The Vernyhorn
A third-person open-world RPG inspired by classic role-playing roots. Follow a man haunted by his past as he faces his inner demons in a world shaped by faith, fear, and survival — where every choice leaves a mark that time cannot erase.
ActionRPGAdventure
PC
N/A
VGDB Score
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Overview
Summary
A third-person open-world RPG inspired by classic role-playing roots. Follow a man haunted by his past as he faces his inner demons in a world shaped by faith, fear, and survival — where every choice leaves a mark that time cannot erase.
Description
About This Game
Vernyhorn is a classic open-world RPG inspired by timeless titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and The Witcher — but our influences reach far beyond games. We draw heavily from cinema as well: the atmospheric precision of Robert Eggers, the raw intensity of The Revenant, the grand vision of Ridley Scott, and many other iconic films that shaped our creative identity.
We’re not promising a massive world built just for the sake of scale. We want to deliver a narrative that stays with you long after the credits roll. Atmospheric locations, thoughtful dialogue, and moments woven with distinctive humor or irony — these form the soul of Vernyhorn. We create a living, immersive world where everything follows its own natural rhythm: NPCs live out their daily routines, time and weather shift organically, nature responds, and animals walk their own paths. Every system works together to form a cohesive, believable whole.
As a small studio, we’re not afraid to break conventions. That’s why, even at an early stage, we invite players to test the game and help shape its direction — together with a community that wants to be part of this journey (join our Discord).
If you’d like to support us — add Vernyhorn to your wishlist and join our Discord.
Majestic European landscapes – all running at a rock-solid minimum of 60 FPS, often far higher. Every shot you see was captured in real-time on an RTX 4070. With Unreal Engine 5.7 and beyond, optimizing massive open worlds is no longer a challenge – the game maintains high performance without tricks and without sacrificing visual quality.
A Living World
The world of Vernyhorn is built from living, diverse biomes — from ancient woodlands and dense forests, through misty swamps, lowlands, and shimmering lakes, to the roaring sea and towering mountains. Each biome has its own soul, its own light, and its own rhythm of life.
Captured from the Real World
We traveled across all of Poland to scan and recreate the most breathtaking real locations, ensuring not only visual accuracy but also authentic soundscapes — from the rustling leaves and distant thunder to the murmur of streams and whisper of wind. Everything was recorded on location to capture the true mood and atmosphere of every place.
Every biome offers new challenges and secrets, testing not only your perception but your very connection with the world itself.
World champion captured in motion.
We set out to create a dynamic yet believable combat system – without hiding imperfections behind flashy VFX or camera shakes. Every strike had to feel precise, professional, and real. To achieve this, we brought in the best of the best: Antoni Olbrychski, world champion in sword fighting (1st HEMA), and Morgan Myśko, Polish national Wushu representative and motion capture actor from Cyberpunk 2077. We simply let them do what they do best.
Forget honor. Win at any cost.
In Vernyhorn, combat isn’t just about swords – it’s about survival. When you lose your weapon or get ambushed, every move counts. Brutal kicks, headbutts, elbow strikes, chokes, and desperate scrambles – all are fair game in this world. We wanted every fight to reflect the raw, primal brutality of Vernyhorn.
Surprise Attack: Hit Before You’re Hit.
Sometimes the deadliest fight starts long before the first strike. Inspired by the ambush scene from The Last Samurai, we created the “Surprise Attack” mechanic. During certain dialogues, when you sense the tension rising, you can plan your move 2–3 seconds ahead, striking first and turning a doomed conversation into a sudden, cinematic fight for survival.
Small Team. Clear Vision.
Vernyhorn is an open-world RPG — but built with focus and intention. As a small team, we want every part of the game to feel meaningful and alive. Instead of creating endless empty miles, we aim for density, atmosphere, and purpose — a world that rewards curiosity rather than repetition. We believe that a shorter, richer experience can be far more satisfying.
You’re on Your Own.
The game doesn’t lead the player by the hand — understanding comes through observation, memory, and reasoning. The UI is reduced to the absolute minimum. It’s not a set of glowing markers or step-by-step hints — it’s a physical experience, something you feel and interpret, not follow blindly.
Survival is a key part of the story, giving every journey real weight. Whether you’re crossing snow-covered mountains or pushing through dark forests, you need to prepare: choose the right clothing, take food and water, and plan your route — including the way back.
There are places where gear alone won’t save you. You have to know how to handle cold, hunger, or darkness. These trips demand caution and experience — and when you finally make it, the satisfaction is greater than a warm meal by the fire.
Key Features
A Personal Story – A grounded tale about guilt, faith, and survival. You play a man trying to find peace with his past in a world that often offers none.
Simple but Thoughtful Gameplay – Built on classic RPG systems that have stood the test of time. We keep them intuitive, focused, and respectful of the player’s attention.
Scanned Natural World – Many of the forests, swamps, and mountains in Vernyhorn were recreated from real places using 3D scans. We wanted the land to feel alive — not imagined, but remembered.
Scanned Architecture and Artifacts – Old wooden churches, stone walls, and tools were captured from real sites across Poland to preserve their form and soul inside the game.
A Living Land – The world changes with weather, time, and light. People, animals, and nature move at their own rhythm. It’s not a stage — it’s a place that breathes.
Real Combat – Sword fighting was recorded through motion capture with real champions. Each move is grounded, quiet, and precise — more survival than spectacle.
Moments of Choice – Words can weigh as much as steel. Some dialogues may shift suddenly into conflict — a heartbeat before it happens.
Everyday Life of the Past – Inspired by early medieval Europe — its faith, labor, and hardship. Built together with reenactors who live and understand that history.
Survival with Meaning – Before each journey, you must prepare: food, rest, and clothing for the road ahead. It’s not about punishment — it’s about respect for the world.
Made by a Small Team – We are only a few people, working quietly and carefully, trying to build something real — with patience, and with heart.
