Russian game development outlet, Unfrozen Studios, has announced that they have a new game in the works called Iratus: Lord of the Dead. The game’s ominous sounding name isn’t just there for looks and appellation points, it actually plays into the game’s dark theme of playing as Iratus, the villain.

You’ll be a commander and lord over the dead, raising a veritably dangerous group of ghouls, goblins, and necromancers who will attempt to wipe out and kill heroes and adventurers that dare step into your domain.

The story centers around a felled necromancer who eventually returns from the dead to spite the living. He puts together his own group of villains to wipe out heroes and attempt to reign supreme over the land of the beating hearts.

Denis Fedorov, the lead developer at Unfrozen Studios, explained in the press release that…

“We wanted to create something that was unique but familiar at the same time and so we created a combat system that on the surface players will be right at home with but once in, you’ll see things you were expecting and unique twists thoughout the mechanics.”

The game utilizes a turned-based combat system identical to Red Hook Studios’ Darkest Dungeon. The imitation is obviously a form of flattery, and it seems to fit well within the theme that Unfrozen Studios is gunning for with Iratus: Lord of the Dead.

Given that Iratus’ minions are those who walk among the living as the undead, it means that they won’t succumb to the treachery of fear and loathing. Instead, players get to inflict the burdens of morale upon their foes like a yoke around the neck of a belabored ox.

Depending on the skills and abilities you employ will determine how much of an affect you’ll have on the mental integrity of your foes.

The morale system in Iratus goes a bit further than weakening stats of your opponents, though. You’ll be able to use fear as a weapon, forcing your adversaries to drop their weapons and flee in terror or even eventually succumb to the weight of dread… and die.

Instead of collecting coin and loot like most traditional games you’ll need to recoup the body parts of your enemy combatants and revitalize the fighting spirit of your undead army. The more parts and pieces you collect the stronger you can make both Iratus and his minions.

Iratus: Lord of the Dead sports permadeath, 50 different minion talents, three types of necromancer talent trees, and mechanics designed by Oles Ivanchenko.

I’m looking forward to the first major gameplay video once it arrives.