Slavic myths awaken in the ruins of a broken world.
Set in the aftermath of a twisted version of World War I, Chains of Lukomorye blends historical trauma with ancient myth.
Folklore As Enemy And Atmosphere
The game’s world is the result of a ritual meant to end the war but instead fractured reality itself, allowing ancient myths to seep into modern ruins.
According to details shared by the developers, the story explores themes of grief, memory, and the thin line between destiny and free will.
You can watch the trailer here.
Dark Shooter Gameplay With Soulslike Influence
Gameplay-wise, Chains of Lukomorye offers a third-person shooter experience with dark fantasy combat mechanics inspired by titles like Dark Souls and Remnant II.
Players face off against grotesque bosses inspired by slavic mythology such as Viy, a demon of the underworld and Kot Bayun, using both firearms and mythic abilities.
Along the way, the soldier is accompanied by Sirin, a prophetic siren from Russian myth who binds herself to him by fate.
After the event, an optional two-player co-op will be enabled.
A Mythic Reimagining
The game’s namesake, Lukomorye, comes directly from Russian folklore and poetry – most notably the opening lines of Alexander Pushkin’s 1820 poem Ruslan and Lyudmila:
“By Lukomorye stands a green oak…”
The poem describes the place as fantastical and filled with enchanted oaks, golden-chained talking cats, and wandering spirits.
In Chains of Lukomorye, this mythical shore is reimagined as a distorted post-war underworld, but still keeps visual elements like the golden chain, the cat and spirits.
The game's visual design pulls from historical paintings. An example of this is the giant head seen in key art, which resembles an eerie nod to painter Nikolai Ge’s dramatic depiction of the russian myth.
Familiar figures from Russian legends – such as Baba Yaga, the forest spirit Leshy, and the vampiric wurdulac take terrifying new forms in this bleak and enchanted setting, with players navigating haunted forests, ruined villages, and the twisted remnants of war.
A Reimagining Of Orpheus And Eurydice
The core story of Chains of Lukomorye is a tragic reworking of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, seen through Slavic eyes.
Instead of a poet, the protagonist is a nameless soldier – traumatized by war and broken by the death (...or disappearance?) of his wife – who journeys into the haunted depths of Lukomorye’s underworld to save her.
Release And Developer Details
Chains of Lukomorye is the debut title from indie developer Forge Ahead.
While the official release date has yet to be announced, German outlet GamersGlobal has cited 2026 as the likely launch year.
The official Steam page is now live and open for wishlisting, offering an early glimpse into the war-torn dreamscape where Slavic myth and postwar ruin collide.