Wartales is getting a horror twist with 'The Curse of Rigel' DLC

Listen: Wartales is getting a horror twist with 'The Curse of Rigel' DLC

0:00

/269.304

1×

Shiro Games has just announced their latest expansion for the hit tactical RPG Wartales, titled The Curse of Rigel. While astronomers know Rigel as a blue supergiant destined for a violent end, gamers are about to find out that the "County of Rigel" in Wartales offers a similarly grim fate.

What is the 'Curse of Rigel'?

Although today's news focuses on the Wartales expansion, the phrase "Curse of Rigel" actually spans across gaming lore, ancient astrology, and real-world astronomy, often signifying immense power coupled with inevitable madness or destruction.

Core Definition: A Tri-Fold Concept

In the context of the new Wartales DLC, the "Curse" refers to a madness plague sweeping the Sylve Forest within the County of Rigel. However, for TTRPG fans, it might ring a bell regarding the Coriolis system, and for astrologers, the star Rigel (Beta Orionis) has always been associated with glory that comes at a heavy price. Whether you are navigating a medieval forest or a star chart, Rigel seems to want to hurt you.

Meaning by Context

RPG Lore and Mechanics

This week, Shiro Games confirmed that The Curse of Rigel will act as a major expansion to Wartales, shifting the tone from gritty survival to psychological horror.

Coriolis Deep Dive: The Lost Horizon and the Portal Builder's Curse

Before we get to the new Wartales content, it is worth noting why the name "Rigel" makes veteran RPG players twitch. In the tabletop universe of Coriolis, the Rigel system is a place of beauty and hostility.

• The Icons: The system is often associated with the Faceless One.
• Bionics: It is a hub for extreme body modification.
• Isolation: The "curse" here is often interpreted as the cost of technological hubris.

According to lore archives like World Anvil, the Rigel system in Coriolis is marked by a history of conflict and the mysterious remnants of the Portal Builders. It is a setting where the environment itself feels predatory, mirroring the themes Shiro Games is introducing in their own medieval setting.

Wartales Connection: Analyzing the 'Curse' Keyword Trend

Shiro Games isn't just throwing a dart at a star chart; they are leaning into the "horror in the woods" trope that resonates with tactical RPG fans.

• New Zone: The Sylve Forest, located in the County of Rigel.
• Madness System: A sanity mechanic where darkness consumes your party's mind.
• New Class: The Thaumaturge, a scientist-alchemist hybrid.
• Grafting: The ability to use enemy body parts to gain abilities (gross, but effective).

The expansion launches on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, priced at $19.99 (expect around 75 AED). The core loop involves exploring with a "dim lantern" to fend off insanity. It’s classic Lovecraftian tension applied to a turn-based grid. As noted in Top Game Releases December 2025, this expansion is landing in a busy window, competing for attention right before the holidays.

DLC Strategy: How 'Curse of Rigel' Fits a Wartales Expansion

The introduction of the Thaumaturge class is the real game-changer here. This class uses "mad sciences" and alchemy to buff allies, essentially weaponizing the very curse that plagues the region. By allowing players to "graft" abilities from defeated monsters, Wartales is moving away from realistic medieval combat into something more monstrous.

Expert Analysis: Why Tactical RPGs Thrive on 'Cursed' Exploration Mechanics

Tactical RPGs can get stale if the only danger is losing hit points. Adding a "sanity" layer—where your soldiers might panic or turn on each other—adds narrative depth. It’s why games like Darkest Dungeon succeeded. If you’re following the industry trends in The Game Awards 2025 Nominations Clair Obscur Playstation, you know that narrative-heavy, high-stakes mechanics are what keep players engaged long-term.

The Price of Glory

It is fascinating that Shiro Games chose "Rigel" for this cursed expansion, given the star's reputation in ancient astrology.

The Ancient Myth: Immense Success Coupled with a Fall from Grace

Rigel, the foot of Orion, is considered a star of immense good fortune, but it comes with a catch. It brings glory, riches, and inventive talent, but often demands a physical or mental price.

• Nature: Jupiter and Mars influence.
• Promise: Quick rise to power.
• Curse: A tendency towards recklessness or "feral" ambition.

Astrologers at Geocult note that Rigel gives benevolence and honor, but it is situated in the "foot," implying one must tread carefully. In Wartales, players literally have to watch their step in the Sylve Forest to avoid madness.

Planetary Conjunctions that Trigger the 'Rigel Effect'

According to Astrolada, specific alignments amplify Rigel's power:

• Sun & Rigel: Boldness and insolence (perfect for a mercenary captain).
• Moon & Rigel: Much worry and disappointment (or a sanity meter hitting zero).
• Mars & Rigel: Unruly temper and mechanical skill (the new Thaumaturge class fits this perfectly).

The Hostile Environment of Beta Orionis

Forget myths and games for a second—the real Rigel is terrifying enough on its own.

Spectral Type, Luminosity, and Distance

Rigel is a Blue Supergiant, one of the most luminous stars in our local region of the galaxy.

• Luminosity: tens of thousands of times brighter than our Sun.
• Distance: Approximately 860 light-years away.
• Surface Temp: insanely hot compared to Sol.

Why Rigel is Physically 'Cursed': Radiation and Supernova Potential

The "curse" of Rigel in a scientific sense is its lifespan. As noted by Britannica, stars this massive burn through their fuel at a gluttonous rate. It is destined to end in a supernova that will be visible from Earth even during the day. The Chandra X-ray Observatory has studied Rigel extensively, noting that its intense stellar wind creates a hostile environment that would strip the atmosphere off any nearby planet. In Wartales, the "vapors" used by the Thaumaturge class seem to mimic this toxic, volatile energy.

The 'Rigel 7' Phenomenon

From The Simpsons to Star Trek, Rigel has been the go-to name for "scary alien planet" for decades.

The Simpsons and Star Trek: Origins of the 'Cursed Planet' Trope

If you grew up watching The Simpsons, you know Kodos and Kang hail from Rigel 7. It is shorthand for "hostile territory." In Star Trek, the Rigel system is mentioned constantly, usually involving shady trading posts or dangerous diseases.

Cinematic Parallels: Aliens and Hostile Worlds

The theme of a squad of soldiers entering a dark, forest-like environment where an invisible "curse" or creature hunts them is a staple of cinema. If Wartales puts you in the mood for more tension, you might want to check out New In Cinemas UAE to see if any sci-fi horrors are playing.

Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on your couch after a long gaming session, see what's trending on New On Netflix UAE or check our guide on What To Watch This Week UAE. The "haunted forest" vibe of the new DLC is best enjoyed with the lights off, anyway.

Navigating the Curse in Fiction and Reality

Whether you are tracking the movements of celestial bodies or just trying to keep your mercenaries from eating each other in Wartales, the "Curse of Rigel" represents a dangerous threshold.

Summary of Lore vs. Science

• In Wartales: It's a literal madness mechanic and a new region arriving Dec 11, 2025.
• In Science: It's a blue supergiant burning itself out, radiating hostility.
• In Astrology: It's a warning against hubris and the cost of ambition.

Final Verdict: Is the Curse of Rigel Real?

In the Wartales expansion, absolutely. The new mechanics force you to "resist the feral force brewing beneath the skin." As for the real world, let's just say it is better to look at Rigel through a telescope than to try and visit it.

FAQ

When is the Wartales: The Curse of Rigel DLC release date?
The expansion launches on PC via Steam on Thursday, December 11, 2025. For gamers in the UAE, Steam updates usually roll out around 9 PM or 10 PM GST.

How much will the new Wartales expansion cost?
The DLC is priced at $19.99 / €19.99 / £16.99. In the UAE store, this usually translates to roughly 70-80 AED, though regional pricing may vary. There is a 10% launch discount planned.

What is the new Thaumaturge class in Wartales?
The Thaumaturge is a new unit class that uses alchemy and "mad science" to fight. They can bolster allies and weaken foes using vapors and even graft abilities from defeated monsters onto themselves.

Is the 'Curse of Rigel' based on real mythology?
Yes and no. The game's story is fictional, but the star Rigel has a long history in astrology associated with glory, mechanical skill, and potential downfall, which fits the game's theme of "scientific arts" and madness perfectly.

Written by

Share

Copied