Warhaven: Everything We Know

The Medieval gaming genre has been done many times before. Its setting can be found in a variety of MMOs, RPGs, and fighting games that look to place you right in the middle of the action. While there have been some excellent titles in the MMO and RPG genres and sub-genres, Medieval fighting games have yet to be exhausted. The Chivalry series has been dominating the space for some time, alongside Mordhau for those who are looking for a bit more of a competitive edge. And now a new player will soon join the fray: Warhaven.

This new Medieval fantasy game took over back in September 2022 with its free-to-play beta test. However, since then, it’s flown well under the radar. That was until it made a surprise appearance with a new teaser trailer at the Summer Games Fest 2023. Now with a new open demo up for grabs during Steam Next Fest from June 19 – 26 and a tentative release date of Fall 2023, it’s time to learn everything there is to know about Warhaven. So keep reading to find out!

What is Warhaven?

Warhaven is a free-to-play PvP medieval fantasy combat game developed by Nexon. You compete in 16-v-16 matches in which you seize and push control of territory with the goal of conquering or defending all of the enemy’s zones. Players can choose from one of six characters, such as melee sword fighters to ranged archers and mages. Each character comes with its own unique set of weapons, attacks, and abilities.

The most intriguing part of all, however, is the ability to play as special “Immortal” classes. While gaining points and slaying enemies, you’ll charge up your Immortal bar, and when it’s full, you’ll be able to morph into an incredibly powerful champion to help turn the tide of battle. Each character has a unique “Immortal”, with their own distinct powers, that they can morph into.

Story

Since Warhaven is a PvP-focused title, there isn’t much news to shed story-wise. The game’s Steam page states, “Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Warhaven, which blends the medieval and modern to create a fantasy world unlike any other. Dive into the rich lore of Herarth and discover its history, which draws from diverse real-world cultures for everything from armor design to mythological creatures.”

So, while there is no direct story woven into the gameplay, there is a general plot. The world we’ll be playing in is called Herarth, and each character’s backstory will have some lore to it. Which I’m sure we’ll learn more about when the full game is released.

Gameplay

Warhaven’s intense 32-player battles will see you fighting in massive melee brawls around the POI, as well as life-or-death duels on the objectives sideline. Typically, the swordsman and bruiser hammer classes are at the forefront of the battle. While archers and mages stay on the edges, focusing on healing and picking off weak targets. Cannons, ballistae, and war machines will also help the defenders. One of the more visually appealing aspects is that when enemies are killed, they dissipate into a stone explosion.

As of now, it appears that there are two game modes: Dominion and Skirmish. In Dominion, you capture different footholds scattered across the map, and in Skirmish you fight around a central foothold.

Nonetheless, the third-person fighting gameplay appears to be a bit slower and heavier, with the overall combat system best described as a simplified version of For Honors. Melee characters have a variety of slashing, stabbing, and overhead attacks at their disposal. Furthermore, each class has two class abilities. As a result, to find an even composition on the battlefield, you’ll need a good mix of Damage, Tank, and Healers.

Development

Nexon is at the hands of Warhavens development. They’re most well-known for developing MapleStory. Safe to say, Warhaven doesn’t fall into the same scope as MapleStory. So, it will be interesting to see the finished product, as the third-person medieval PvP genre appears to be new territory for the studio. Nonetheless, we’ll be able to get a good idea of how the game plays over its free demo during Steam Next Fest, which runs from June 19 to June 26.

Yes, that means the game will have a week-long free-to-play demo from June 19 – 26. And it’s most likely the last time the game will receive another global playtest until launch. So, make sure you’ve got Warhaven wishlisted on Steam so you don’t miss out.

Trailer

Of course, the reason we’re talking about the game is because of the excitement generated by the new Warhaven teaser trailer, which was shown at the Summer Game Fest 2023. In it, we get a good look at the classes, combat, and the “Immortal” heroes we can morph into. Overall, the presentation is appealing and has surely piqued our interest in what’s to come.

Also, don’t forget to tune into the Warhaven presentations during the Future Games Show on June 10 and the PC Gaming Show on June 11th. Both presentations offer an in-depth look at the gameplay from the developers.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

As of right now, Warhaven has a tentative release date of Fall 2023. Furthermore, the game is only set to release on PC via Steam. Although we wouldn’t be surprised if the launch is a huge success, console editions will likely follow soon after. However, that’s purely speculation.

Nonetheless, stay tuned to Gaming.net as we’ll be covering all the latest updates and developments on Warhaven when it sheds.

So, what do you think about the upcoming Warhaven? Will you be playing its free-to-play demo from June 19 to June 26th during Steam Next Fest? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.