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Action RPGs owe a debt to Blizzard’s Diablo for establishing the genre’s foundation. While games like Dungeon Siege, Titan Quest, and Grim Dawn have carved their own niches, the ARPG throne has remained contested. Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, after a long development period including a Kickstarter campaign and four years in Early Access, finally launched in 2020, aiming to disrupt the established order. With Diablo IV and Path of Exile 2 on the horizon, Wolcen had an opportunity to capture the market. Did it succeed?

Character Customization in Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem

A God Among Mortals: Character Customization

Wolcen initially presents three basic combat styles: melee, ranged, and magic. However, the game’s true strength lies in its unparalleled character customization. Forget rigid class restrictions; Wolcen empowers you to define your own playstyle. The resource system, utilizing HP, Rage, and Willpower, is a key component of this flexibility. Rage, similar to Diablo III‘s Monk resource, fuels melee and ranged attacks, while Willpower functions as mana for magic. The innovative aspect is the interplay between these resources: spending Willpower generates Rage, and vice versa.

Gameplay showcasing Wolcen's combat

This system allows for fascinating hybrid builds. Wield a gun in one hand and a catalyst in the other, seamlessly blending ranged attacks with magic, eliminating the need for constant mana management. While purists might prefer specialization, Wolcen rewards experimentation. Imagine a warrior leaping into the fray, casting a healing spell before unleashing a devastating combo, or a mage summoning elemental forces, decimating foes with a black hole and scorching sunbeam.

Further enhancing customization is the skill modification system. Each skill can be drastically altered, similar to Diablo III‘s runes. Transform a basic cannon into a heavy rocket launcher or a cluster bomb dispenser. Combine ice spells with fire runes for devastating area-of-effect damage.

The Gate of Fates adds another layer of complexity, reminiscent of Path of Exile‘s skill tree. Expanding upon the basic character stats (Ferocity, Toughness, Agility, Wisdom), the Gate of Fates offers granular control over individual attributes. With multiple branches and a rotating wheel mechanic, the possibilities are virtually endless. Combined with skill modifications and hybrid builds, Wolcen ensures no two characters are truly alike. Respeccing is also readily available, encouraging experimentation without the need to create new characters.

Skill Tree – Gate of Fates

Unleash the Apocalypse: Combat and Visuals

Wolcen delivers on the visceral thrill of combat that ARPG fans crave. Powered by CryEngine, the game boasts stunning visuals and impactful skill effects. Every attack, whether a sword swing, a gunshot, or a spell, feels powerful and satisfying, complemented by weighty sound design. The dynamic combat truly shines with hybrid builds, allowing for fluid transitions between playstyles. Gather enemies with a black hole, unleash a barrage of lightning strikes, then leap away and finish them off with a concussive blast.

Environmental Screenshot

The CryEngine also powers Wolcen‘s beautifully crafted world. From sun-drenched fields to gloomy forests, eerie dungeons, and majestic palaces, each environment is distinct and visually impressive. The seamless transitions between these areas create a cohesive and immersive world. Even the loot is visually appealing, with a distinct aesthetic reminiscent of Warhammer. The ability to transmogrify gear ensures your character always looks their best.

Another environment screenshot

Unfulfilled Potential: Story and Technical Issues

Despite its strengths, Wolcen suffers from significant flaws. The story is a predictable and poorly executed mess, filled with clichés and underdeveloped characters. NPCs feel superfluous, and their betrayals or deaths elicit little more than a sigh. While the graphics are impressive, optimization is lacking, particularly on AMD systems. Frame rate drops, texture loading issues, and other graphical glitches are common. The UI also suffers from scaling issues, making it difficult to see on 4K displays.

In-game screenshot

The online multiplayer is perhaps the game’s biggest disappointment. Requiring separate characters for online and offline play is a baffling design choice. The peer-to-peer networking, combined with server-side validation, results in frequent lag, disconnections, and even data loss. While recent updates have improved stability, the online experience remains far from ideal.

Endgame Boss Fight

Conclusion: A Promising Future?

Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem is a game of immense potential, hampered by significant technical issues and a lackluster story. The innovative character customization and visceral combat are truly exceptional, but the overall experience is marred by bugs, performance problems, and a disappointing online mode. Hopefully, future updates will address these shortcomings and allow Wolcen to truly shine.