Fit check
Is The Hand of Merlin worth it for you?
We tell you who should skip it, too.
Play it if you…
Good fit- Arthurian fantasy fans who want a cosmic-horror setting
- Strategy players who prefer turn-based squad combat
- RPG players who enjoy permanent choices and procedurally changing journeys
Skip it if you…
Saves you a refund- Players seeking a linear campaign with reversible decisions may find the permanent choices restrictive.
- Players who prefer relaxed combat may find the tactical battles and permanent character deaths demanding.
- Players looking for real-time action rather than turn-based encounters will need a different format.
Our take on The Hand of Merlin
Permanent choices and character deaths define each journey: decisions remain fixed, and a fallen hero does not return during that run. The shifting rulers, encounters, and events of parallel worlds make each passage through the campaign structurally distinct.
What is The Hand of Merlin?
The Hand of Merlin is a turn-based rogue-lite RPG combining Arthurian legend with cosmic horror.
Lead a group of up to three mortal heroes from Albion toward Jerusalem, choosing routes, negotiating, trading, and facing interactive encounters whose outcomes change between journeys. Squad combat uses cover, ambushes, coordinated attacks, and class synergies against human and demonic enemies. Heroes can gain levels, skills, equipment, relics, and spells, while Soulstones preserve arcane knowledge across dimensions. Permanent choices and character death shape each run. Parallel worlds alter rulers, characters, events, and encounters, while towns and wilderness artisans offer ways to improve equipment. The campaign spans Albion, Marca Hispanica, and Al-Andalus as the party searches for fragments of Merlin’s soul.
How The Hand of Merlin plays
- 01Three-Hero Companies
- Each journey supports a party of up to three mortal characters whose classes and skills can be combined.
- 02Tactical Turn Combat
- Battles use cover, ambushes, coordinated attacks, and class interactions against human and demonic opponents.
- 03Changing Dimensions
- Parallel worlds can have different rulers, encounters, characters, and events.
- 04Permanent Consequences
- Choices remain fixed and fallen heroes do not return during the current journey.
- 05Hero Progression
- Renown grants level increases with randomized skill or attribute options.
- 06Persistent Arcane Knowledge
- Collected Soulstones unlock spells, while magical knowledge remains with the spirit after defeat.
The Hand of Merlin compared to similar games
Shogun Showdown also uses turn-based rogue-like combat, but focuses on positioning, attack tiles, skill selection, and deck construction before facing the Shogun. The Hand of Merlin instead combines squad tactics with up to three heroes, branching encounters, equipment, spells, and changing parallel-world events.
The Hand of Merlin: platforms & release
Is The Hand of Merlin worth it?
It is worth it if: arthurian fantasy fans who want a cosmic-horror setting. Skip it if: players seeking a linear campaign with reversible decisions may find the permanent choices restrictive.
Where can I download The Hand of Merlin?
Use the Download Now button on this page: it opens The Hand of Merlin's store page, where you can choose how to get it.
What platforms is The Hand of Merlin on?
Windows, macOS and Linux.
