Preview of The Lonesome Guild – A “Cooperative” Single-Player Experience

Introduction

After playing about three hours of the preview build of The Lonesome Guild, we’ve got a clear idea of what this title—developed by Tiny Bull Studios and co-produced by DON’T NOD—has to offer. It’s a different kind of ARPG, where friendship and companionship are the heart of the experience, both narratively and in gameplay. The premise introduces us to a charming fantasy world plagued by a dark mist. As Ghost, a memoryless spirit, your mission is to gather an unlikely group of allies to recover your memories and save the land of Etere. In this preview we recruited and controlled three of these characters, discovering a cozy, approachable game that, while not aiming for grandeur, sparks curiosity. Here are our first impressions on story, gameplay, and visuals.

Story and Characters

The story of The Lonesome Guild starts simple yet endearing. Ghost awakens without memories in a world shrouded in red mist and soon meets DaVinci, a witty inventor investigating a mysterious meteorite. Together, they set out to uncover the origin of the corruption and, most importantly, find more companions to join their cause. Later, Mr. Fox—a gruff but good-hearted anthropomorphic fox—joins the team, along with other quirky allies. Each of the six eventual party members has unique backstories, motivations, and abilities that affect both gameplay and interactions. In this build, we only dug deeper into the first two characters and briefly tested a third.

Campfires reveal more of the story: moments to chat, learn character backstories, and strengthen bonds depending on your dialogue choices.

The narrative tone is light and cozy. Don’t expect high drama or deep emotional twists—The Lonesome Guild favors tenderness and camaraderie. Dialogues (text-only, no voices) have a soft humor and slice-of-life charm. The story, while not especially remarkable, works as an excuse to bring this odd guild together. Still, its optimistic premise—that friendship is the weapon against darkness—fits the style perfectly. Later chapters may add more depth, but for now, the warmth of the characters and setting is enough to stay engaged.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Gameplay blends exploration, puzzles, and combat, with some quirks. Exploration is notable for its lack of a minimap or global map—you must rely on physical maps found in certain areas. At first this feels disorienting, but the simple level layouts soon become familiar. Optional side quests, which often require revisiting areas, can feel a bit aimless without markers, which some may find frustrating. It’s an old-school approach that adds freedom but may not suit everyone.

Puzzles are integrated into the environment and varied enough to stay fun: block-pushing, pressure plates, or symbol-matching to unlock mechanisms. They’re light but break up combat nicely.

Combat is simple and accessible. Ghost and friends have a basic attack, a dodge/roll, and two special abilities unique to each character. We tested three heroes—melee fighters and ranged attackers alike. Switching characters is instant and fluid, both in and out of combat, adding a strategic layer: chaining combos by swapping between party members feels almost like co-op with yourself. Attacks recharge special moves and Ghost’s powerful ultimate AoE, handy when mobs overwhelm you. There’s also a team heal ability, adding light tactical depth.

Battles are brisk and enjoyable but relatively simple. Veterans may find them lacking in challenge, though the relaxed, family-friendly tone makes that simplicity appropriate. With six full characters unlocked, there may be deeper synergies later. For now, the mix of fighting, puzzling, and exploring works smoothly without being overwhelming. Difficulty levels are available for players who want more challenge or just the story.

Art Direction and Technical Performance

The Lonesome Guild is immediately inviting thanks to its charming art. A colorful cel-shaded style evokes a storybook feel, with watercolor textures and cartoonish character designs. Etere’s forests, ruins, and villages are bright and varied, and each ally—from the eccentric DaVinci to the grumpy Mr. Fox—is visually distinct and full of personality. This cozy art style fits perfectly with the game’s positive themes and makes the world a joy to wander.

On the technical side, this early build showed only minor issues, which the developers are already aware of. Otherwise, the game runs smoothly with no major performance drops or long load times. The non-realistic art keeps hardware demands low, ensuring a fluid experience.

Sound Design

The audio presentation is subtle and effective. There’s no voice acting—storytelling comes through text—but this suits the cozy tone. Music is gentle and pleasant, matching the setting: warm, slightly melancholic tracks for exploration and more upbeat tunes for combat, though nothing particularly memorable sticks. Sound effects add charm, with small details that bring the world to life. Overall, the soundscape supports immersion without drawing too much attention.

The Good

• Cozy atmosphere with a positive message centered on friendship.

• Colorful, storybook-style art appealing to all ages.

• Mix of puzzles and combat keeps pacing varied.

• Diverse, charismatic characters, with fun instant swapping that almost feels like co-op.

The Bad

• Would shine even more as an actual co-op game.

• Lack of map or quest markers may frustrate some players.

• Backtracking would benefit from a fast-travel option (perhaps planned for release).

Conclusion

The Lonesome Guild is shaping up to be a heartwarming, unique ARPG that prioritizes collaboration and emotional bonds over epic scale. Its art style, accessible mix of puzzles and combat, and optimistic message make it a cozy, relaxing adventure. The story may be light for now, but the quirky characters and positive themes carry it. It’s not aimed at players seeking intense challenges, but for those who value uplifting, family-friendly experiences, it promises plenty of charm. We look forward to the full release, especially to unlocking all six heroes and exploring their stories. For now, The Lonesome Guild feels like a “co-op for one” adventure brimming with color and warmth—an ideal palate cleanser amid darker, more demanding games.

Final Score: To be determined

Recommended for:

• Fans of light action RPGs that blend combat and puzzles.

• Players who enjoy controlling multiple characters.

• Anyone seeking a cozy, optimistic game with cartoon visuals for all ages.

• Those who appreciate simple, heartfelt stories where friendship takes center stage.

Release Date: October 23, 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.