Thorvalla Kickstarter Campaign Launches

Guido Henkel’s promised crowdfunding campaign for a new cRPG title Thorvalla has launched, with a fairly ambitious goal of $1 million to be reached in 29 days. The project is lead by Henkel, whose best-known credits include the Realms of Arkania games and Planescape: Torment, and they further announce the art director Thu-Lieu Pham, who worked on Heroes of Might & Magic 2, and Betrayal at Krondor writer/designer Neal Hallford. The page offers an expansive description, a pitch video as well as concept art. Pledging starts at $15 for early birds, and offers a PayPal option right off the bat. They’ve also launched the game’s full website.

What is Thorvalla?

Thorvalla is a new fantasy computer RPG that pays homage to the classics, but also takes role-playing into new gameplay territory. Getting away from the veneer of bombastic linear storytelling that modern games have to offer, Thorvalla brings back many of the traits that made classic computer RPGs such memorable experiences. At the same time, it expands the experience and reinvents the way certain game mechanics are being handled.

The result is a game that will feel fresh and reinvigorated, as you tackle the mainstay of good role-playing games: adventure and exploration, character development, critical decision making, and. yes. combat!

About Thorvalla

There is nothing that frightens the sea-faring men of Thorvalla, not even the dragons, fearsome, fire-breathing beasts they harness like the horses they feed them.

Enter a world steeped in Norse mythology, tribal mysticism and sword-and-sorcery fantasy. Meet a people as rugged and fearless as the elements they weather, fueled by an indomitable spirit of adventure. Come face to face with monsters, beasts and denizens of the Underworld in a heroic tale of conquest. Come, enter Thorvalla!

Featuring single-player party-based play, Thorvalla allows you to take advantage of the traits and abilities of a variety of NPCs that you can add to your party as the story unfolds. Along with meaningful character interaction and a wealth of dialogue, these kinds of decisions influence not only how the story evolves but also the strategies you will have to apply in order to succeed and progress through the game. Unlike modern RPGs, in Thorvalla, there won’t be any babysitting the player, funneling you down a virtually linear path of no-defeat. This is going to be an RPG where you will have to save your game. often.

Oh, and did we tell you about the dragons? Yes, they will be there. Some friendly, others not so much. Mostly not so much. Nasty problem, that. but it’s all good. Some dragons are your friend. In fact, some will serve and fight for you. Harness a dragon and he is yours to command.

This is fantasy with a real air force, but don’t expect a first person dragon flight simulator. We are still talking about a hard core role-playing game that throws you into a world of adventure, filled with twisting plots and missions.