A Fresh Take on Dungeon Crawling
Certain gameplay concepts have an immediate way of capturing attention, and the ability to turn enemies against one another using their own body parts is certainly one of them. This is exactly why Heathen, an upcoming independent dungeon crawler, has rapidly jumped to the top of many wishlists after its latest trailer showcased the ability to defeat foes by hurling the severed heads of their companions at them.
Developed by solo creator Christopher Yabsley, Heathen reimagines the addictive loop of monster-slaying and loot-collecting found in titles like Diablo, but transitions the experience into an immersive first-person perspective. The game is set in the fantasy settlement of Saltgrave, where the player descends into a sprawling underground labyrinth, eventually confronting an "ancient horror" in a journey framed as a "descent into madness."
Tactile and Visceral Combat
The centerpiece of the recent trailer is a newly implemented dismemberment system. Yabsley notes that this addition has significantly improved the "feel" of wielding swords and axes. For fans of first-person melee titles like Dark Messiah of Might and Magic or Warhammer: Vermintide 2—the latter being a noted influence on the game—Heathen’s combat appears remarkably polished and tactile. Achieving satisfying first-person swordplay is a significant challenge, especially for a solo developer, yet the game’s frenetic hacking and slashing makes a strong first impression.
Strategic Dismemberment
According to Yabsley, dismemberment serves a greater purpose than mere aesthetic brutality. As players progress further into the dungeon and face more grotesque adversaries, removing appendages becomes a strategic necessity for survival. As Yabsley explains in the trailer:
«Imagine fighting some many-limbed creature, and you have to chop it all apart just to keep it from killing you.»
Weaponized Combat and Multiplayer
Perhaps the most exciting reveal in the footage occurs when Yabsley decapitates an undead archer and proceeds to kick the head across the battlefield. He highlights the high skill ceiling of this mechanic:
«If you're skilful enough, you can chop the head of a monster, kick it midair, and then kill another monster with it.»
This level of emergent, reactive combat is precisely what draws players to the genre. Beyond the gore, the ARPG foundations—such as treasure chests bursting with loot and town-portal mechanics—already feel familiar and refined. The project also carries a personal touch; Yabsley has cited his childhood memories of playing Diablo with his mother as a major inspiration. Reflecting this, Heathen is confirmed to feature online co-op when it eventually hits early access. While an official release date remains pending, the game is one to watch for fans of tactical, visceral action.