Wolcen Studio Unveils Wolcen 2 Gameplay Trailer at Future Games Show
If you’re a fan of Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, this year’s Future Games Show offered a fresh reason to pay attention: Wolcen Studio used the event to reveal a short gameplay trailer for Wolcen 2, its action RPG sequel to the 2020 game.
Key takeaways
- Wolcen 2 is an action RPG continuation of Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, shown with a brief gameplay trailer at this year’s Future Games Show.
- The sequel is scheduled to arrive in Early Access in 2027, with no more specific release window provided yet.
- Gameplay will support solo play or co-op with up to four players, with combat built around weapon unlocks and flexible passive power customization.
- Combat is described as fast and brutal, with a Shadow Form option meant to significantly boost the character in the toughest encounters.
- Endgame plans include dynamically generated battlefields for faction territory fights and a Tower of Wonders system tied to difficulty and rewards.
- Wolcen 2 is built on Unreal Engine 5 and uses a peer-to-peer networking approach with a host player to reduce reliance on dedicated servers.
Izometric ARPG story set after Lords of Mayhem
Wolcen 2 will be an isometric action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. The story takes place after the events of Lords of Mayhem, though the studio says prior knowledge of the first game won’t be required to understand what’s happening.
In the sequel’s setting, the world is teetering on the brink of destruction. The narrative follows Hegemon’s forced return from exile—he’s described as the bastard of the Dark God—who, together with companions, becomes entangled in a Prophecy that promises salvation for reality at the cost of a sacrifice.
Co-op up to four, no fixed classes, and a bigger focus on endgame
The adventure can be tackled alone or with friends in co-op for up to four players. Like the original, Wolcen 2 won’t rely on rigid class roles. Instead, players unlock abilities through weapons, while specializations, modifiers, and an expanded passive power tree are intended to let you tailor your build to your playstyle.
Wolcen Studio is positioning the combat around fast, brutal fights against varied enemies and powerful bosses. For especially difficult moments, players will be able to use Shadow Form, which the developers say will significantly increase the hero’s combat capabilities.
Beyond the campaign, the studio says endgame will include dynamically generated battlefields where factions fight over territories. It also plans a Tower of Wonders feature that lets players influence both difficulty and the rewards they receive.
Unreal Engine 5, revised multiplayer, and lessons from the first game
Technology is a major part of Wolcen 2’s pitch. The sequel will run on Unreal Engine 5, while the first Wolcen used an older CryEngine version. The studio also rebuilt networking systems for the new release.
For multiplayer, Wolcen 2 will use a peer-to-peer setup with one player acting as the host. The goal is to limit dependence on dedicated servers and help the game remain playable with co-op support over the long term.
These changes are particularly relevant given the history of Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. The original game aimed to challenge the Diablo series, but ultimately didn’t meet all expectations. The studio ended active development and shut off multiplayer, explaining that the technical foundation wasn’t sufficient to provide long-term support without a major rebuild.
Even so, the developers describe the first Wolcen as an unexpected commercial success. They also acknowledge that communication with the community fell short during development. For the sequel, the studio says it wants stronger player involvement through regular playtests and feedback collection.
Wolcen 2 also won’t be handled by the exact same team that made Lords of Mayhem. The studio has changed significantly over the years, but plans to apply what it learned from the first game.
Early Access on PC in 2027; full release planned for PC and current-gen consoles
The first major test of those promises will come with Steam Early Access on PC in 2027. During that period, the team says it will focus on balancing, performance, and refining the game based on community feedback.
When the full version launches, it’s planned for PC and current-generation consoles. After release, Wolcen 2 is expected to continue receiving updates including story content, activities, and optional cosmetic elements.
