Glory Mace Crusade: India's Epic Action RPG

Glory Mace Crusade Game Cover

Glory Mace Crusade (often abbreviated as GMC) stands as one of India's most ambitious video game projects, blending traditional Indian mythology with modern action role-playing game mechanics. Developed by Indian Game Studios Pvt Ltd and published by Daman Games, this title has captured the imagination of gamers across the subcontinent and beyond since its release in October 2023.

The game draws heavily from Hindu mythology, featuring iconic characters reimagined in a fantasy setting where ancient warriors wield legendary weapons against demonic forces threatening the cosmic balance. What makes Glory Mace Crusade particularly unique is its authentic Indian flavour—from the character designs inspired by regional art forms to the soundtrack incorporating classical Indian instruments.

Download Glory Mace Crusade
Did you know? Glory Mace Crusade was developed by a team of 45 Indian developers over three years, with extensive research into Indian mythology and folklore to ensure cultural authenticity.

Gameplay Mechanics in Glory Mace Crusade

Glory Mace Crusade combines hack-and-slash combat with deep role-playing elements, creating a gameplay experience that appeals to both casual players and hardcore RPG enthusiasts. The game features an open-world environment inspired by ancient Indian landscapes, from the Himalayan peaks to the tropical forests of the south.

Combat System

The combat in Glory Mace Crusade revolves around the "Mace System"—each playable character wields a unique mace with special abilities tied to Hindu deities. Players can perform combo attacks, block incoming damage, and unleash powerful "Astra" abilities that turn the tide of battle.

Unlike many Western RPGs, the combat emphasizes timing and precision over button-mashing. Players must learn enemy patterns and exploit weaknesses, much like the strategic warfare described in the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics.

Character Progression

Players can level up their characters by completing quests and defeating enemies, earning "Karma Points" to unlock new abilities and upgrade existing ones. The game offers three distinct skill trees:

Open World Exploration

The game world of Glory Mace Crusade spans seven distinct regions, each inspired by different parts of India. Players can traverse these landscapes on foot, by elephant mount, or using magical abilities like the "Garuda Flight."

Side quests are abundant and often based on local folktales and regional myths, providing players with hours of additional gameplay beyond the main storyline. Many of these quests feature moral choices that affect the game's ending and character relationships.

Multiplayer Features

Glory Mace Crusade includes both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Up to four players can team up to tackle challenging raids against powerful demons like Ravana or Mahishasura, while the PvP arena allows players to test their skills against each other in mythological arenas.

Characters & Lore of Glory Mace Crusade

Glory Mace Crusade Characters

Playable Characters

Glory Mace Crusade features four playable characters at launch, each with unique backstories and abilities:

Antagonists

The primary antagonist in Glory Mace Crusade is "Kalaketu," a demonic king attempting to break the cycle of time and establish eternal darkness. Kalaketu's army includes various rakshasas, asuras, and corrupted demigods from Indian mythology.

Each region features a lieutenant boss inspired by mythological villains, such as:

Lore & Worldbuilding

The world of Glory Mace Crusade exists in a parallel universe where the events of the Mahabharata and Ramayana occurred but history diverged. Players discover ancient texts, murals, and dialogue that reveal the rich backstory of this universe.

The game's lore incorporates elements from various Indian traditions—Sanskrit texts, regional folklore, tribal myths, and even Buddhist and Jain influences—to create a cohesive yet diverse mythology that resonates with Indian players.

Cultural Insight: Glory Mace Crusade's developers consulted with Sanskrit scholars and mythology experts from Banaras Hindu University to ensure accurate representation of mythological elements while creating an original narrative.

Development & Release of Glory Mace Crusade

Development History

Development on Glory Mace Crusade began in late 2020 at Indian Game Studios' Bangalore headquarters. The initial team of 15 developers expanded to 45 by the game's release, including artists, programmers, writers, and cultural consultants.

The game was built using Unreal Engine 5, making it one of the first major Indian games to utilize the latest game engine technology. The developers focused on creating realistic representations of Indian landscapes, from the snow-capped Himalayas to the backwaters of Kerala.

Art & Sound Design

The visual style of Glory Mace Crusade blends traditional Indian art forms like Mughal miniatures, Madhubani paintings, and Tanjore art with modern 3D graphics. Character designs incorporate elements from regional costumes and jewelry, making each character visually distinct.

The soundtrack, composed by A.R. Rahman and his proteges, features a fusion of classical Indian music with orchestral arrangements. Each region has its own musical theme based on local folk traditions—Carnatic music for southern regions, Hindustani for northern areas, and tribal rhythms for forest zones.

Release Strategy

Glory Mace Crusade was first announced at the 2022 India Gaming Show in Mumbai, generating significant buzz among Indian gamers hungry for locally-developed AAA titles. The game launched on October 15, 2023, across multiple platforms:

A special Collector's Edition was released exclusively in India, featuring a physical mace replica, artbook, and soundtrack CD. This edition sold out within 48 hours of pre-orders opening, demonstrating the strong local demand for Glory Mace Crusade.

Post-Launch Support

The development team has committed to regular updates for Glory Mace Crusade, with plans for story expansions, new playable characters, and seasonal events tied to Indian festivals like Diwali and Holi. The first major update, "The Lanka Chronicles," was released in January 2024, adding a new region inspired by the Ramayana.

Reception & Impact of Glory Mace Crusade

Critical Reception

Glory Mace Crusade received generally positive reviews from both Indian and international gaming publications. Indian gaming site Games4U awarded it 9/10, praising its "authentic Indian flavour and engaging combat system." International reviewers at IGN gave it 8/10, noting that "while some gameplay mechanics feel familiar, the cultural setting and mythology make Glory Mace Crusade a refreshing addition to the RPG genre."

Critics particularly praised the game's cultural authenticity and attention to detail in representing Indian mythology. The Hindu newspaper commended the developers for "respectfully adapting ancient stories while creating something new and exciting for modern audiences."

Commercial Performance

In its first week of release, Glory Mace Crusade sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, with 60% of sales coming from India—a significant achievement for a domestically-developed game. It topped the Steam charts in India for three consecutive weeks and became the highest-rated Indian game on Metacritic with a score of 82.

The mobile version saw over 2 million downloads in its first month, with strong retention rates indicating player engagement beyond the initial download. Daman Games reported that the game exceeded their sales projections by 40% in the first quarter.

Cultural Impact

Glory Mace Crusade has sparked renewed interest in Indian mythology among younger generations, with schools reporting increased student inquiries about the Mahabharata and Ramayana after the game's release. Several colleges in India have even started offering courses on game development with a focus on cultural representation, citing Glory Mace Crusade as an example of successful cultural export through gaming.

The game has also been praised for its positive representation of Indian culture on the global stage. At the 2024 Game Developers Conference, Glory Mace Crusade was featured in a panel on "Cultural Authenticity in Game Development," highlighting how the game balanced commercial appeal with cultural respect.

Awards & Recognition

Glory Mace Crusade has received numerous awards since its release:

Community & Esports Scene of Glory Mace Crusade

Player Community

Glory Mace Crusade has built a vibrant community of players across India and beyond, with active forums, social media groups, and fan content creation. The game's subreddit has over 100,000 members, making it one of the largest Indian gaming communities on Reddit.

Indian players have organized numerous community events, including "Mace Meetups" in major cities where fans gather to play the game, cosplay as characters, and discuss strategies. The developers have acknowledged community feedback in several updates, including adding requested features and balancing changes.

Esports Tournaments

Building on the competitive multiplayer modes, Glory Mace Crusade has developed a growing esports scene in India. Daman Games organized the first GMC World Championship in Mumbai in December 2023, with a prize pool of ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000).

The tournament featured teams from across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, with the finals broadcast live on Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube, attracting over 2 million viewers. Plans are underway for a larger 2024 tournament with international participation from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Fan Content & Modding

The developers released official modding tools for the PC version of Glory Mace Crusade, allowing players to create custom content including new characters, quests, and game modes. The Steam Workshop page features hundreds of user-created mods, ranging from quality-of-life improvements to total conversions based on different mythological eras.

Indian artists have created impressive fan art inspired by the game, with exhibitions held in Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad showcasing paintings, sculptures, and digital art based on Glory Mace Crusade characters and environments.

Future of Glory Mace Crusade

Upcoming Content

The developers have outlined ambitious plans for Glory Mace Crusade's future, including multiple story expansions and new gameplay features. The second major expansion, "The Pandava Legacy," is scheduled for release in mid-2024 and will introduce a new playable character based on Krishna from the Mahabharata.

Additionally, the team is working on a battle royale mode set in the game's universe, titled "Mace Royale," which will feature 100-player matches in shrinking zones inspired by mythological locations.

Potential Sequels & Spin-offs

While no official sequel has been announced, the developers have hinted at expanding the Glory Mace Crusade universe with spin-off titles focusing on different aspects of Indian mythology. Possible spin-offs mentioned include a turn-based strategy game and a narrative-focused adventure game.

There have also been rumours of a potential animated series based on the game's lore, with discussions reportedly underway with Indian animation studios and streaming platforms.

Global Expansion

Building on its initial success, Glory Mace Crusade is expanding its reach to new markets, with localized versions planned for Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and eventually Western markets with cultural context added for international players unfamiliar with Indian mythology.

Industry Impact: Glory Mace Crusade has demonstrated the viability of Indian-developed AAA games, leading to increased investment in the Indian gaming industry from both local and international publishers. Several new game studios have been established in India since the game's release, inspired by its success.