Extraction RPG Project Pantheon lets you explore the remains of giant dead gods

Extraction shooters both old and new are everywhere you look right now, but a secondary wave of PvPvE mania and loot paranoia is arriving thanks to a flurry of extraction RPGs. Dark and Darker is arguably the forefather of this subgenre, and there are several exciting rivals on the way. While the majority opt for first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspectives, there's one game attempting a Diablo-style isometric view. Currently dubbed Project Pantheon, some new details about its dark mythological world have emerged alongside a very small (but still exciting) first glimpse at gameplay footage.

It's no surprise that Wolcen Studio went down the isometric route with Project Pantheon. It's already had a crack at joining our list of the best games like Diablo with Wolcen Lords of Mayhem, a multiplayer ARPG that saw support end last year. With Project Pantheon, the developer is going to take all of its learnings from Wolcen and infuse its second attempt with extraction mechanics and a grim universe entrenched in mythology. Not just one culture's mythology, either. Norse, Egyptian, Greek, you name it, it's probably going to get a dark, unsettling twist.

We already knew that Project Pantheon would take place in a world where all the gods had been slain - one where Death, a being more powerful than all of these deceased deities, is in need of your assistance. Now, thanks to these new details from Wolcen Studio, there's a bit more meat on the bones. It turns out that these colossal gods will become explorable landmarks and points of interest in Project Pantheon's world. When you drop into a match, instead of visiting settlements, structures, or mini-dungeons while hunting for loot, you'll be snooping around the corpses of actual gods. Freaky.

This is an "oppressing, terrifying, nightmarish" world, according to art director Elliot Bocxtaele - one that you "wouldn't wish your worst enemies to live in." Sounds like it will be suitably depressing and hellish for all you Diablo enjoyers out there. Narrative designer Adam Dowden also reveals that as a consequence of you agreeing to help Death, he will imbue you with powers "far beyond what your mortal body could have."

The new video released by Wolcen Studio also concludes with a few seconds of alpha gameplay. In truth, it looks exactly as you'd expect a grim and grizzly ARPG to look like in terms of aesthetic. We also see at least two weapon types - some dual-wield axes or hatchets, and a staff that appears to fire electrical energy. In the very final frame, the player is seemingly ambushed by a giant bear who pulverizes them with a slam attack. It's a tiny window into Project Pantheon, but it's nice to finally get a glimpse of it outside of just screenshots.

Project Pantheon is currently without a release date, but you can take part in closed alpha testing right now. Head here if you want to sign up.

For some more engrossing adventures, head to our best RPGs list. Or if you want to get competitive, our best multiplayer games guide is the place to be.

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