Following in the footsteps of indie sensation TBH: Task Bar Hero, the new desktop autobattler Lootborne aims to push idle games a step forward with PvP, a dark fantasy setting, and strict rules for the Steam Community Market that will keep bots at bay.
As an idle desktop game, Lootborne openly embraces being something you leave running beside your work, checking it occasionally rather than demanding constant attention. You manage your inventory, build, perks, potions, and forging while trying to figure out the best combination to beat the next stage.
Despite being a desktop companion, Lootborne goes against the trend in the genre and openly leans toward the harder side of things. Leaving the game open to farm is an option, not a solution to every problem. Players will often have to stop, rethink their build, swap equipment, change perks, and find a better way forward before letting their champion continue fighting automatically.
There is quite a lot to play with: 424 items, six rarities, five elements, 26 perks, and 25 potions, with different combinations making a real difference when trying to push into the next area.
Another unexpected turn for a desktop companion is PvP. One of the most requested features after the initial demo, Lootborne now includes a ranked system that matches players with similar MMR. PvP encounters appear seamlessly during normal progression at regular intervals, while players can also challenge people directly from their Steam friends list.
The Steam Community Market is there too but, as stated on the Steam page, “we consider this a feature of the game, not a reason to play it.” Trading is deliberately kept secondary to progression, with restrictions designed to prevent the Market from becoming a shortcut through the game and to keep bots at bay.
In short:
- 424 items across 6 rarities.
- 7 sectors, 35 enemy types, 4 PvP bosses.
- 60 levels, 26 Perks, 25 Potions, a forge and a respec.
- Endless mode.
- Asynchronous PvP with global and friends leaderboards.
- 27 achievements.
- 13 languages.
