It’s worth noting that Flintlock also launched on day one for Game Pass, so that milestone doesn’t necessarily reflect the total sales figures. Released on July 18th, the hack-and-slash action-adventure title focuses on Nor, a member of the Coalition Army seeking to defeat the gods and seal the Door to the Great Below.

Of course, she’ll need to slice, dice and shoot her way through legions of the undead while traversing environments with Enki, a mysterious, mystical fox who has some connection to the gods. Upon progressing, players can unlock new abilities, discover powerful loot, and much more.

Check out our review of Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn here. We gave it an eight out of ten, praising the combat, setting, and traversal, while criticizing the movement and technical issues.

Thank you, Sappers!

Since launch, we’ve seen 500,000 new members of the Coalition army across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. That’s huge! ⚔️

Your support means the world! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/akMMqz9ZCk

— Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn 🪓 OUT NOW! ⚔️ (@PlayFlintlock) July 30, 2024

In everything from the structure of its world, how it punishes death, its approach to difficulty, and how it handles exploration, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn scratches that very specific Soulslike itch- which, of course, is something that we know A44 is capable of delivering, courtesy of Ashen. At the same time, however, Flintlock is also a much more forgiving game with a much lower barrier for entry, whether that’s because of the multiple difficulty options available, because of combat just generally not being as difficult as it is in most traditional Soulslikes, or because of more granular elements, like how generous it is with checkpoints or fast travel.

"In everything from the structure of its world, how it punishes death, its approach to difficulty, and how it handles exploration, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn scratches that very specific Soulslike itch- which, of course, is something that we know A44 is capable of delivering, courtesy of Ashen. At the same time, however, Flintlock is also a much more forgiving game with a much lower barrier for entry."

But first things first- let’s talk about what Flintlock exactly is. Set in the world of Kian, it goes all in on the flintlock fantasy aesthetic, as its name suggests, which means a combination of all the traditional fantasy elements combined with an early modern setting and early traces of technology. In and of its own, it’s a strong aesthetic, and it’s one that the game uses to great effect, instantly carving out a unique visual identity for itself and the world that it is set in. You play as Nor Vanek, an elite soldier who, accompanied by the mysterious fox-like entity named Enki, is tasked with defeating powerful beings that have escaped out into the world from the Great Below and are now wreaking absolute havoc, to put it mildly.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn doesn’t fully commit to the Soulslike bit in the narrative and storytelling department either. True to the genre’s usual trappings, it does have cryptic notes and bits and pieces of text scattered about that vaguely allude to new details about the lore, like new puzzle pieces waiting to be put together, but at the same time, Flintlock also isn’t as averse to conventional storytelling methods and staples as Soulslikes often tend to be. There’s plenty of cutscenes, not all characters that you speak to insist on speaking in riddles, and there are even  towns and settlements in the world that are populated with NPCs that you can interact or even play minigames with.

How well does it work? Well, storytelling isn’t where Flintlock’s strengths lie. As I mentioned, I think it boasts a strong setting (where the aesthetic does a lot of the heavy-lifting), but where the story itself is concerned, the game is serviceable at best. There are times where I enjoyed the interactions between Nor Vanek and Enki, and learning more about the world of Kian and its lore was always captivating, but by and large, the story was never anything beyond passably interesting, and rarely was it anywhere close to being the thing that was keeping me playing.

"Flintlock boasts a strong setting (where the aesthetic does a lot of the heavy-lifting), but where the story itself is concerned, the game is serviceable at best."

There is, however, plenty else that will keep you playing in Flintlock. The combat, for instance, is an absolute blast. Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a much more approachable flavour of Soulslike, which means even on normal difficulty, it’s not as difficult as a lot of other games in the genre, but it still does maintain a decent level of challenge, while also nailing most of the fundamentals quite well. Chaining together attacks, dodges, and parries feels good on a core, moment-to-moment level, especially as the game starts throwing an increasing variety of enemies at you, each bringing their own unique challenges. Meanwhile, combat also feels generally faster than it does in most Soulslikes, with Nor Vanek’s movements being much more nimble and athletic.

Beyond that, the game throws in additional mechanics as new wrinkles in the proceedings, like armoured or shielded enemies presenting different obstacles, a variety of firearms to use for ranged options, or using Witherings to unleash powerful and magical abilities during fights. Chief among Flintlock’s own twists on familiar ideas, however, is the Reputation system, which is effectively the game’s version of Souls, and as such, central to its progression systems. At its core, it functions exactly the same way- you earn it by defeating enemies, and then you spend it to upgrade your character- though here, you’re doing that in a skill tree, which means your options are a bit more guided and limited than in traditional genre offerings. And yes, as you’d expect from a Soulslike, if you die, you lose all of your unspent Reputation, though you can earn it back by returning to the spot of your death- unless you die before you do, in which case you’ve lost that chunk forever.

What makes the Reputation system really sing, however, is the unique risk/reward mechanic it comes with. Flintlock encourages players to mix up their actions and combos in combat, because every time you do that, you increase your Reputation multiplier. So if, say, during on fight, you combine a variety of dodges, attacks, parries, firearm attacks, and what have you, that fight will likely see your Reputation going up. There’s a catch, however, because as soon as you get hit, your multiplier gets reset, and you instantly earn however much Reputation you’ve racked up until that point. That’s why the game gives you manual control over when to cash in- do you trust your skills and keep increasing your multiplier, hoping for a big payout, or do you play it safe and keep cashing in before you get hit? It’s an incredible system, because not only does it encourage you to properly engage with the game’s full suite of combat mechanics, it also feels appropriately rewarding while also never feeling dauntingly punishing.

"Not only does the Reputation system encourage you to properly engage with the game’s full suite of combat mechanics, it also feels appropriately rewarding while also never feeling dauntingly punishing."

Beyond that, Flintlock’s progression mechanics are rather straightforward in their implementation. You can use the Reputation you’ve earned to unlock skills in the skill tree, slowly expanding your moveset and roster of abilities, while there’s also gear to find and equip to further hone up your build. Outside of that, there’s new weapons to find, existing weapons to upgrade, cosmetics to purchase, and more. Soulslike enthusiasts might be disappointed in the lack of emphasis placed on build diversity here, but Flintlock’s progression mechanics are more than serviceable if you’re approaching it as more of an action RPG in this particular department, especially since it’s the Reputation system that’s the main draw of Flintlock’s progression side of things.

Where exploration is concerned, Flintlock does a solid job of keeping players engaged. Designed as a semi-open experience, its world sees you seamlessly moving through linear and semi-linear areas that are connected to each other through loops and shortcuts in typical Soulslike fashion. There’s usually of plenty of room for exploration, and more often than not, it tends to feel appropriately rewarding. You’ll find new companions to recruit for your caravan, optional areas to explore for powerful gear, crafting resources to spend on valuable equipment upgrades, hamlets to rescue so you can earn health flask upgrades, and plenty of side quests to track down.

Flintlock also ensures that the faster speed of its combat reflects in its general traversal and exploration as well. Nor Vanek’s general movement speed is quite nimble, while she also has a repertoire of jumps, double jumps, dashes, vaults, and what have you that she is capable of stringing together. Thanks to Enki’s abilities, she can also fly through rifts in the sky, which never quite gets boring. Flintlock’s movement and traversal ensure that even when the game’s offerings are a little generic or plain in their design – which I sometimes found some of the side content or areas to be – simply moving about and exploring environments remains fun. The game does feel a bit janky in its movements and animations at times, however, which is a problem that can occasionally drag down both combat and traversal. I didn’t find it to be a huge issue in my experience, but others might find it more annoying.

"Where exploration is concerned, Flintlock does a solid job of keeping players engaged."

Jankiness is something that all of Flintlock suffers from, but honestly, technical excellence and top-of-the-line polish wasn’t something I was expecting from this game anyway. It’s a classic case of a somewhat-technically-rough yet hugely enjoyable AA experience, one that actually will surprise you with its sights vistas from time to time. Once again, the game’s setting comes to the rescue, allowing the art design to flourish and concoct environments and locations that are often a joy to behold- at least as long as you’re not zooming into things too much.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is, ultimately, a game with more than enough going for it to make it an easy recommendation. Soulslike veterans looking to continue scratching the genre’s very particular itch find plenty to love here (especially if you crank up the difficulty), while newcomers may have what is probably the best option for someone who is usually daunted by the genre’s traditional approach to difficulty. Fun combat, engaging progression, a great setting, and the excellent Reputation system combine to create what is a solid, undeniably enjoyable action RPG Soulslike that you definitely shouldn’t skip.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

According to the studio, the game demo for Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will take players through some of the earlier parts of the game, allowing them to dip their toes into the story and come to grips with how the game’s weapons and combat work. The demo will also allow players to check out the game’s reputation system and skill trees.

In Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, players will have access to a variety of weapons as they take on the role of protagonist Nor Vanek, who is on a quest to take down rampaging gods that have invaded the world.

Over the weekend, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn also got a trailer announcing its July 18 release date on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is being released next month after a series of delays that pushed it back from 2022, all the way to Summer 2024.

Our Demo is OUT NOW on @Steam 🚨

It’s available to play from today until the 17th of June for #SteamNextFest, and you can also watch the Stream on our Steam Page to see what’s in store.

The Demo takes you through the early portion of the game. Get to grips with your weapons,… pic.twitter.com/LHR9SXcJS8

— Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn 🪓 JULY 18TH! ⚔️ (@PlayFlintlock) June 10, 2024

A new extended gameplay overview was recently released, with creative director Simon Dasan and associate art director Dale Pugh providing commentary. The video provides over nine minutes of gameplay footage, while shedding light on things such as the game’s combat, traversal mechanics, setting, and much more.

While Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is also going to feature Soulslike elements similar to A44’s debut title Ashen, it’s changing things up in a number of other ways- such as the greater emphasis being placed on mobility and traversal.

In combat, players will be using a variety of different weapons, with three different types being available to use at all times- flintlock weapons, melee weapons, and secondary weapons that will use black powder, such as rifles and grenades. Each weapon will also have different modifiers, while different weapon types will also sometimes be more effective against certain enemies- like flintlock pistols being particularly effective against undead foes.

Throughout the course of the game, players will also be setting up caravans at different spots around the world. These will serve as hubs and rest stops where you’ll be able to prepare for the trials ahead, while caravans will also grow and expand over time as you meet and recruit new characters to your cause.

Several other combat mechanics are also detailed, such as critical hits, dodges and parries, and more. One key element that players will have to keep an eye on is Priming, with each enemy having a Priming bar that you’ll have to fill up in various ways in order to be able to deal critical blows. Players will also be accompanied by Enki, a companion who will help out in combat and can be customized with different abilities.

Check out the video below for more details on combat, progression, exploration, quests, bosses, and more.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is due out sometime this Summer for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Developed by A44 Games of Ashen fame, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is about the Door to the Afterlife opening, unleashing the undead. With humanity dwindling, it’s up to the coalition army, specifically protagonist Nor Vanek and her companion Enki, to take on the old God.

Players wield an axe, flintlock pistol and magic to annihilate foes with different combos. There’s also an open world, from ruins to deserts, with secrets and other things to discover (with Enki capable of bounding across certain places). Stay tuned for more details in the coming months, including a firm release date, and check out more gameplay here.

The delay is to ensure that it’s the “absolute best experience it can be at launch,” with the developer working hard at “crafting a unique and deeply detailed open world brimming with thrilling fights, rewarding exploration and a true sense of discovery.” It also promised that there are “exciting things” to show and there will be updates “soon.”

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is in development for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and also launches on day one for Game Pass. It takes place in the City of Dawn, with the Door to the Afterlife opening and an undead army emerging to wreak havoc. You play as Nor Vanek of the coalition army and venture with Enki, your companion, to lay siege to the city.

Along with hack-and-slash combat, Nor can also use magic and firearms. For more details, check out last year’s gameplay trailer and stay tuned for updates.

https://twitter.com/PlayFlintlock/status/1669639853758136323

https://twitter.com/PlayFlintlock/status/1669639855360319489

https://twitter.com/PlayFlintlock/status/1669639856715190280

https://twitter.com/PlayFlintlock/status/1669639858300616704

Along with a powerful axe, Nor also wields flintlock weapons to damage foes at range. She also has Enki, a mystical fox-like being that can slash at foes from afar and suspend them in the air. Enki also helps Nor traverse across distances, which becomes useful when platforming. Enemies range from undead foes to human soldiers that can also use firearms.

Dealing enough damage allows for performing finishers that range from decapitating skeletons to sinking an axe into their sternums. Published by Kepler Interactive, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is out in early 2023 for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. It also launches on day one for Game Pass.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn’s combat is looking like its biggest draw, combining melee action with ranged combat using gunpowder-powered weapons, and a healthy dose of magic and magical abilities thrown in, all against enemies that look perfectly capable of handling what you send their way. The game’s massive battlefields look promising, and its open world is looking like it’ll have plenty of variety where its environments are concerned. Check out the trailer below.

More details on the game have also been provided by its developers in a brief dev interview courtesy of a showing at the PC Gaming Show 2022. Check that out below as well.

Previously set for a 2022 launch, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn has now been delayed to early 2023. It will launch for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and will also be available via Game Pass at launch.

Outside of the initial announcements and the cinematic trailer, however, the developers have been quiet about the progress of the game. Now though, they’re released the first dev diary for it, detailing their progress and revealing intriguing behind-the-scenes details.

In the video, Robert Bruce, the video art director, and Steven Chen, the principal environment artist, showcase the game’s world, talking about the inspiration for the designs. The developers also mention that even though the game is an open world title, it will be divided into three big zones, with each zone having a unique design and architectural style.

Furthermore, the developers have also given everyone a sneak peek at the gods that players will be crossing paths with, with each god having different styles and personalities, being physically huge, and, of course, being a challenge. Check out the video below.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn will release sometime in 2022 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One. It will also be available via Game Pass at launch.

A44 and publisher Kepler Interactive have formally announced Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn (via IGN), an action RPG set in an open world, where players will follow the journey of the character Nor, utilizing her guns, magic, and her trusty animal companion, fighting for the fate of humanity. According to the developer, Flintlock’s open world will feature many varied environments, including “desert sands, cavernous ruins and towering cities filled with secrets.”

“The door to the Afterlife has been opened, allowing the old god’s army of the undead to escape from within,” developer A44 says of the game’s story. “Join Nor Vanek, a member of the coalition army, and her mystical companion Enki, a strange creature gifted with magical powers, as they pursue their personal vendetta against the gods.”

The cinematic announcement trailer shows Nor and her animal companion taking on various enemies, utilizing their weapons and abilities to subdue them. Check it out below.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is due out sometime later this year for PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game will also be available day one on Xbox Game Pass when it launches.