Multiplayer-optional ARPG Wolcen just launched on Steam with a huge day-one patch

It’s not an MMO, but you might want Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem on your wish-list anyway. It’s a new ARPG from WOLCEN Studio, clearly borrowing from titles like Path of Exile, Diablo and Grim Dawn. The game is an isometric but intensely graphic hack-and-slasher that’s been in an early access beta phase since last year and is slated to launch today with a character wipe, female toons, proper character customization, level cap bump to 90, extra chapters and difficulty modes, skill rebalancing, and improvements for animations and interface. Seriously, the day-one patch is extensive.

“You are one of the three survivors of the slaughter of Castagath. Rescued by Grand Inquisitor Heimlock, you were drafted into the Republic’s Army of the Purifiers at a very young age to be trained in the military academy and become perfect soldiers against the supernatural. You also had the chance to benefit from Heimlock’s occasional advice and training, which led you and your childhood friends, Valeria and Edric, to be called the Children of Heimlock. Recently, the Brotherhood of Dawn has infiltrated the Crimson Keep, a mysterious republican fortress lost among the northern deserts known as the Red wastes. While the purpose of the attack was unclear, the republican Senate voted a retaliation act against all known locations of the Brotherhood. Led by Grand Inquisitor Heimlock himself, troops are soon deployed on the Coast of wrecks, near the city state of Stormfall, to terminate a camp of Brothers. You are, with your two childhood friends, part of operation Dawnbane, under the supervision of Justicar Maëlys.”

As for multiplayer, it’s there in the form of optional co-op, but it’s by no means required. Launch was early, just a few minutes ahead of this post going live; the game is currently $29.99 just jumped up to $39.99 on Steam as of the launch.