Description

Bearers is a high fantasy, co-op, souls-inspired, action RPG, where you forge your own playstyle from countless class, gear, and ability combos in a non-destructive, iterative character building system. Team up, think fast, and fight hard.

History

I started the development of Bearers in June of 2022. An epiphany struck in response to working long hours on both my job and on the research for my Masters degree; I realised I would never achieve my childhood game development dream if I didn't make it my priority.

I withdrew from my Masters and began work on Bearers. It started with the working title Ability Battle (AB) and a simple mission statement, “make a spiritual successor of Guild Wars 1.”

Initial work on the game was focused on abilities/skills, as their purposeful and tactical use were what set Guild Wars 1 apart from its peers. As development continued, it was important to look at the project through the lens of modern gaming sensibilities, and work on how to adapt the concept to something that could have a great scope in the current environment.

The game evolved to emphasise skill-based, technical action of a Souls-like, to add dynamism whilst preserving its tactical core identity. To support this focus, the game steps past the boundaries of classic inventory design and empowers players with unrestricted access to gear and abilities, meaning ease of access, and the shuttling players more quickly into the action (in line with contemporary expectations). This not only accelerates access to meaningful choices but also encourages experimentation, synergy discovery, and a deeper freedom of expression in how players build and play.

Features

• Follow the story of The Chosen Bearer through Campaign play
• Explore the depths of the Celestial Isles, braving PvE Dungeons overrun with monstrous hordes, either solo or co-op
• Bearers can test their skill, strategy and teamwork in the PvP 3v3 Combat Arena
• Create and Customise your look with styles inspired by Aetherpunk and high fantasy aesthetics
• Choose a Primary and Secondary Profession from which your Bearer can utilise relevant gear and abilities
• Develop Builds that encourage and reward experimentation through individual and team synergy
• Leave behind the grind of levelling and endless inventory management. Bearers eschews a classic finite inventory system for a limitless one, alleviating busy work and allowing players freedom to experiment and transition swiftly into the action.
• Create builds using ability combinations to realise synergies and increase power and effectiveness
• Feel the intensity of Souls-like skill-focused combat, creating a dynamic battlefield
• Uncover the Lore and shrouded mystery of The Eight Gods and how the Bearers were empowered. Not everything is as it seems…