Inside At Fate’s End: Dark Family Drama, Epic God Swords, and Fate-Defying Action
Thunder Lotus, the studio behind the heartfelt management sim Spiritfarer, is gearing up to release its next big title, At Fate’s End. This upcoming game dives deep into the messy, complicated world of aristocratic families and features some seriously cool swords. If you loved the emotional depth of Spiritfarer, get ready for another game that challenges how we think about family, legacy, and fate — but this time with plenty of action and swordplay.
- Meet Shan, a princess who must duel her estranged siblings both with words and swords.
- Explore the darker, more conflicted side of family dynamics, inspired by real historical aristocracy.
- Wield powerful God Swords linked to Celtic and Gaul mythology, each with its own story and sacrifices.
- Engage in action-packed combat combined with RPG elements and emotional storytelling.
- Experience a narrative shaped by tarot-inspired fate and player choices.
- Coming in 2026 to PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, with hopes for a future Nintendo Switch 2 version.
A Family Drama Like No Other
Nicolas Guérin, creative director of Thunder Lotus, shares that At Fate’s End flips the usual portrayal of family on its head. Unlike the typical warm and positive family stories, this game focuses on the judgmental, conflicted, and sometimes downright messy side of familial relationships. The story centers around Shan, a princess who’s been away from her family for years and now must reclaim her place as the next ruler by convincing her siblings to give up their swords — a tradition that’s as brutal as it sounds.
“They’re all fucked up in a way. They all represent a failure of their own making, but […] they all have that part of them that you still like, they’re all lovable, they’re all terrible,” Guérin says. The game aims to make players feel like these characters belong to your own family, blending personal stories from the developers into the characters to create a deep emotional connection.
God Swords with a Price
The swords in At Fate’s End aren’t just weapons; they’re living characters inspired by Gaul and Celtic mythology. Each God Sword carries immense power but demands a heavy sacrifice. For Shan, that sacrifice is her voice — she gave up her throat to host her sword, Aesus. So instead of speaking, Shan’s sword expresses her thoughts aloud, adding a unique twist to dialogue and storytelling.
Players will also experience a light RPG progression system tied to these swords. As you upgrade the sword, you unlock memories and skills from its previous wielders, essentially uncovering an “archeology” of its history. This connection between gameplay and narrative helps deepen the bond between player, character, and weapon.
Fate, Tarot, and Player Choice
Destiny plays a major role in the story, with tarot cards influencing the narrative and player decisions. Guérin explains, “Tarot is interesting because it’s one of those traditions that will make the reader read something that is actually written in destiny. But it contradicts the idea of free will because if everything is written in advance, why bother?” Throughout the game, you’ll encounter tarot cards that Shan’s sword interprets, allowing you to reverse or influence fate — a clever way to blend storytelling with player agency.
Action-Packed and Beautifully Animated
While Spiritfarer was more of a management sim, Thunder Lotus is no stranger to action games, having developed Jotun and Sundered before. At Fate’s End will bring fluid, platformer-style combat to the table, showcasing the studio’s love for animation and smooth character movement.
Guérin shares, “The beauty of the animation, how it flows, how it feels — it’s really the moment of pure wonder that it’s almost like a visceral reflex and a visceral gut feeling.” Expect to control Shan as she duels her siblings in fast-paced battles with her God Sword.
When and Where to Play?
At Fate’s End is planned for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. The team is also interested in bringing it to Nintendo Switch 2 once they get access to a devkit, but the original Switch likely won’t be able to handle the game.
Get ready for a game that will challenge your emotions and test your judgment of family — all while swinging a powerful sword in intense combat. It’s a fresh take on legacy, fate, and what it means to belong.
