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Behemoth: Rise of Shadow is an epic and immersive co-operative adventure game with elements of deck building, exploration and innovative AI mechanics that adapts to players actions.
The game is set in a fantastic future - the story starts in year 2065, when Nyx awoke out of nowhere. We are now in year 2265, and we believe her to be an ancient goddess of Shadow.
Since her rise, she has been corrupting Earth...turning life and the very elements that constitute it, into shadow.
Human civilization as we know it, has been wiped out.
Surviving humans live on the Behemoth, a mastodontical magical rhyno, in close relationship with magical beasts.
A small group of people and beasts plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of life, and constitute the last bit of hope.
Those are the rangers and their companion beasts, that wander through the corrupted land to fight the shadow, rescue other beasts and protect the journey of the Behemoth.
—description from the designer
- Innovative moving platform mechanic that reshapes strategy
- Dynamic pathing from a movable board adds depth and variability
- Active integration of playtester feedback from a live expo setting
- Prototype shows rough UI/graphics and some unfinished components
- Early complexity could challenge casual players if not balanced thoughtfully
- Cooperation, exploration, adaptive strategy
- Cooperative fantasy/adventure setting with a modular board and moving elements
- Asymmetric-to-symmetric character dynamics; emphasis on player-driven depth and escalation
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Asymmetric character abilities (with planned symmetry) — Characters start with unique powers; balance intends to move toward greater symmetry in the final design.
- Asymmetric Player Powers — Characters start with unique powers; balance intends to move toward greater symmetry in the final design.
- Depth vs. accessibility scaling — Design supports a simpler play experience without sacrificing core depth for more advanced play.
- Modular Board — Locations shift over time, changing available routes and strategic considerations.
- Modular board with dynamic paths — Locations shift over time, changing available routes and strategic considerations.
- Moving platform / moving component (B mod) — A central moving piece that players can interact with; its movement alters how players access different areas and how combat or objectives resolve.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a heavier game for sure
- the game can be played in a simpler way without compromising depth
- we want to make it beautiful and practical
- it's tricky because there are different things so you want to make it beautiful you want to make it handy
- I give myself six months notice
- Game Play Wise, 90% there
- the idea is then to go live at a certain point next year