Prepare for a challenging and feature-rich descent into the unknown as you dive headlong into Empyreal.
Empyreal, the highly anticipated action RPG from developer Silent Games and publisher Secret Mode, has launched today. This complex adventure is available right now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, inviting players to uncover profound secrets for £24.99 / $29.99 USD.
Set on a hitherto unexplored planet in a far-flung corner of the galaxy, Empyreal begins with the arrival of an Expedition team at a colossal, ancient Monolith. Built by a long-lost civilisation, this structure is far from dormant, filled with danger the Expedition is ill-equipped to handle.
That’s where you come in – an elite mercenary hired to succeed where others have failed and unearth revelations that could transform our understanding of humanity itself.
Master Skill-Based Combat & Deep Customisation
Empyreal promises a demanding experience that rewards mastery and strategic thinking. At its heart lies a unique blend of RPG systems and skill-based combat.
You’ll need to master the flow of battle with perfectly timed attacks, deflects, and parries. Choose one of three distinct weapon archetypes – the versatile Glaive, the defensive Mace & Shield, or the powerful ranged Cannon – each offering a unique core move set and playstyle.
Enhance your chosen approach by finding powerful new Equipment, adjusting your stats via an extensive modification system, and unlocking dozens of Abilities with diverse effects ranging from damage and defence to mobility and utility. Many abilities gain additional effects when perfectly timed, further rewarding skilled play.
Character creation offers deep customisation, or choose from 30 presets, with your chosen background providing a unique backstory and occasional special dialogue options.
The Cartogram System: Charting Endless Challenges
One of Empyreal’s most unique features is the Cartogram system. These ancient artifacts act as blueprints or keys to access the hand-designed levels within the Monolith’s four Quadrants. Crucially, each Cartogram possesses randomly generated attributes that dictate key aspects of the level you enter:
- What enemies you’ll face.
- What loot might drop.
- How many lives (Reset Charges) you get.
- What elemental resistances are required.
- And much more!
This means every venture into a specific area can feel different depending on the Cartogram used. Each Cartogram also culminates in an epic boss battle, with the loot table and drop chances defined by the artifact itself, allowing you to target specific gear you might need for future, more dangerous Cartograms.
A Living Expedition & Asynchronous Connections
While Empyreal is a single-player game, you’re not entirely alone. The Expedition hub is filled with a memorable cast of characters, each with their own personal questline featuring multiple endings based on your choices and actions – fail entirely, and you might miss out on powerful rewards.
Furthermore, asynchronous multiplayer features allow you to feel the presence of other players within the Monolith. The ‘Into the Aether’ feature lets you gift high-rarity gear through dimensional tears after boss fights; the item arrives “Aether Touched” for another player, boasting significantly boosted stats.
You can also gift vital Reset Charges to players on the brink of failure, buy and sell Cartograms at a Trading Post, and send items directly via an in-game mail system.
Empyreal was recently highlighted as one of the potential heavy hitters arriving this month in our article, 15 NEW Xbox Games Due to Release in May 2025 That Will BLOW YOUR MIND!. We’ll find out if it does indeed do that in full review, coming very soon.
Key Features
- Complex Action RPG: Skill-based combat requiring timed attacks, parries, and deflects.
- Three Weapon Archetypes: Choose between Glaive, Mace & Shield, or Cannon.
- Deep Customisation: Extensive gear modification, vast ability selection, character creation & backgrounds.
- Unique Cartogram System: Randomises enemies, loot, and challenges within hand-designed levels.
- Epic Boss Battles: Defined by the Cartograms used to access them.
- Engaging NPC Questlines: Multiple endings based on player choice.
- Asynchronous Multiplayer: Gift items (‘Into the Aether’), trade Cartograms, send mail.
- Beautiful Shattered World: Explore breathtaking Monolith environments filled with secrets.
Ready to Uncover the Truth?
Empyreal promises a deep, challenging, and feature-rich action RPG experience for players seeking intricate combat and meaningful customisation.
If you’re ready to test your skills against ancient automatons and uncover universe-altering secrets, it’s available right now on the Xbox Store (and PS5/PC) for £24.99 / $29.99 USD.
Venture into the Monolith today…
Empyreal Description
Empyreal is a complex, challenging, feature-rich action RPG. In a far-flung corner of the galaxy an Expedition arrives on a hitherto unexplored planet to find a colossal Monolith built by a lost civilisation. These are no mere ruins: the Monolith is filled with danger, and the Expedition is ill-equipped to unearth the secrets within. All eyes turn towards an elite mercenary who may succeed where others have failed. Venture inside the Monolith and face the automatons that yet remain, remnants of the impossibly ancient civilisation that built this unknowable structure. Survive and uncover revelations that transform our understanding of humanity itself.
