Last night I watched the Alkahest teaser trailer way more times than I should have. This new RPG, inspired by the cult classic Dark Messiah: Might and Magic, released a gameplay teaser that’s got the internet wondering if we’re seeing genuine gameplay or just another cinematic trick.
Alkahest first caught attention with its announcement trailer last year. It was flashy, full of slick combat animations and fluid character movements that reminded many of the swashbuckling charm Dark Messiah is known for. But there was some scepticism because the developer, Push On, admitted parts of the trailer were pre-rendered, specifically some camera angles and animations crafted for spectacle.
The new teaser trailer, just over forty seconds long, shows the player character rushing toward a cliffside fortress, dodging arrows, sliding into position, and performing a midair barrel roll before engaging in sword fights with goblins. It looks fantastic. However, many YouTube viewers quickly called it “a cinematic disguised as gameplay,” since it looks very similar to the previous trailer.
There’s a split in opinion. One commenter pointed out that the animations have the smoothness of preprogrammed sequences, not something a player would pull off live with a controller. Meanwhile, another user argued that the small slips and transitions resemble actual gameplay, with natural imperfections from blending animations.
Watching the trailer repeatedly, I lean toward the latter view. While some moments, like the barrel grab midair, could be scripted, the combat flow feels dynamic. The way the player slices and kicks goblins, the enemy reactions, and the multiple attack combos suggest this could happen within the game engine in real time.
The trailer also hints at an unseen archer companion who fires arrows on command, adding a tactical layer to combat. I love the detail of the shield breaking apart under arrow fire—it adds a nice touch of realism. Though I hope kicks feel more impactful when the game is released. Sending goblins flying is a must-have!
It’s worth noting that Alkahest now has a reputable publisher, HypeTrain Digital, which backs other solid indie titles like Voidtrain and Breathedge. This gives me some confidence that the game won’t be a flashy but hollow experience like The Day Before.
The Steam page mentions an alchemy system too, letting players craft magical potions. I secretly hope for a slippery ice potion replicating those hilarious moments in Dark Messiah where orcs slide off cliffs. There’s no release date yet, but I’m happy for Push On to take their time making this the spiritual successor Dark Messiah deserves.
What do you think? Does the trailer look like real gameplay, or is it just another cinematic tease? I’m curious to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
