Wizards of the Coast and Invoke Studios have finally given fans a proper look at Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons, with the upcoming action-adventure receiving its first gameplay reveal during Gamescom Opening Night. The new footage gives us a much better idea of what to expect from the D&D-inspired adventure, including its dark fantasy world, magic-focused combat, and the story surrounding its protagonist, Kaatri.
Warlock puts players in the role of Kaatri, a veteran weapons master who enters into a dangerous pact with the powerful witch queen Tasha. Played by Tricia Helfer, Kaatri is searching for someone important to her when she finds herself drawn into the mysterious world of Darkon. Tasha, voiced by Maggie Robertson, becomes Kaatri’s patron and gives her access to Raw Magic, allowing her abilities to grow and change throughout the adventure.
The gameplay reveal showed off how magic will be at the centre of both combat and exploration. Kaatri can use familiar D&D spells such as Eldritch Blast, Gust of Wind, Levitate and Black Tentacles, while also gaining new abilities connected to Tasha. Rather than simply being attacks that are used against enemies, spells can be used creatively to interact with the environment. Black Tentacles, for example, can control enemies in combat but can also help Kaatri reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
Combat also combines Kaatri’s magical abilities with her skills as a weapons master. As a Pact of the Blade Warlock, she can summon weapons and switch between melee attacks and spells during encounters. The developers have made it clear that Warlock isn’t attempting to recreate the tabletop game rule-for-rule, meaning there won’t be dice rolls. Instead, Invoke Studios is taking the flexibility and creativity of D&D’s magic system and adapting it into a real-time action experience.
The adventure takes place in Darkon, one of D&D’s Domains of Dread, rather than the more familiar Forgotten Realms. Darkon is described as a dangerous, unsettling land left without its Dark Lord, leaving the world on the brink of chaos. Kaatri will explore the region alongside Skev, an imp companion who can help her understand the strange world around her.
Progression will also be tied heavily to exploration. Players can discover sources of Raw Magic throughout Darkon, allowing them to upgrade and adapt their spells to suit different playstyles. Kaatri can also find and improve weapons, potions, and other equipment as she progresses. The developers are encouraging players to explore rather than follow a heavily guided path, with the game featuring a deliberately minimal map designed to encourage discovery.
While today’s reveal didn’t provide a specific release date, Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons is currently scheduled to launch in 2027. The game is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. With today’s gameplay footage finally showing how Invoke Studios plans to bring D&D’s magic and freedom into a modern action-adventure, Warlock is certainly shaping up to be one of the more interesting upcoming D&D games.
