Creativity isn't always something completely bespoke, but instead it's a completely unique combination of game genres, pointers and features. That's exactly it A dark craft is. This brand new open world RPG from developer Take Top Entertainment borrows a bit from popular games such as MinecraftElden Ringand even Dungeons and Dragons.
The developers call Dark Craft the “first MMORPG Soulslike” game, with the MMO elements explaining the decision to make it free-to-play on Steam. Set in a grim, dark fantasy world with a massive open world and Soulslike combat (similar to Elden Ring), block presentation, which is not so different from Minecraftand a unique feature of the main game system that brings out the best Dungeons and Dragons.
List of dark crafting features
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Free-to-play MMORPG
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Open world
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Soulslike combat (timing, stamina, understanding enemy telegraphs)
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Environmental storytelling in a world full of mystery and danger. Explore, find artifacts, or die trying.
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Dark Craft supports co-op play, but can also be played solo.
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The Game Master system, where developers directly intervene in the game.
Dark Craft meets Elden Ring
Elden Ring guides the Dark Craft combat and open world philosophy
Dark Craft promises a vibrant world in terms of interactions and environmental storytelling, while offering a promising open world for Soulslike fans. The environmental narrative is probably as much of a Soulslike feature as the combat, both A dark craft makes strong promises. As players face enemies (including players) in pursuit of key artifacts, they will encounter enemies that require them to master timing, stamina management, and the ability to anticipate their opponent's moves.
And the world lives up to that promise. If the walking castle isn't convincing enough, players will explore forests, villages, ancient castles and face dungeons similar to the best Soulsborne games. The necessary tension is also present, the developers explain the world,
“The world does not forgive mistakes: danger can lurk behind any wall or in the shade of trees, and an encounter with another player can easily turn into a deadly encounter. The constant tension makes even a short foray a real test.”
Dark Craft meets Elden Ring meets Minecraft
Minecraft makes sure it's not just another Soulslike game
Graphics and visuals are always a key point in any game. While many gamers (and games themselves) think that graphics don't matter anymore, the fact remains that it's the first thing a player sees. There are a lot of bad, dry Souls-like games out there that fail because they're generic dark fantasy. A dark craft it swims against the tide in that its visuals are essentially dark fantasy Minecraftwith an angular world-building charm that doesn't take away from it.
Dark Craft meets Elden Ring meets Minecraft meets D&D
The game masters will set you up and beat you
A dark craft isn't the first game with a system that allows developers to intervene, but it's a strong promise that sets it apart from the competition. Every system, from enemy patrols to the atmosphere, can be directly controlled by “Game Masters”, team members who directly intervene in the game. For example, they can command enemies and set traps for players, act as world bosses, give players unique tasks, or trigger unique events. This helps fill the necessary tension of Soulslike and expands its charm Minecraft– as a presentation and makes the best of it D&D and puts it into video game form. Maybe as the best Dungeons and Dragons DM, they even give players a break sometimes…maybe.
Overall, A dark craft offering all this within a free-to-play model is likely to attract players far and wide. Whether or not it'll be successful or live up to those promises remains to be seen, but let's hope it manages to climb to the top of the Steam wishlist.
