Role-playing game Pagan Online to be released next week

After months of testing, fans are finally set to get their hands on the full launch version of a new hack-and-slash action role-playing game.

Get ready for a new hack-and-slash action role-playing game. Picture: Supplied 27

Developer and publisher Wargaming are best known for their multiplayer vehicle combat games — but are mixing things up with a new hack-and-slash action role-playing game.

Entitled Pagan Online and developed by Wargaming and Mad Head Games, the game will have its full launch on August 27 on PC.

Wargaming describes Pagan Online as “combining classic top-down action RPG gameplay with session-based player-vs-environment (PVE) action, unique characters, and combat that will challenge even the most seasoned players” — and while they’re not making comparisons to Blizzard’s popular Diablo games, fans of that series will likely appreciate what the new game is set to offer.

Unlike the Wargaming’s well-known games World of Tanks and World of Warships, which are free to play, Pagan Online will be a paid title at launch ($30) but is not expected to have ongoing costs beyond optional quarterly downloadable content additions.

The early access version has been popular with online role-playing game fans since it launched in April, and their feedback has been used to help implement a number of changes to the launch version of Pagan Online, according to Mad Head Games chief creative officer Uros Banjesevic.

“During our four-month run in early access we have implemented massive changes and amazing new features and mechanics to deliver the best possible 1.0 experience at full launch,” he said.

“It is going to be, literally, a different game.”

Mr Banjesevic said the game was intended to bring something different to the action RPG genre.

“We’ve modernised how combat in a top-down action RPG works, taking cues from multiplayer online battle arenas to create something that’s fast-paced, overwhelming with enemies, and super challenging,” he said.

The developers have confirmed the launch version of the game will have a full story campaign with eight acts, along with new zones, maps and bosses.

The controls have also been expanded to include full controller support, and an all-new skill tree has been added.

The developers have said the crafting and loot drop systems have also been revamped, “making drops more valuable, diverse, and immediately usable, while recipes become more rare and have a bigger impact”.

Wargaming product director Jacob Beucler said players could also expect regular game and content updates post-launch.

“We are committed to continue to iterate on our game. We are excited to not only end the early access journey but also to begin building what comes next,” he said.

Originally published as Role-playing game Pagan Online to be released next week