Darkhaven is a new ARPG from developer Moon Beast Productions, an independent studio founded by Diablo veterans Philip Shenk, Peter Hu, and Erich Schaefer. The team has described the game as going back to the genre’s roots “with a fully dynamic, persistent world”. The game will be crowdfunded first, before being released on Steam at a later date. Players can follow Darkhaven’s Kickstarter campaign now and wishlist the game on Steam. There will also be a playable demo available alongside the Kickstarter when it goes live.

In a press statement, Moon Beast Productions said. “Darkhaven is a dark fantasy isometric ARPG set in the aftermath of a great and final collapse of civilization. Ancient empires have fallen, their ruins reclaimed by wilderness, monsters, and predatory supernatural forces. Players are heirs to a legacy of power that is the last hope for this dying world. As eldritch evil worms its way into the world to feed on its remains, it falls to these few to bring the land back from the brink of death.”

“From the very beginning, we wanted Darkhaven to feel good to play,” said Erich Schaefer, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. “Movement is fun. Being able to jump over attacks, climb cliffs, dash out of danger, or swim across a lake that may or may not be infested with riverfangs changes how combat feels in this kind of game. It’s not just about numbers fighting numbers anymore. It’s much more engaging. For me, it becomes more about skill, finding flow, and making smart decisions in the moment. I’ve never had more fun making and playing an ARPG.”