In Dieselstormers players explore the medieval city of Ravensdale - a place where armor is powered by roaring engines, princesses wield wrenches in oil-stained overalls, and not a single dragon dares to brave the smog-filled sky. That doesn't mean all is well. The inhabitants of Ravensdale must take their city back from a rampaging ork horde. Players will be able to assemble their own weapons by adding and exchanging parts and modify them for their specific needs.

You’re a member of an elite rebel squad: The Dieselstörmers. Well equipped, but outnumbered by your enemies. To survive, you’ll have to cleverly collaborate with your friends. Combine your attacks, use the armor and weapons upgrades to your advantage. Find upgrades to your weapons to increase your defensive power, attack range or damage output. Increase your mobility with perks to reach new areas in the map or blast your enemies with bouncing, piercing, incinerating, shocking, explosive, goopy, and many, many more weapon and armor upgrades. Of course you can also decide to drop your current weapon and give that shiny new surge lance a chance.

To change a game in mid development is always a gamble. Independent game developer Black Forest Games took the risk and decided to retire Dieselstormers' RPG gameplay, which was more than six months in the making. With the last update, the German indie studio committed itself to deliver a roguelike experience.

The new Dieselstormers combines classic roguelike action with classic platforming character controls and RPG elements into a game of over-the-top mayhem and team play. Up to four players play together in local and online co-op multiplayer. Maps are procedurally generated from predesigned chunks and interactive objects that are placed semi-randomly in each level.

“We knew that we have a great game in the making with lots of potential. But we also realized that our concept wasn't able to convince players from the start. Internal play sessions as well as community feedback showed to us that Dieselstormers could be so much more,” Jean-Marc Haessig, BFG's Creative Director explains. “So we put our heads together, analyzed community feedback, discussed new ideas and came up with the roguelike concept for Dieselstormers. After we turned it into a prototype and played it, we knew that we had a rough diamond in our hands.”

In terms of production, it was a huge decision. BFG's game designers had to adapt the concept without damaging the core. They had to drop mechanics in the game that were essential to the original vision, and were heavily communicated, like the weapon customization, for example. Other elements, like the unlockable perks, had to be altered to fit the new design. The map was expanded to include subterranean levels, each with its own biome. That opens up a vast space for players to explore. For the art department, it meant remodeling most assets to fit the new level design. It also meant to create new assets for the new biomes that would be added to the game: the Underground Factory, Undercity, Natural Caves and Ancient Ruins.

Managing Director Adrian Goersch says, “It was a tough decision. First: We would confront our community with a drastic change to the original concept. Second: As all the assets had to be reworked, we only had a greybox prototype to show. But we took a chance, because we firmly believe that we will offer them a far better game in the end. Our Steam and Kickstarter communities are supporting us here and are of great help.”

Dieselstörmers combines classic roguelike action with gorgeous 3D graphics, classic platforming character controls and RPG elements. Permadeath is real and you’ll lose your equipment and upgrades, but experience points are yours to keep. Gaining levels will grant you perks, making the next round easier and getting you one step closer to defeating the final boss.

Character progress is faster in comparison to the old Dieselstörmers – a complete playthrough takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes and rewards you with new items or classes. That, plus achievements and secrets, adds to the replay value of the new Dieselstörmers.

In contrast to the old game, each level is up to five times bigger and consists of the already known town biome as well as four more – Underground Factory, Sunken City, Natural Caves and Ancient Ruins – each with its on theme and appeal.

Customize your character with randomly dropped equipment and stackable upgrades and improve the abilities of your base class on the fly instead of assembling your weapons in the HQ.

The Dieselstörmers campaign is for 1-4 players and can be played in online and couch co-op mode. New players can join or leave an existing game at any time – without consequences to the remaining players. Multiplayer allows for team strategies like: flanking shielded enemies, deploying powerful lightning arcs between your teammates or herding fleeing enemies into a trap. Each character class comes with unique skills and perks. In the right balance, no amount of enemies can stop you. Resources picked up by any player are awarded to all players!

Dieselstormers is available through Steam Early Access for $18.99 (18.99€).