New Isometric RPG Project Pantheon Hoping To Build A Bright Future

Extraction shooters are dominating the gaming scene, but a new wave of extraction RPGs is fueling a fresh surge of PvPvE excitement and loot-driven tension. Dark and Darker pioneered this subgenre, and now several promising competitors are emerging. Most lean into first-person or third-person over-the-shoulder views, but one title, tentatively called Project Pantheon, is taking a bold Diablo-inspired isometric approach. Recently, Wolcen Studio shared new details about its dark, myth-soaked world, paired with a brief but thrilling peek at gameplay.

It’s no shock that Wolcen Studio chose an isometric style for Project Pantheon, given their experience with Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem, a multiplayer ARPG akin to Diablo that wrapped up support last year. With Project Pantheon, they’re applying lessons from Wolcen, blending extraction mechanics with a bleak, mythology-drenched universe. This isn’t limited to one culture’s myths—Norse, Egyptian, Greek, and more are reimagined with a grim, unsettling edge.

We knew Project Pantheon’s setting was a world where all gods have been killed, and Death, a force stronger than any deity, enlists your aid. Now, Wolcen Studio has fleshed out this concept: the massive corpses of these fallen gods serve as explorable landmarks and points of interest. Instead of scavenging through villages or dungeons, you’ll rummage through divine remains for loot during matches. Art director Elliot Bocxtaele describes this world as “oppressive, terrifying, nightmarish,” a place so grim you wouldn’t wish it on your worst foe—perfect for Diablo fans. Narrative designer Adam Dowden adds that by aiding Death, you’ll gain powers far beyond mortal limits.

A short alpha gameplay clip released by Wolcen Studio reinforces the expected dark, gritty ARPG aesthetic. It showcases at least two weapon types: dual-wielded axes or hatchets and a staff firing electrical energy. The clip ends with a player ambushed by a massive bear that delivers a crushing slam attack. It’s a fleeting look at Project Pantheon, but it’s exciting to see it move beyond static images.

No release date has been set for Project Pantheon, but closed alpha testing is currently open for participation.