Arkheron Preview: Ability-Based Looter Brawler Sets PVP Triumph in its Sights

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Arkheron is the first game from Bonfire Studios, created in 2016 by Rob Pardo, who used to be the Chief Creative Officer at Blizzard Entertainment. It’s a dark fantasy action game played from an overhead perspective, where players compete against each other and collect loot. A key feature is the ability to customize your character in many different ways, letting you try out unique builds and playstyles.

I recently got a sneak peek at *Arkheron*, and it looks amazing! It’s a really fast-paced team brawler where you play with a group of three, and a total of 15 teams are all trying to climb to the top of this huge tower. What’s really cool is the tower isn’t just *any* tower – it’s actually made up of the memories of the characters, who they call echoes. These echoes are basically ghosts stuck because they have things they need to resolve. Because of how the tower is built from memories, it’s constantly changing and each layer looks totally different – so the environments are super varied and wild!

Arkheron Presents a Unique Take on Isometric Combat

I’ve been playing a lot of isometric games lately, and at first glance, *Arkheron* seemed like just another *Diablostyle game. But it’s actually really different! Instead of just clicking to attack, the camera is fully controllable, letting you aim your abilities and shots manually. It feels a lot more like playing a first- or third-person game, which is a cool twist!

I’m really excited because the team at Bonfire thinks these changes will make *Arkheron* stand out from all the other top-down games out there. They want it to feel truly unique!

Bonfire Studios is creating a competitive game that’s easy to pick up but offers a lot of depth for dedicated players. The focus is on making it fun first. Unlike many competitive games where you choose a character with unique skills, Arkheron makes the items you collect your strengths. Your gear will determine how you play and what you’re capable of.

Build Variety in Arkheron is Vast

In each match, players will team up in groups of three and build unique characters by finding gear as they climb a tower. Players can equip four items – called Eternal Relics – at a time: two weapons, a crown, and an amulet. Each weapon has a special ability, like a leaping attack, that’s only available when it’s equipped. Crowns and amulets provide various benefits, such as creating shields for the team or generating smoke to obscure vision. Choosing the right weapons and items allows teams to combine abilities for powerful effects, adding a strategic layer to combat.

Game Rant highlighted a couple of cool weapons, including the Icebreaker Mace, which creates a freezing mist to slow enemies, and the Flaming Lantern, offering a strong area-of-effect fire attack. These weapons are part of collections of four, called Eternal Relics, allowing players to collect a complete set. Wearing two or more pieces from the same set provides additional benefits that depend on the specific set.

However, equipment bonuses won’t directly increase a player’s damage. The developers at Bonfire Studios want skill to be the deciding factor in battles, not just stronger gear. With so many equipment choices, players will have access to hundreds of different ways to build their characters and experiment with various play styles. If a player collects a complete set of four pieces, their echo transforms into an Eternal – the closest thing to a traditional hero character in Arkheron.

How a Typical Match Works in Arkheron

Each match lasts around 30 minutes, where teams compete to climb a tower. Players spend a few minutes gathering resources on each level, then beacons light up around the map. They have 90 seconds to reach a beacon while avoiding an incoming electrical storm. The catch is that other teams might already be there, leading to intense battles. Once a team secures a beacon without opposition, they move up to the next floor and any fallen teammates are brought back into the game.

The tower’s floors are packed with monsters and treasure chests, and NPCs offer quests that can lead to valuable rewards. Teams aren’t always forced to fight; avoiding conflict is smart if another team isn’t trying to capture the same beacon, and knowing when to fall back is crucial depending on your gear and the situation. The tower is designed for player-versus-player combat, offering many chances for surprise attacks and clever tactics. To keep things interesting, powerful, unkillable monsters also roam the levels.

Bonfire Studios’ first game, *Arkheron*, aims to stand out to players who enjoy player-versus-player (PVP) combat. Its unique blend of genres could help it attract a wider audience. Every match of *Arkheron* will be different, and winning will require both skillful gameplay and a well-coordinated team with effective character builds.

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2025-09-17 19:16