Immerse yourself in a hellish Paris where every fight could be your last. Expected in 2026, Armatus is the next roguelite action game developed by Counterplay Games and published by Xbox. Scheduled for release on PC and Xbox Series, the title promises to be an intense dive into a devastated Paris, where survival becomes a feat in itself.
Presented at the Xbox Partner Preview, the studio explained that this project was born out of the cohesion of a "small, passionate, close-knit collective determined to create high-quality games designed above all for the player experience." This statement sets the tone for a game crafted with conviction: "This project has overcome obstacles that seemed impossible to overcome, and we are thrilled to finally be able to share it with the world," explains Matt Cerami, Senior Writer at Counterplay Games, in a press release.
In the heart of a ravaged Earth, torn apart by a mystical apocalypse, Paris has become a nightmarish maze where planes of existence and demonic hordes intersect. Four members ofthe Armatus, an ancient religious order, still survive, holed up in the Cathedral of Three. They summon the player to guide them to salvation through the Scoured Path, a procedural maze leading to the mythical Sunless Gate. Each run offers a unique configuration of enemies, rooms, and rewards, transforming exploration into a relentless struggle to progress without succumbing to the spawn of hell, "who have devoured all souls... and want one more."
Armatus relies on frenetic gameplay where the action reinvents itself with each attempt. The player takes on the role of an immortal Warrior equipped withExalted Armor, a sacred armor capable of wielding holy weapons, celestial powers, blessings, and corrupted explosions. Everything hinges on the construction of deep builds: each ability can be modified, altered, or combined, giving rise to extreme synergies. The title requires precision, anticipation, and audacity, especially when facing demons with diverse tactics and unique weaknesses. Counterplay Games promises a game that is "frantic, chaotic, explosive, and designed to be exploited by the most creative players," inviting everyone to develop "your craziest builds."
The game is clearly aimed at fans of intense shooters, non-stop action, and high challenges. Players who enjoy complex build systems, persistent upgrades, and dark, mystical, and biblical universes should find something to love here. The roguelite approach, focused on progression through failure, should also appeal to fans of controlled difficulty and advanced customization.
Armatus is probably not suitable for players looking for a calm, narrative-driven, or contemplative experience. The high difficulty, repetition inherent to the genre, and chaotic combat may put off those who prefer more accessible or guided games. The dark tone, aggressive visuals, and apocalyptic gothic atmosphere may also not be suitable for all audiences.
[est] One of the essential aspectsof Armatus lies in its roguelite DNA: each death unlocks new abilities, currencies, and upgrades that persist between runs. The player learns, evolves, and starts over in a cycle designed to give a feeling of constant growth. As Counterplay Games reminds us, "failure is a tool, and death is never the end."
Finally, the game is based on a very strong artistic direction: an unrecognizable Paris, transformed into a demonic purgatory. From the Cathedral of Trois to the Scoured Path, the environments blend the gothic, the sacred, and cosmic abomination. The battles, driven by explosive staging, feature grotesque enemies, some of whom "will stop at nothing to repaint Paris with your limbs." A radical proposition that promises a striking visual identity and an intense experience.
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