Moon Beast Productions has released a demo version of Darkhaven, an isometric action RPG. The developers describe the game as a “new generation ARPG.” The development team is led by Philip Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer, who previously worked on the first Diablo games. They now want to apply their experience and new vision to a game with many innovative elements.
Darkhaven is a dark fantasy game set after the collapse of civilization. Players take on the role of one of the last survivors and explore wild lands and the ruins of former empires that are now ruled by monsters.
A demo version of the game is available on Steam. Only one character class is available, and players can only level up to level 8. However, players can complete the game at their own pace. At the same time, the developers launched a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter. They want to raise $500,000 to finish the project. So far, more than $210,000 has been donated.
The project was only announced at the end of January, so the rapid release of a playable version was unexpected. Typically, after high-profile presentations, games disappear from the news for a long time. However, the team decided to show a working version right away, even though it is far from its final state.
The current build is an early pre-alpha version without much polish, but it offers several hours of gameplay.
The demo features the Witch class, which has three skill trees responsible for mobility, position control, and resource management. This allows players to experiment with different playstyles and evaluate the basic combat system. However, the developers warn that the Darkhaven pre-alpha version is riddled with bugs, unfinished elements, and imbalances. For instance, the team cannot guarantee the functionality of the multiplayer mode. Darkhaven will feature single-player, co-op, and interaction between worlds, where changes are saved. They have also announced full support for modifications, including a built-in editor for creating items, classes, quests, and world rules.
The developers emphasize that they intend to preserve the familiar foundation of Diablo and Path of Exile: hunting for loot, character development, and building effective skill combinations. At the same time, the team is trying to change the genre’s familiar formula by interacting with the game world.
Darkhaven’s main feature, and what sets it apart, is its changeable environment. Players can destroy the landscape, build new paths, drain reservoirs, and change the course of rivers. The landscape is subject to change. You can dig up the ground, destroy walls, drain reservoirs, build new paths, and restore buildings.
These changes remain, affecting future playthroughs. Thus, the map gradually transforms based on players’ actions, so each new journey can look different. The item system plays a central role in shaping the build. Rare equipment significantly alters the style of play and retains its value over time. The game features relics, runes, item sets, and advanced trading.
The Bottom Line
So, how is the game played? Currently, it’s just a demonstration of the concept the developers are aiming for. It will seem familiar to anyone who has played POE or Diablo. As for the innovative part—the destructible world and construction—it does bring some freshness. However, after a while, you start to wonder why. Currently, it only has a few uses, such as finding additional dungeons on the map. There is already shaking ground, and if you hit or “tap” it, a group of goblins will appear underground, and a passage to the dungeon will open. Yes, there are uses inside dungeons, but they’re limited to searching for secret walls where you might find an additional reward, and even then, not always. You can use it in the open world to cross rivers, but you can also swim or climb. But you can also teleport there.
If the developers implement their ideas, Darkhaven could be one of the most unusual ARPGs in recent years. Currently, anyone can evaluate the project’s potential in the demo version.
