Armello

Set in fantasy realities, Armello is an original production which combines elements of a digital board game, a card game, and a turn-based strategy with RPG elements. The title published on PC, iOS and etc. was created by League of Geeks – a collective composed of successful Australian developers and independent artists. The game is partially subsidised by a Kickstarter campaign.

Plot

The action of Armello takes place in a medieval, fictional, and fairylike universe dwelled by anthropomorphic animals. Slowly, the world deteriorates as the kingdom is being gradually taken over by a mysterious force known as the Rot. To save the situation, the most influential clans set off their best representatives on the quest of retaking authority and bringing back peace to the falling kingdom. Players pick one of the four clans and undertake a dangerous mission which largely comes down to exploration, accomplishing quests, and fighting creatures. Even though the remaining clans are you rivals, you can form alliances and support each other during more demanding combats – just for the common good.

Mechanics

Players move on a complex, procedurally-generated hex board in a turn-based system which uses action points. During exploration, you will spend a lot of time on supplying your heroes with better and better equipment, recruiting new units, and picking the right decks of cards. There are three basic groups of cards (Items, Spells, and Trickery) and two additional – independent from the players’ actions (Followers and Treasures). Battles with creatures take place on a different screen – the Items and Spells cards, along with rolls of a dice, significantly influence the outcome of the battle. You can compete against AI or other players in the multiplayer mode which allows up to two users to play through the local area network and up to four players through the Internet.

Technical aspects

What makes Armello different from other games of this genre published on PC, iOS and etc., is the way it looks and sounds. The production combines 2D and 3D elements and resembles the best animations created by Disney. Michael Allen and Lisa Gerrard, known from e.g. Dead Can Dance band and the moving soundtrack for the movie Gladiator, are responsible for the soundtrack.

Last updated on 30 June 2014