Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War is a dark fantasy strategy game where you take on the role of the Witch Queen, battling an endless undead horde in a bleak world where the gods are either dead or absent. The game features a simple yet engaging gameplay loop of unlocking, upgrading, and deploying units, growing plants for experience bonuses, and uncovering rich lore through conversations with your units.

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War: Review

Introduction

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War is a dark fantasy strategy game that stands as a testament to the power of indie game development. Released in December 2021, this game is the brainchild of Arthur Hiroshi Morishigue Cavalcanti, a solo developer who wore multiple hats—from art and design to programming and writing. The game places players in the role of the Witch Queen Sofia Nitshe, who must defend her kingdom against an endless horde of undead creatures orchestrated by the enigmatic Necroshroom Queen. With its blend of real-time strategy, resource management, and rich narrative elements, Eldritch Lands carves out a unique niche in the crowded strategy genre. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its lasting impact on the gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

The Studio and the Creator’s Vision

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War was developed by Arthur Hiroshi Morishigue Cavalcanti, a solo developer who took on the monumental task of creating a game that spans multiple genres. Cavalcanti’s vision was to craft a dark fantasy world where players could engage in strategic combat while also exploring a richly detailed lore. The game’s development was a labor of love, with Cavalcanti handling nearly every aspect of the project, from programming and art to writing and design. This level of involvement allowed for a cohesive vision but also presented significant challenges, particularly in terms of scope and polish.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Released in 2021, Eldritch Lands entered a gaming landscape dominated by large-scale AAA titles and indie darlings alike. The game’s use of the Unity engine allowed for a visually appealing 2D experience with pixel art aesthetics, a choice that aligned with the game’s dark fantasy themes. The decision to make the game free-to-play likely aimed to attract a broader audience, though it also meant that monetization strategies had to be carefully considered to avoid alienating players.

The game’s release coincided with a surge in interest in strategy and tower defense games, particularly those with rich narrative elements. Titles like Into the Breach and Northgard had demonstrated the potential for strategic gameplay to be paired with compelling storytelling, and Eldritch Lands sought to capitalize on this trend while carving out its own identity.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

The game’s narrative revolves around Sofia Nitshe, the Witch Queen of the Soulspear Kingdom, who must defend her realm against the Necroshroom Queen’s undead horde. The world of Eldritch Lands is a bleak one, where the gods have either abandoned or been killed, leaving humanity to fend for itself. Sofia’s solution to the undead threat is to create an army of homunculi—artificial beings imbued with the memories of the dead—to serve as expendable soldiers.

The game’s plot is delivered through a combination of in-game dialogue, lore entries, and unit conversations. Each of the 12 unlockable units has its own backstory and personality, which are revealed through conversations that unlock as the units level up. This approach allows players to form a deeper connection with their army, understanding their motivations and struggles.

Themes and Dialogue

The game explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cost of war. The homunculi, though artificial, grapple with their existence and the ethics of their creation. Sofia herself is a complex protagonist, whose shadowy motives and questionable actions raise moral dilemmas. The dialogue is written with a dark, often melancholic tone, reflecting the game’s bleak setting.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the narrative is the ambiguity surrounding the Necroshroom Queen and the deeper mysteries of the world. The game leaves many questions unanswered, setting the stage for potential sequels or expansions. The sequel hook is particularly strong, with the final dialogue hinting at unresolved conflicts and future threats.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Eldritch Lands blends real-time strategy with tower defense elements. Players must defend their kingdom by deploying units, managing resources, and strategically positioning their forces. The game’s core loop involves unlocking and upgrading units, each with unique abilities and weaknesses. Players can customize their team to suit their playstyle, whether they prefer heavy-hitting melee units or ranged attackers.

Combat and Character Progression

Combat is fast-paced and requires quick decision-making. Units can be leveled up, unlocking new abilities and conversations. The game’s resource management system is central to its strategy, with players needing to balance the deployment of units with the collection of essence, the currency used to sustain their magic.

One of the game’s standout features is the ability to grow plants that grant experience bonuses. This adds a layer of strategy, as players must decide when to harvest these plants for immediate gains or let them grow for larger rewards.

UI and Innovative Systems

The user interface is clean and intuitive, with clear menus and straightforward controls. The game’s innovative use of unit conversations adds depth to the gameplay, making each unit feel like a unique character rather than just a statistic on a screen.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The lack of clear health indicators for both enemy units and homunculi can make it difficult to gauge the state of the battle. Additionally, the game’s difficulty can be unbalanced at times, with certain units becoming comically overpowered at higher levels.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The world of Eldritch Lands is a dark fantasy realm teetering on the brink of collapse. The setting is rich with lore, from the fallen gods to the mysterious Necroshroom Queen. The game’s atmosphere is enhanced by its pixel art style, which lends a retro feel to the dark and eerie environments.

Visual Direction

The game’s art direction is a highlight, with detailed pixel art that brings the world to life. The character designs are distinctive, and the environments are filled with intricate details that reward exploration. The use of color is particularly effective, with dark, muted tones that reinforce the game’s bleak aesthetic.

Sound Design

The sound design complements the visuals, with a haunting soundtrack that enhances the game’s dark fantasy atmosphere. The music, composed by Eric Matyas, features eerie melodies that evoke a sense of foreboding and urgency. Sound effects are used sparingly but effectively, with the clash of swords and the rustling of undead hordes adding to the immersive experience.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War received a largely positive reception from players, with a 93% positive rating on Steam based on 32 reviews. Critics praised the game’s unique blend of strategy and narrative, as well as its rich world-building and atmospheric design. The game’s free-to-play model likely contributed to its accessibility, allowing a wider audience to experience its offerings.

Influence and Impact

The game’s influence can be seen in its sequel hooks and the potential for future expansions. The unresolved mysteries and the game’s dark fantasy setting leave room for further exploration, and the positive reception suggests that players are eager for more. The game’s success also highlights the potential for solo developers to create compelling experiences that rival larger studio titles.

Conclusion

Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War is a standout title in the strategy genre, offering a rich blend of gameplay, narrative, and world-building. Arthur Hiroshi Morishigue Cavalcanti’s solo effort is a testament to the power of indie game development, demonstrating that a small team—or even a single developer—can create a game that resonates with players. The game’s dark fantasy setting, complex characters, and strategic depth make it a memorable experience, and its sequel hooks leave players eager for more.

In the annals of video game history, Eldritch Lands stands as a testament to the potential of indie games to push boundaries and tell compelling stories. Its place in the strategy genre is secure, and its legacy will likely grow as players continue to explore its mysteries and await future installments. For those seeking a dark, engaging, and strategically challenging experience, Eldritch Lands: The Witch Queen’s Eternal War is a must-play.