Stoneguard News

[p][/p][p]By day, you design the backbone of your survival: walls, towers, and gates that all circle back to protecting the Lifestone. You decide where to invest your scarce wood, stone, iron, leather, essence, and food whether that’s thicker outer walls, more ranged platforms, or backup lines in case the first layer falls. Every new building and upgrade is placed with one question in mind: Will this actually hold when the waves arrive?[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]When night falls, those decisions are put to the test. The soulless husk and bosses all attack in different ways, smashing walls, shielding other foes, or buffing the horde so a good defense isn’t just more HP, it’s smart positioning. Towers covering each other, layered gates that buy time, and fallback positions around the Lifestone can be the difference between a controlled retreat and a total collapse.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Defense in Stoneguard is also about who you put on the line. Villagers in your camp will carry the gear you crafted, man the walls you placed, and suffer the consequences when things go wrong. Limbs can be lost, prosthetics may be needed, and a defender who once held the front might end up better suited to repairing, crafting, or supporting from behind the lines.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Stoneguard's defense emphasizes strategic choices during the night, whether you "turtle up" or "sprawl out" with walls. We look forward to seeing your fort layouts, loadouts, and teamwork. Share your defenses, close calls, and lessons learned from the night your stories will help us make the nightly assaults sharper and more satisfying to survive.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As a reminder, our friends at Wandering Wizard are hosting an amazing giveaway where you have multiple chances to win an ASUS ROG G16 gaming laptop with a matching backpack. Enter here for your chance to win![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Thank you,[/p][p][/p][p]William and Honor[/p][p]ThornSpire Games[/p][p]
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[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Early Access Launch and Demo Availability[/h3][p][/p][p]Prepare for a desperate struggle for survival when Stoneguard, a medieval survival strategy game, developed by ThornSpire Games and published by Wandering Wizard, is coming soon to Steam Early Access. Players eager to get a head start on the grim, alien-infested world can participate in a free demo available during Steam Next Fest, running from February 23rd to March 2nd.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]A Unique Blend of Strategy and Survival[/h3][p][/p][p]Stoneguard sets itself apart by seamlessly blending the expansive, open-ended nature of a survival game with the intense, tactical demands of base defense. Set in a desolate medieval world twisted by science fiction elements, the core objective is to protect the magical Lifestone the last beacon of hope, from an unrelenting and monstrous alien invasion.
[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Key Mechanics and Core Gameplay Features[/h3][p][/p][p]The rhythm of the game is defined by a crucial Day-Night Cycle. By Day, players are tasked with the strategic construction and management of their settlement. This includes setting up intricate production chains, harvesting essential resources, and strategically fortifying the surrounding defenses in preparation for the night's assault. By Night, the focus shifts entirely to defense. Waves of increasingly aggressive, monstrous aliens descend upon the settlement, forcing players into brutal, close-quarters combat to protect the Lifestone at all costs.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Brutal, Tactical Combat[/h3][p][/p][p]Combat in Stoneguard is visceral and tactical, experienced through a close third-person perspective. The system rewards precision and careful execution, featuring realistic, bone-jarring strikes capable of severing limbs from the alien invaders. Mastery of the combat mechanics is essential for survival against the harrowing hordes.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Dynamic and Challenging Progression[/h3][p][/p][p]Success in Stoneguard demands constant adaptation. The enemies and their bosses grow increasingly difficult with each passing cycle, requiring players to continually refine and overhaul their base layouts, resource management techniques, and defensive tactics to withstand the growing onslaught.[/p][p][/p][h3][/h3][p][/p][p]As Stoneguard enters Early Access, ThornSpire Games is inviting players to help shape what the Lifestone’s last stand becomes. Every wave survived, base layout tested, and limb lost in combat gives the team clearer insight into how to push the game’s systems, enemies, and difficulty even further. Whether you jump in through the Steam Next Fest demo or on March 19th at launch, your feedback, screenshots, and stories from the front lines will play a direct role in forging Stoneguard into a richer, harsher, and more unforgettable medieval survival strategy experience.[/p][p]
[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Thank you,[/p][p]
[/p][p]William and Honor[/p][p]ThornSpire Games[/p][p]
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[p][/p][p]Stoneguard will be featured in the upcoming Steam Next Fest event, and a free playable demo will be available for you to jump into. This is the perfect chance to defend the Lifestone for yourself and try out the game during the weeklong celebration of upcoming titles. Experience the unique blend of medieval and alien combat to see if Stoneguard deserves a spot on your Wishlist.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]In the demo you’ll build up a fledgling settlement by day placing structures, setting up your resource chains, and assigning survivors then fight off relentless alien waves by night from a close third-person perspective. You’ll get a taste of base-building, limb severing combat, prosthetics, and our first enemy types and bosses, all within a self-contained slice of the full game.​​[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]If you’re curious about Stoneguard, this is the best time to jump in, leave feedback, and help us shape where the game goes next. Make sure to follow the Steam page, add Stoneguard to your wishlist, and look for the demo when Steam Next Fest begins.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]As a reminder, our friends at Wandering Wizard have blessed us with an awesome giveaway! If you would like multiple chances to win an ASUS ROG G16 Gaming Laptop with a matching backpack: Enter the giveaway here! [/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Thank you,[/p][p]
[/p][p]William and Honor[/p][p]ThornSpire Games[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Welcome to another post where we break down some more key aspects of our game, with this post we will be exploring the enemies you will be encountering while you defend the LifeStone![/h3][p] [/p][p][/p][p]Stoneguard's aliens are more than just monsters; they are the pressure shaping Lifestone decisions. They attack in nighttime waves, growing in complexity as the campaign advances toward boss encounters. They begin by testing basic defenses and as the waves progress you will encounter tough melee combatants, long range archers and powerful leaders who can breach defenses. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The enemies you’ll face in Stoneguard are the Soulless Husk. They are at the frontline for the invasion. They’re not clever, but they are persistent, and every one of them exists to cut you down and claim the LifeStone.[/p][p][/p][h3]Sword Husk
[/h3][p]The sword armed Husk is the most basic threat you’ll see, and usually the first to reach your walls. They come in numbers trying to overwhelm defenders with quick, simple slashes. Alone they’re easy to cut down but if you ignore them, they’ll chew through exposed survivors and unprotected structures before you realize what’s happening.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Spear Husk
[/h3][p]Spear Husks are close cousins to the sword Husks, trading sweeping slashes for rapid, relentless thrusts. Their arm-borne spears drive straight into any gap in your line, and while a single Spear Husk is easy to sidestep, ignoring a group of them lets those quick stabs tear through exposed survivors and unprotected structures before you can react.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Mace Husk
[/h3][p]Mace Husks are slower, heavier bruisers built to ruin fortifications. When they reach your defenses, they slam into walls, gates, and barricades with crushing swings that quickly open breaches if you leave them unchecked. They excel at following in the wake of the lighter Husks. Once your defenders are distracted, these blunt monsters start turning your carefully placed structures into rubble.[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][p][/p][h3]Arbalest Husk
[/h3][p]The Soulless Husk Arbalest is a siege engine that tears down distant defenders. Its crude skull, guided by eye-stalks and a bloody tendon bowstring, silently aims via its loose tongue and missing jaw. A reinforced neck absorbs firing strain, and spread legs anchor it like artillery. It draws bone quarrels growing from its back, firing them at walls, towers, and exposed targets using the reshaped skull and tendon.[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][p][/p][h3]Fan Head
[/h3][p]Fan Head is Stoneguard's first true boss and a major danger spike. This towering Soulless combines brutal melee with multi-point defensive pressure. Its fan-like head is a strength focal point, while its limbs are critical weak spots, exploitable only if defenders survive long enough. When Fan Head appears, your settlement must cooperate to save the Lifestone.[/p][p][/p][h2][/h2][p][/p][h3]As a reminder, our friends at Wandering Wizard have blessed us with an awesome giveaway! If you would like multiple chances to win an ASUS ROG G16 Gaming Laptop with a matching backpack:[/h3][h3]
[/h3][h3]Enter the giveaway here![/h3][p][/p][p]With that, we have more posts coming to reveal more of our game! Expect a content roadmap in the future as well.[/p][p][/p][p]We hope you will wishlist our game! Till next time![/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p] [/p][p]Thank you,[/p][p][/p][p]William and Honor[/p][p]Thornspire Games[/p][p]
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[p][/p][p]Welcome to another post where we break down key aspects of our game, from combat, to what's at stake for the players, to how we were able to blend genres. Here is some of the key aspects behind Stoneguard.[/p][p][/p][h2]Why Stoneguard stands out: [/h2][p][/p][p]Combat is ruthless and tactical. You can target and sever specific enemy body parts arms, legs and head. These remains are crucial resources that can be researched to craft new weapons and tools, effectively turning the enemies' own strength against them. The stakes are equally high for your survivors, who can lose limbs in battle and require prosthetics to remain useful. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Distinct combat feel[/h2][p][/p][p]Limb-targeting and injury: Precision hit detection means attacks can remove or damage specific limbs, affecting both enemy threat and survivor effectiveness, which gives battles a gritty, physical identity.​​[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Fight while you lead: You command survivors as you fight alongside them giving you a blend of action and strategy.​ Have them hold the line or charge into battle! The choice is yours.[/p][p][/p][h2]High-stakes Lifestone defense[/h2][p][/p][p]The entire settlement's design revolves around the defense of the magical Lifestone. Every wall, tower, and villager assignment is strategically placed to protect this single point. The game features escalating tension and a variety of enemy types appearing between major encounters, culminating in powerful boss assaults against your defenses.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]A dynamic day–night cycle ties building and preparation to escalating night-time waves, making each day feel like a countdown to the next siege.​[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Survival hinges on a strategic approach where your base design and job assignments are paramount. During lulls, Survivors are directed to focus on gathering, crafting, and research; when waves approach, their priority shifts to defense.[/p][p][/p][h2]Third-person RTS/base-builder hybrid[/h2][p][/p][p]Presenting base-building and defense from a close third-person view gives a more grounded, cinematic feel than traditional top-down colony builders.​​[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Each campaign plays like a full story of building up, holding out, and either falling or prevailing, encouraging replay through different layouts and defensive philosophies rather than long meta-grinds.[/p][p][/p][p]We hope to bring you more in the coming times as you join our journey by wishlisting![/p][p][/p][h3]Game-And-Go setup giveaway![/h3][p][/p][p]Our friends and publisher Wandering Wizard Games, has provided us with an amazing giveaway for a laptop and backpack setup! [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We would love to have you join our social growth and community growth and reward you for doing so as well![/p][p][/p][h3]Enter to win here: Gleam[/h3][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Thank you,[/p][p][/p][p]William and Honor[/p][p]Thornspire Games[/p]