Trials of the Lodge – a roguelite-inspired experience in the world of a turn-based MMORPG
As previously announced, Broken Ranks players can now dive into the latest update: Trials of the Lodge. Alongside it comes a brand-new game mode for the turn-based MMORPG, inspired by roguelite design.
The developers emphasize that the new mode is set to significantly shake up the weekly routine of every player who has reached at least level 35. Those who take on the challenge can expect faster pacing, a high degree of unpredictability, and tactical, “in-the-moment” decision-making.
Each run is randomly generated – arena layouts, enemies, active modifiers, and available rewards all change from one attempt to the next. After every victorious battle, players can choose their next step, ensuring that no two runs ever play out the same. The mode is available in both solo and party variants, and the Trials are divided into five level brackets. Every arena features an opponent, sometimes accompanied by buffs, debuffs, or additional elements that enrich the gameplay, such as a shop or a special reward.
“We didn’t want the Trials of the Lodge to be a one-and-done experience – something you complete once and forget,” the developers write on the game’s official website.
One of the key additions is a new progression system tied directly to the Trials of the Lodge. Even failed attempts reward players with a special currency – aithars – which they can use to enhance their characters and unlock buffs that function both within the mode itself and across the rest of the game. This includes a completely new type of enhancement called Infusions, allowing players to improve a selected stat they currently consider their weakest. In addition, the update introduces the Aspect system, assigned to stronger enemies, enabling players to gradually increase their combat effectiveness against specific enemy types.
Entries to the Trials of the Lodge reset weekly, separately for solo and party play, encouraging regular participation and experimentation with different strategies. In addition to experience and psycho-experience, players can earn rewards such as rare gear, synergetics, and utility items.
Broken Ranks is the successor to The Pride of Taern, an MMORPG featuring a distinctive turn-based combat system and a grim low-fantasy world presented in an isometric view. The game brings to mind classic titles such as the Heroes of Might and Magic series or Baldur’s Gate. Adventurers can look forward to a wealth of story-driven quests and a vast, engaging world, designed for exploration both solo and in groups formed around the guild system.
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