kat is a Thief and excels in stealth and lock-picking. She also employs her deadly Backstab ability in combat to deal large amounts of damage and crippling injury conditions.

Driina

Driina is a cleric of the Sepulchite order, bringing the light of the Golden Dead to the Outer Isles. Imperial religion places great significance upon the dead and the mummified corpses of long dead Magi and Emperors are the Empire’s most prized relics.

The Sepulchites are the custodians of the Dead. This makes a somber and austere lot but they are also experts of the flesh and great healers.



Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence.

Iben

Iben is a quiet man with a sharp wit and sharper eye. He’s traveled the Empire far and wide and eventually ended up in the Outer Isles where he found happiness – for a short while. Though he can be humorous and warm when he so wishes, it is clear that he prefers the stillness that only the wilderness can offer.

When pressed about his background, Iben tends to grow distant while he thoughtfully chews his pipe.



Iben is a Ranger. A warrior that combines an unmatched skill in ranged combat with the magic of the natural world.

Iago

Iago is a swashbuckling smuggler hailing from the Ombarian city-states to the south. A man of the world, he’ll tell anyone who will listen (and most who won’t listen) that he owes his legendary good luck to being the favored son of the Blind Maidens.

Iago prefers to never stay in port for long. Something about ‘wronged husbands’ and ‘little misunderstandings’.



Iago is an Officer: A warrior who boosts the fighting prowess of their comrades by issuing orders across the battlefield.

Embla

Running bare-foot through the hedge-maze on the grounds of the Berryn estate. Both of you children: Embla in-front, just out of sight.

That’s how it’s always been.

All is not well in the house of Berryn and you must venture once more to follow her into the maze. Perhaps this time you’ll finally catch up to her.

the lame bouncing sprites and dumb screen shaking effects make the game, ironically, look dated. They cheapen the presentation and make it feel and look like a cheap mobile game.

would've been so much better without the sprite bouncing and screen effects.

[maidenhaver]

I would accept her as an academic/healer priestess

Sure, but the description of her character says "Driina is a Hospitaller: A front line healer combining the sacred magic of the flesh with a robust combat presence."

Yep. I don't like it at all. Perhaps one women in 100 is capable of equaling a decent male warrior, but why bother?
She gets defeated, the first thing that happens to her is rape. Probably gang rape. Even if she survives physically uncrippled, mentally she likely will be, and will never be the same in any event.
Best to keep them all out of it.

I'm after tired of having girlbosses shoved in my face.

[asf]

is that a ******

[maidenhaver]

A shipwhore/**** is the last thing I want on an adventure.

[Acrux]

This video goes through every possible character option at startup.

I've keyed it to the customization section. Male/Female options no "they" yet, females don't have beards. Everything else is cosmetic. Some dangerhair portraits.

[Irenaeus]

I watched the videos and despite the bad number of women and ********* (more than zero), the game looks good and the gameplay has a cool feel. One wonders if it holds up for more than the 15 minutes of play I saw, and how the story goes. It has a big potential of being bad, but someone will have to try it.

[rusty_shackleford]

But in acceptable roles at least

[Norfleet]

A purple hair guy (******?), an arab, a ******... wtf is this ****?

Given that they didn't have names, I don't think those are actual cast members, just the random characters the player can create. The brownest guy in the actual cast members is clearly some sort of Spaniard, judging from his name.

[WaterMage]

This game seems good but has a huge flaw. There is fire magic, earth magic, air magic. But where is water magic? Is the most underused element.

[Tweed]

I hope to Christ almighty that this game doesn't suck.

[1998]

I don't want to hype you up too much, but here is a pic of the solo dev (Norwegian)



You can even play some of his previous games

SUPER TRUMP WALL
https://gamejolt.com/games/super-trump-wall/156899

REVENGE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
https://gamejolt.com/games/revenge-of-t ... rty/171664

HILLARY'S CASH DASH
https://gamejolt.com/games/hillary-s-cash-dash/164480

Again, he is Norwegian.

[rusty_shackleford]

I don't want to hype you up too much, but here is a pic of the solo dev (Norwegian)



You can even play some of his previous games

SUPER TRUMP WALL
https://gamejolt.com/games/super-trump-wall/156899

REVENGE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
https://gamejolt.com/games/revenge-of-t ... rty/171664

HILLARY'S CASH DASH
https://gamejolt.com/games/hillary-s-cash-dash/164480

Again, he is Norwegian.

There are few things sadder than yuroporeans who are absolutely obsessed with american politics

[1998]

Correct, also it shows that he is going all in on virtue signalling. Maybe he grew up in the meantime, but if that's still his mindset..oh boy

[Acrux]

Huh? Wdym? He made games about Trump building the wall, the GOP bombing some shithole country, and Hillary being a ****. This guy is GIGA based.

Seriously, though, don't give money to people who hate you.

[maidenhaver]

Are all Ultima fans like this? I liked UU, but never played the others.

[rusty_shackleford]

Are all Ultima fans like this?

Yes.

[Tweed]

Are all Ultima fans like this? I liked UU, but never played the others.

Cultima.

[1998]

Released



Release trailer



Still hope it won't be ****, curious for the first Steam reviews