00:14Oh, hi. I am Peter, a developer of this game. And this is David, a second member of our
00:22two-person indie game studio from Slovakia called Black Deer Games. Today I would like
00:28to show you and briefly talk about our upcoming game Hordgaard Winds of the North. But first,
00:34let's move to a bigger level.
00:36Better. So, what exactly is Hordgaard? At its core, Hordgaard is a tower defense game,
00:43but it also blends RPG and strategy elements. The player steps into the role of a brave viking
00:50hero who must defend his village against hordes of mythical creatures. The core loop
00:56of the Hordgaard is simple yet intense. You begin with an empty village containing only
01:02a single building, the household. This is the heart of your settlement and you must defend
01:07it at all costs. If it falls, the game is over. To survive, you need to gather resources from
01:13the surrounding environment and use them to construct buildings, fortifications or recruit
01:19warriors. However, time is always working against you. Before long, an enemy wave will arrive,
01:26driven to destroy your village. This means you need to act quickly, to prepare your defenses
01:31before the next attack begins. When the timer at the top of the screen hits zero, the Horde arrives.
01:38Unlike traditional tower defense games, Hordgaard puts your heroes directly on the battlefield.
01:44You fight alongside your defenses, defend weak areas, repair damaged buildings and make crucial real-time
01:51decisions when things do not go according to the plan. Combat is designed to be fast and focused
01:57on positioning rather than micromanagement. Heroes automatically engage nearby enemies as soon as
02:04they enter range. Each hero type has a unique special ability that can strongly affect combat,
02:10such as a ground slam dealing area damage or a rain arrows that punishes group of enemies.
02:17The player also has a dash ability, used for quick repositioning and dodging attacks,
02:23which can also damage enemies during the movement. Between enemy waves, you can venture beyond the
02:29safety of your village. To complete side quests, discover valuable loot, defeat roaming enemies or simply
02:36explore the world around you. This activities reward gems, which can be used to level up your hero,
02:42choosing one upgrade from three randomly offered options. But this progression is limited to the
02:48current level only. So at the start of each level, the hero is reset to the level 1.
02:54In the game we have a morale system. It represents the overall stability and condition of the village.
03:00Maintaining it is crucial. If morale drops to low level, the hero loses the ability to command soldiers
03:07and recruit new units, along with other penalties. On the other hand, high morale improves the strength
03:13of the hero, warriors and defensive towers. When the hero dies, the player transitions into a ghost.
03:20In this form, the player can still move around, but can't attack or interact with objects,
03:25and enemies ignore him completely. But don't worry, you can be revived at the main building.
03:32The game features several core buildings that support progression and army management. The barracks and
03:38archery are used to recruit soldiers for gold, while house increases the maximum unit capacity.
03:45The sacred statue is a special structure that allows the player to choose one god blessing from a
03:51random selection of three options. Each god blessing provides a unique strategic advantage that can
03:58influence the flow of the run. If the sacred statue is destroyed, the chosen blessing is deactivated,
04:04forcing the player to rebuild it in order to regain its effects. Blacksmith allows the player to craft
04:10traps using wood. Once traps are unlocked, the player can choose from a different trap types depending
04:17on the current situation and needs. These traps can heavily influence gameplay,
04:25as smart placement and timing can turn difficult encounters in the player's favor. Gold mines and goldsmith
04:32generate income, providing a steady flow of gold. The summoning altar allows the player to spend the gold
04:40to summon one powerful companion, such as a golem, an eagle or a healer.
04:50Most buildings can also be upgraded to improve their output and make them stronger. When upgrading towers,
04:58players can choose from different upgrades that change their abilities and effects.
05:05For example, a tower can be upgraded to heal nearby units, while another upgrade gives ice arrows that slow
05:13down or freeze enemies. Horde Guard offers replayability through different ways to experience the game.
05:20As you progress, you will gradually unlock new perks that slightly ease the gameplay in the later stages.
05:26For players who enjoy a real challenge, there are optional mutators that make survival even more difficult.
05:35Progressing through levels rewards the player with experience points,
05:38which can be used to unlock perks or runes. These provide long-term progression options,
05:44that enhance the hero's capabilities and support different playstyles.
05:49The game features five distinct biomes, each containing three levels.
05:54And in the final level of each biome, the player faces a unique boss.
05:58These battles will push your settlements defenses to their limits.
06:05And do you know what is cool? You can play this game in local co-op with a friend.
06:10This adds another layer of variety and allows you to experience the true power of teamwork.
06:17For example, one player can focus on gathering resources while the other builds defenses,
06:22or one can defend the village while the other repairs damaged buildings.
06:27Together, you adapt, survive and even laugh, through the chaos. Because no viking should stand alone.
06:34Each level is designed for short, focused gameplay sessions, making Horde Guard an ideal
06:39couch co-op experience that you can easily pick up and play together.
06:45Well, another horde is coming.
06:48Will you defend your settlement even when all hope seems lost?
06:53The true viking should never surrender.
