If Baldur’s Gate 3 was the ultimate love letter to the tabletop experience, Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons is the rebellious cousin who listens to Tool in the dark. Announced at The Game Awards 2025 with a cinematic trailer set to the pulsating rhythm of “Forty Six & 2,” this game is taking the franchise in a bold, action-heavy direction.
Developed by Invoke Studios (the team formerly known as Tuque Games), Warlock isn’t asking you to roll for initiative. Instead, it puts you directly in control of the magic, promising a visceral third-person action-adventure that feels more like God of War than a traditional CRPG. It is dark, it is gritty, and it looks absolutely spellbinding.
Meet Kaatri: The Warrior with a Pact
The game introduces a brand-new protagonist to the D&D canon: Kaatri. She isn’t your typical robe-wearing spellcaster standing in the back lines. Kaatri is a veteran warrior who, out of desperation or ambition, has forged a pact with an otherworldly patron. This duality—steel and sorcery—is at the heart of the character.
Bringing Kaatri to life is none other than sci-fi royalty Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer). Helfer provides both the voice and full performance capture for the role, adding a layer of gravitas and intensity that was palpable even in the short teaser. Seeing her unleash a barrage of eldritch blasts against a horde of monsters was a highlight of the night.
Expressive Magic in an Open World
One of the most interesting takeaways from the developer interviews is the concept of “expressive magic.” Invoke Studios wants players to feel the raw power of being a Warlock. You won’t just be clicking a button to cast Magic Missile; you’ll be chaining together devastating combos of physical attacks and magical abilities in real-time.
The game is set in a dark fantasy open world, giving players the freedom to explore twisted landscapes and hunt down legendary D&D monsters. The trailer teased a terrifying Death Kiss (a beholder-kin with blood-draining tentacles), hinting at the kind of high-stakes monster hunting we can expect. Unlike the tactical precision of Larian’s work, this is about reflex, movement, and unleashing chaos.
The Wait Begins
The bad news? We have a bit of a wait ahead of us. Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons is currently scheduled for a 2027 release. However, Invoke Studios has promised a full gameplay reveal in the summer of 2026. Until then, we will just have to replay the trailer and speculate on which Patron Kaatri has signed her life away to.
Conclusion
Wizards of the Coast is clearly diversifying its digital portfolio. By moving away from the turn-based formula, Warlock has the potential to attract a whole new audience of action-RPG fans to the Forgotten Realms. It is a risky move, but with Tricia Helfer leading the charge and a killer soundtrack, they definitively have our attention.
FAQs
When is Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons coming out?
The game is currently targeting a release in 2027.
What platforms will it be on?
It has been announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Is this a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3?
No. It is a completely standalone action-adventure game with no narrative connection to Baldur’s Gate 3.
Is the game turn-based?
No. It is a real-time, third-person action RPG, focusing on combat and exploration rather than turn-based tactics.
Who plays the main character?
The protagonist, Kaatri, is played by actress Tricia Helfer, known for her roles as Number Six in Battlestar Galactica and Charlotte Richards in Lucifer.