New Dungeon Crawler Revealed by Ex-Gothic Developers with Gameplay

Key Takeaways

1. Players control Cralon the Brave, who seeks to defeat a demon causing chaos in a nearby village.
2. The game features a dark maze-like mine with various biomes, requiring players to navigate dangers and find treasures.
3. Players can engage with both hostile and friendly creatures using fully voiced dialogue options, allowing for different interaction choices.
4. Cralon is developed by Pithead Studio, founded by former lead developers from Piranha Bytes, known for their work on the Gothic series.
5. The game combines elements of 3D dungeon exploration with RPG and adventure, drawing inspiration from classics like Ultima Underworld.

In Cralon, players take on the role of the main character, Cralon the Brave, who embarks on a quest to track down a demon that is causing chaos in a nearby village. As he follows the demon’s path, he accidentally falls into an ancient mine shaft, which serves as the main setting of the game.

Exploring the Mines

To escape back to the surface, players must make their way through a dark maze filled with both dangers and hidden treasures. This expansive cave system contains various biomes, such as underground forests, swamps, and graveyards. In addition to melee and ranged battles, players can utilize a dynamic stealth mechanic that relies on light sources to gauge visibility, similar to mechanics found in the Thief games.

Interacting with the Creatures

The mine is inhabited by a range of creatures, and not all of them are aggressive towards Cralon. Fully voiced dialogue options provide players with multiple choices, enhancing the freedom in how they decide to engage with the game. Although there is no confirmed release date yet, the trailer already showcases some of the gameplay:

Cralon marks the first game from Pithead Studio, which was established in July 2024 by experienced developers Jennifer and Björn Pankratz. Both were formerly lead developers at Piranha Bytes, the company behind the Gothic series, and their influence is clear in the trailer. The few lines spoken by the main character evoke the unique style of those beloved RPGs. However, unlike Gothic, Cralon is played from a first-person viewpoint.

A New Take on Classic Inspirations

Taking cues from classics like Ultima Underworld 1 & 2, the developers aim to create a fusion of 3D dungeon exploration with RPG and adventure aspects. With the closure of Piranha Bytes in June 2024, Cralon presents a potential alternative for fans who are feeling disheartened.

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