Alaloth – Champions of the Four Kingdoms answers the question: What if we blended a CRPG with combat mechanics from a souls-like? What you get is a beautiful world that literally kicks your ass at every turn. However, with the multitude of RPG mechanics at your use, you can grow powerful enough to kill a god!
Fight the Power!
Alaloth is a dark god that turned on his pantheon and came down to the mortal realms. In his quest for domination, he was imprisoned in the Valley of Storms. It is here that you can find the four great kingdoms (and your race choices) of humans, orcs, elves, and dwarves. His determination to extinguish the light of hope is your reason for fighting. Storms, monsters, plagues, strife, and great dragons lie ahead of you in your travels. It will require great strength and determination to defeat Alaloth in his prison
A Gigantic Map
The world of Alaloth is, in a word, huge. The map has 4 main territories. The Goldwood Forest and The Republic of Larastir with elves keeping the secrets of the gods safe. To the northeast are the mountains named The Fangs of Kemot, home to dwarves that inhabit this great rocky territory: Karak-Hohn. To the southwest, you will discover the wastelands, the Desolation of Baga, where orcs rule. In the southeast humans brought civilization to an age of gold with a huge bay area of cities, merchants, and prosperous growth: The Blessed Kingdom of Edherest.
These locations on the overworld map will bring you into various dungeons, shrines, and cities. It’s within these that the world really shows its beauty. Alaloth does a fantastic job of taking the backdrops of CRPGs of yore and bringing them to life as you run around. Gigantic cities carved out by the dwarves are such an amazing sight to behold. These locations have so much detail to them, it is mesmerizing.
A World Teaming With Life
What you notice immediately upon seeing the overworld is not only do you have a huge area to travel but there are many moving characters shown. Various champions are traveling from city to city; Enemies also stalk the traveled paths between cities. You may be able to outrun some, others will attack and you will be forced to take them down. Just make sure you don’t get caught standing still taking in the scenery!
Your Champion
There are 4 main kingdoms, thus 4 races to choose from in Alaloth. Humans, Orcs, Elves, and Dwarves. Each class has its own region they start in and specific resistance bonuses or negatives. From there you will choose your fighting style (Sword Shield, polearms, dual wield, etc.) your legacy (what guides how you behave), alignment, and diety. Race and Diety seem to be the only thing that outright tells you what differences it applies to the game. However, more time with different setups may show there is more here than it tells. After all that is chosen, you can use a limited character builder to make your champion!
Death Awaits
This game is hard. You will die. A lot. The combat is a stamina-based combat that requires you to dodge, parry, and defend. All-out attacks are a quick way to your grave in Alaloth. You may find yourself surrounded on many occasions. My biggest word of advice is to take out those ranged attackers as quickly as you can or they will send you to your death quite fast. Combat can feel unfair and overwhelming but there is a way to tackle the packs of enemies and come out victorious.
You can customize your warrior by choosing from among three different Ways of Power – Arms, Gods, and Nature – each one with three different professions to choose from. These will make up various skills and weapon proficiencies to help create the Champion you want.
Armed to the Teeth
Your armor load-outs are very similar to other Action RPGs. What’s different is that you have 4 pockets that can be loaded with consumables. Only these can be used when in a dungeon and they must be set before entering. You will not be able to open your inventory while inside.
To gain new items you can do a number of things. Gather materials throughout your travels and then have the blacksmith create items. You can find them in chests or off enemies, or buy them. The crafting is pretty interesting and gets rather complex with materials needed and slotting gemstones for extra bonuses.
Cooking serves a good purpose and is something you will want to take advantage of. You will find recipes while traveling and any chance you can get, gather or purchase ingredients because food gives not only health but bonuses to attack, speed, etc. It’s a skill well worth learning and paying into.
Leveling up
Alaloth handles leveling a bit differently and it’s something you should be aware of. You do not gain levels through combat directly. The only levels are given as you clear dungeons. This can be very difficult starting out because your gear plays a large role in this game and if you’re under-prepared for a dungeon, you’re dead. It’s important to make sure you fight enough low-level creatures to gain supplies and money to outfit yourself properly to then take on these dungeons. After a few of these, you will have the strength and skills to begin taking on the harder dungeons and progressing. It’s a weird system and I’m still not completely sold on it however, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker for me.
Time to Prepare
Alaloth – Champions of the Four Kingdoms has been a lot of fun. It’s tough and sometimes downright frustrating (I never did well with games like this and Souls-Likes) however, it has a lot going for it. Its lore and world are incredibly interesting and the multitude of mechanics running under the hood here will keep your attention. If you’re looking for an RPG that isn’t afraid to kick your ass, then check out Alaloth – Champions of the Four Kingdoms.
