A Tale About

Loss, Duty and Resilience

BlackThorne Keep is a narrative action RPG set in a fictional world inspired by the South American colonial era and the Brazilian imperial period - a reimagination of what the Americas would have been like if they had gone through a medieval age. In this setting, the player is introduced to an innovative combat system that blends traditional RPG mechanics with directional combat, deck-building systems, and an engaging, branching narrative about duty, greed and mourning. Come explore this new world as Athos BlackThorne, a man cursed by time itself.

You are Athos, the last lord
of the BlackThorne Fortress.

The end of the Year at BlackThorne Keep is marked by the Wild Heart Festival - a grand celebration to honor the harvest and renew bonds of affection and alliances. Athos has ruled the castle for 18 years, ever since he took the title of marquis and married Aida, one of the leaders of the region's native peoples of the region in an attempt to achieve peace. But some say that on that day Athos sealed his fate.

Caught in a web of intrigue, Athos has only 24 hours to free himself of the forces that want to overthrow him and ensure the safety of his family and the people he swore to protect. To do so, he turns to a dangerous ally: an artifact of the Ancient Peoples that can grant him the power to defeat his enemies - but at what price?

To truly overcome the curse of the Thorn Artifact Athos will need to learn to let go.

A medieval world like never before

What would the Americas look like if colonization has taken place a thousand years earlier? What would a medieval colonial world be like? With these questions in mind, Blackthorne Keep was created, drawing parallels between the history and culture of the Americas - especially South America - and medieval Europe, bringing to life a fantastic and unique medieval world.

Inspired by classics such as “The Lord Of The Rings” and “Game of Thrones”, but also by “Dom Casmurro” and “One hundred years of Solitude” - among many others, BlackThorne Keep takes on the challenge of creating a medieval (de)colonial world. A setting where we can imagine a different history, while still addressing themes relevant to the cultures of the global south today.

A Unique Combat System - inspired by Classic CRPGs and Tabletop RPGs

BlackThorne Keep draws inspiration from RPG classics such as “The Witcher”, “Kingdom Come: Deliverance”, “Mount And Blade” and “For Honor”, seeking to merge the thrill of active and directional combat with a deep and immersive narrative. Additionally, the game introduces a card-based character evolution system, adding an interactive and strategic layer to the traditional RPG level-up mechanics.

Media

Videos

Castle Garden

Check our combat teaser 2024!

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Athos Combat

BlackThorne Keep at Cultura Milanesa

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Combat

Check out our conversation about RPG and Video Game at Perdidos no Play

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Castle

All about the development of Blackthorne Keep at Vale Geek!

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Castle

Art and Research, Blackthorne Keep interview at Gamescom Latam

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Castle

Alpha Gameplay Trailer 2023

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FAQ

  • What is BlackThorne Keep?

    BlackThorne Keep is a single-player, narrative-focused Dark Fantasy RPG game under development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox.

  • Is BlackThorne Multiplayer? It has cooperative mode?

    Not at the moment, but we don't rule it out for the future.

  • Is BlackThorne a AAA game?

    No. BlackThorne Keep is an indie game, started being developed by a single person between 2021 and 2022. We count on the help of the community to support the project.

  • Is BlackThorne Keep a Souls Like?

    Not exactly a souls like. BlackThorne Keep has elements of souls like, but has a lot of influence on games like For Honor, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and The Witcher. However, the proposal for a more merciless combat is very close to the experience of a souls like.

  • Why is the name of the game in English?

    Like other international games (example: The Witcher and Kingdom Come: Deliverance), Blackthorne Keep was designed to reach a global audience. However, the game will have a special title in Portuguese, which will be revealed soon!

  • Is the game historical?

    Not exactly. The game takes place in a fictional version of South America, imagining what the region would be like if it had been colonized a thousand years earlier. It's a mix of fantasy with historical influences.

  • Who is the creator of BlackThorne Keep?

    BlackThorne Keep was designed by Roberto F. Garcia Jr over almost 20 years of tabletop RPG campaigns. In 2020, Roberto began adapting his notes and stories into a video game. In 2022, Limiar Studios was founded with the intention of taking BlackThorne Keep beyond a solitary project.

  • Will we have BlackThorne Keep in other media too? Which ones?

    BlackThorne Keep is inspired by an yet unpublished tabletop RPG, and there are plans to expand the Blackthorne Keep universe into other media such as comics, books, and even an animated series in the future. This will depend on the success of the game and the support of the community.

  • What impact do you intend to make with the game?

    In addition to offering a unique, narrative-rich fantasy experience, the game aims to highlight issues such as cultural and historical preservation. Part of the game's revenue will be directed to projects that support indigenous people and promote the appreciation of Brazilian and South American culture.

  • What sets BlackThorne Keep apart from other RPGs?

    • A unique setting inspired by South America.
    • Decolonial narrative that critically addresses issues such as territorial disputes, genocide of indigenous people, African diaspora and ancestry.
    • Innovative directional combat that mixes strategy and skill.
    • Authentic representation of South American cultures and historical elements.

  • You talk about the game being decolonial, what does that actually mean?

    Being decolonial means looking at the tropes of medieval fantasy from a different point of view than the traditional European one. The game presents stories and issues that refer to Brazil and Latin America, such as indigenous territorial disputes, genocide, slavery and other important themes from the formation of the global south. It's a vision that offers familiarity to fantasy fans, but with a more authentic, critic and specific look at our reality.

  • What elements does the game present that are familiar to Brazilians?

    • Indigenous architecture, such as tabas, malocas and shabonos. Colonial architecture, such as townhouses and churches.
    • Landscapes reminiscent of Serra do Espinhaço, Pico das Agulhas Negras and Brazilian biomes.
    • Cultures and customs inspired by indigenous people and the colonial period.
    • Vegetation such as Ipês, coconut trees and banana trees, present in scenes familiar to the Brazilian public.

  • Which people will be represented within the game?

    The game features fictional people inspired by the Incas, Aztecs, Mayans, indigenous people from Brazil and indigenous people from other regions of the world, as well as the indegenous people from Yakutia in Siberia, the Maori from New Zealand, etc. Each group is represented based on in-depth cultural research, respecting their roots and characteristics.

  • Will we have folklore represented in the game?

    Yes, elements of Brazilian folklore are present in stories and references, but without the obvious clichés. For example, we will bring allusions in the form of Easter eggs to beings from Brazilian folklore in a subtle way so that players who understand these references will notice which folklore beings will be in the game.