Ukrainian indie team Effort 2 Pixel has unveiled Anchorite: Heritage Ascension, a new dark fantasy CRPG built around turn-based combat and a non-linear narrative. The announcement was accompanied by the project’s first cinematic teaser, with the game currently being developed in Unreal Engine 5.
Anchorite: Heritage Ascension originally began around a year ago as a small passion project developed in the team’s spare time. Its scope has since expanded, with a small Ukrainian team now working on the title. The developers include both experienced industry professionals and team members working on their first game.
The newly released footage is a cinematic teaser rather than a gameplay showcase. Effort 2 Pixel intends to reveal more of the actual gameplay as development progresses.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is among the inspirations behind Anchorite: Heritage Ascension, particularly when it comes to its turn-based tactical combat. Positioning, environmental elements and party composition are expected to play an important role during encounters.
Effort 2 Pixel is also building its own dark fantasy setting around a non-linear story. Player decisions will influence the direction of the narrative as well as relationships with companions, whose beliefs and priorities may conflict with those of the protagonist.
Settlement development will form another part of Anchorite: Heritage Ascension. Players will be able to rebuild their base, recruit allies and strengthen their position in the game’s world, adding a management layer alongside exploration, narrative choices and tactical combat.
Anchorite: Heritage Ascension remains in active development, with previously shared material coming from a pre-alpha version of the game. As a result, its current features and presentation may change substantially before release.
Effort 2 Pixel has not announced a release date. Anchorite: Heritage Ascension already has a Steam page and can be wishlisted, while a more detailed gameplay reveal is expected to provide a clearer look at how its combat, exploration and settlement systems come together.
