The Latest Dungeons and Dragons Game Breaks Every D&D Rule and Doesn’t Require a DM

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While *Baldur’s Gate 3* has set a new standard, there’s a rich history of quality *Dungeons & Dragons* video games. This year hasn’t seen many new *D&D* game releases, but we expect more to come in 2025. Gameloft is reportedly working on a relaxing *Dungeons & Dragons* game, though it doesn’t have a release date yet. However, another *D&D* game, *Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked* – a virtual board game – is launching soon, and players can try a demo during Steam Next Fest. I recently had the chance to play the demo and wanted to share my initial thoughts on this new virtual tabletop experience.

Demeo is a virtual reality role-playing game created by Resolution Games, originally launched in 2021. It’s now available on PS5 and Steam, offering a captivating multiplayer experience that feels like a virtual tabletop game. Demeo uses cards to make gameplay flow smoothly. Now, Resolution Games is partnering with Wizards of the Coast to bring a new virtual RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons to life. Called Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked, it will be released on November 20th. PC players can try a demo during the Steam Next Fest starting October 13th. I’ve played the demo’s two scenarios, and it’s the best virtual tabletop experience I’ve ever had – plus, the game acts as the Dungeon Master, letting everyone focus on playing a character.

A Generous Demo of a Beautifully Rendered DM-Free Virtual Tabletop Experience

While not a complete virtual tabletop like some programs, Battlemarked strongly evokes the feeling of one. It creates a digital board game space reminiscent of carefully setting up a tabletop game in person. You’ll play with stunning 3D character models and explore maps that look like high-quality D&D sets you might see in a live play stream. A key difference from programs like D&D’s Sigil VTT is that Battlemarked’s maps are already designed – there’s no need for a Dungeon Master to build them.

Demeo x D&D: Battlemarked brings the game to life with full animation and voice acting for all characters, both player-controlled and enemy. As you move your miniature across the board and interact with the world, you’ll see it come alive – spells have visible effects like glowing poison or fire, and enemies remain hidden until you can clearly see them. This makes Battlemarked a truly immersive experience, far surpassing any virtual tabletop game I’ve played. It’s simply fun to roll the large dice and the fog of war really enhances the feeling of exploring a dungeon.

What sets *Battlemarked* apart from playing *D&D* on a typical virtual tabletop is that the game essentially acts as the Dungeon Master. It allows everyone to play as a character, guiding you through two different adventures. The first scenario is quick for those familiar with this type of game, but the longer dungeon crawl will really put your skills to the test. Together, these scenarios give you a good idea of what the complete game will offer – a taste of the storytelling with its narrator and characters, and a classic dungeon filled with treasure, rats, and hidden enemies.

The demo takes just under an hour to complete, including the tutorial. After playing with four characters and exploring two maps, I got a good feel for what the full game will be like. You can play by yourself, controlling all four characters, or team up with up to three friends in multiplayer. While the game is enjoyable solo, it feels like it would be most fun when played with a group.

Battlemarked Won’t Teach You to Play D&D, But It’s Still a Good Time

Okay, so I’m a pretty seasoned D&D player, but I hadn’t gotten around to the original Demeo until now. Honestly, the way actions work really threw me for a loop at first. Because it *feels* so much like a tabletop game, I automatically assumed it would follow the usual D&D rules. But it doesn’t! The game uses cards and a damage die system that’s way more similar to how Demeo plays, meaning my characters could take a *lot* more actions in a turn than I’m used to in D&D combat. It’s easy enough to learn, but it’s definitely a different experience than I was expecting.

It’s not really a weakness, unless you wanted to use *Battlemarked* as a tutorial for *Dungeons & Dragons*. I was surprised by how it works at first, and it took some getting used to – I kept expecting characters to finish their turn after just one move and action. But the game is actually based on the point cost of each card. So, it feels more like a traditional board game with a *D&D* theme than a digital version of a tabletop role-playing game.

While Battlemarked uses characters, settings, and stories you’ll recognize from Dungeons & Dragons, it doesn’t quite *feel* like playing D&D. It’s more like a separate tabletop game brought to life with stunning 3D visuals. That said, it would be a really enjoyable game to play with friends as an alternative to a D&D session, especially when your Dungeon Master is short on time.

I got to try out the *Battlemarked* demo during Steam Next Fest, and it really gives you a feel for the whole game. You get to play as four out of the six characters and experience everything – the combat, exploring levels, and even how the dice rolls work. The demo’s available on PC from October 13th to the 20th. When the full game, *Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked*, launches, it’ll be on PC, PS5, and Meta Quest, which is awesome!

Are you planning to try out *Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked* during the Steam Next Fest? Share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-13 20:42