Developer MADNGINE, along with publisher Wemade Max, have released a trailer for a new single-player open-world RPG dubbed Project TAL. The title was originally announced earlier this year as TAL: The Arcane Lands, and has since had its name changed. While it doesn’t yet have a precise release date, the developer and publisher are aiming at bringing it to PC and consoles some time in 2027.
The trailer, which you can check out below, showcases the strong east-Asian influences that have gone into the design of the world and characters of Project TAL. There is also a bit of gameplay shown off, with players teaming up with in-game NPCs to take down massive monsters. There also seems to be a class and role system in the title, with allied characters being equipped with different weapons and skills that each allow them to take on enemies in different ways.
The three types of weapons shown off in the trailer are a giant 2-handed sword, a combination of a sword and shield, and a more mystical take on weapons with a character equipped with a fan. The trailer also showcased how allies can help out the player; for instance, after the protagonist is grappled by a boss and chewed up, they are then spit out and eventually caught by an ally, helping them get back into the fight more quickly.
The variety of enemies shown off in the trailer is quite impressive, ranging from regular footsoldiers to epic bosses that fight you while riding a massive dragon. Each one of these fights will involve the players learning the enemies’ specific move sets to then find an opening. Players will also have to figure out the best times to opt for more defensive options, like blocking a dragon’s fire breath with a massive shield.
“Project TAL combines an emotionally resonant story about healing a wounded world with the exhilarating combat of a classic action RPG,” said Wemade Max CEO Sohn Myun-seok in a press release revealing the trailer. “With MADNGINE’s technical expertise and artistic vision, we’re creating a AAA open-world title built to compete on a global stage.”
The original announcement of Project TAL noted that it was being developed using Unreal Engine 5, and that the developers are going for photorealism with their art style. The story itself will be inspired by a fictional take on the Joseon Dynasty, with the world being overrun by mysterious creatures. The world of the game will feature Joseon imagery and symbolism with fantasy elements to realise this vision.
As for the game’s title, the word TAL is meant to symbolise a traditional mask, while also hinting at an epic journey that players will partake in that will ultimately have them break free from the shackles of concepts like fate and destiny. On the gameplay side of things, Myun-seok had previously noted that Project TAL will not be a souls-like. Rather, it will have more fast-paced combat that evokes a mix of open-world gameplay with action RPG combat.
