Legends of the Round Table is Pentiment if it had Arthurian turn-based combat and there’s a gorgeous demo out now

Back at it again, sounding the Steam demo-sphere for gems and I stumbled across Legends of the Round Table. Developed by Artifice Studio, it’s a historical turn-based, story-rich RPG that drinks from the rich cup of Arthurian legend. Come for the illuminated manuscript art style, stay for the in-depth turn-based combat.

With cameos from various members of Knights of the Round Table the demo charts the early chapters of Arthur’s ascent to the throne. You’ll visit Londinium, mooch through some tutorials, dabble in some squad-based RPG scraps, and if you’re anything like me end up forking out for the full game, which launched May 13.

It reminds me of Obsidian’s Pentiment, not least because of the tapestry-like art that is hand-drawn using realistic era-appropriate illuminated manuscript techniques. It’s gorgeous in the kind of almost-overbearingly vibrant style of the period. Playing feels like you’re diving into a tome gathering dust in a crumbling abbey tucked away in a leafy hamlet. As the Steam blurb explains, “The game’s visuals are inspired by XIIIth century illuminated manuscripts and the environments have been hand-drawn by medieval specialists following authentic medieval painting techniques, remaining true to the tools, dyes and colors that were available in that period.”

Throw in a soundtrack adapted from genuine 13th-century musical compositions recorded using period-accurate instruments – lutes, viols, and harps – and Legends of the Round Table nails its atmosphere. Not to mention the haunting vocal work from singer Anne Azéma of the Boston Camerata. All the action and story beats are paced to the utterings of a narrator that gives the game a storybook quality. It heightens the sense of diving into the legend, especially when you get to play as Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Sir Percival.

Though this is just the demo, the depth of Legends of the Round Table is on full display. The turn-based combat unfolds on a hex grid where you take turns swinging swords in honorable and not so honorable duels, lodging lances into mounted knights, and passing ‘challenge’ skill checks by dipping a deck of cards with various effects. It’s loosely reminiscent of the excellent Banner Saga. Each Knight also has a set of evolving traits – strengths, weaknesses, social preferences, and desires – that affect how and if they can handle challenges in combat or otherwise. 

Actions have consequences too with every decision affecting honor, relationships, and the wider fate of the realm. It’s dense, strategic, number-heavy stuff, and there are these lovely little eureka moments when the pieces start to fall into place. If this all sounds like your bag, then I recommend giving the demo a whirl.