Indie games are often a melting pot of fresh ideas, but the latest instalment in our Indie Spotlight series may be one of the most original yet. In an industry saturated by tried-and-tested formulas and copy/paste settings, The Wagadu Chronicles from developer Twin Drums is a breath of fresh sub-Saharan air. It is a project set to bring us back to our role-playing roots whilst simultaneously exploring the largely untapped world of African fantasy and folklore. So if you’re one of the millions of MMO players looking for something different - we suggest you keep reading.
The term ‘fantasy’ is one that conjures up some familiar images: dragons, castles, and stalwart knights of the realm. However, every time new games rehash old tropes (so, so many elves), fantasy fans are deprived of a treasure trove of folklore from other parts of the world. Enter The Wagadu Chronicles with its foray into the underused domain of Afro-fantasy.
The strange land of Wagadu can be described as a sort of purgatory formed of archipelagos and populated by the Fallen - people hailing from the Upper Realms that have found themselves irreversibly stuck. Between mysterious ‘Cycles’ the land warps and shifts to new shapes, even moving entire cities across the map. Against the forces of powerful spirits, fickle ancestors, angry beasts and angrier weather, players must survive and thrive.
Image: Twin Drums
Crafted by a team of D&D lovers, authentic role-play lies at the heart of this venture. And while the idea of ensuring thousands of MMO players stick to the role-playing rulebook may seem about as reasonable as herding cats - the Twin Drums team have some tricks up their sleeve.
Whether it’s off-world support to first-time or uncertain role-players, consistent rewards to groups who actively engage in thought-out role-play, or a heavy investment in moderation to stifle trolls - the effort to commit the tabletop experience to a virtual medium sits firmly atop the Wagadu to-do list.
Then there is the specially-made 5e-compatible lore-book. Designed to help players fully immerse themselves in The Wagadu Chronicles lore, its content facilitates inventive and unrestricted role-play with player actions eventually helping to shape the very future of the MMO itself. And the best part is that you can download the digital copy for free - allowing prospective players to get a better handle on the rich content ahead of its release.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, it is now a only a matter of time before we can dive into this Afro-fantasy adventure. Follow along via the official website, and watch this space as we continue to monitor its exciting development.
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