14 Years Later, The Wheel Of Time's The Dark One Officially Returns In New Release

The Wheel of Time's epic conclusion may have played out nearly 14 years ago now in the final entry in the series, A Memory of Light, but the legacy of the Last Battle, continues to be one of the most iconic encounters in fantasy. The series' main antagonist, the Dark One, looms over virtually the entire saga as the ultimate threat to the Pattern, working through the Forsaken and countless other servants while attempting to break free from his prison and reshape existence itself.

That conflict finally reaches its climax during Tarmon Gai'don, as the forces of the Light wage a devastating war while Rand al'Thor confronts the Dark One directly at Shayol Ghul. Yet Rand's ultimate victory is more complicated than simply destroying his ancient enemy, and after witnessing what a world without the Dark One could look like, Rand instead restores the Dark One's prison, sealing him away once again and preserving humanity's ability to choose between good and evil.

The Dark One's fate is a perfect representation of the core theme of the saga, but after 14 years, he's making an official return in a brand-new Wheel of Time release coming in 2027.

The Dark One Officially Returns In New Wheel Of Time Release

War of the Dragon: The Wheel of Time is effectively bringing the Dark One back for another shot at victory, giving fans the chance to rewrite one of fantasy's most famous endings. Dire Wolf's first official Wheel of Time board game recreates the struggle between the Light and Shadow across the saga, but unlike Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's books, Tarmon Gai'don doesn't necessarily end with Rand al'Thor on the winning side.

When the Last Battle concludes, either the Dragon or the Dark One can emerge victorious, allowing players' decisions to determine an entirely different fate for the world. The two-player strategy game draws material from all 14 main novels, although its playable narrative begins around the events of The Shadow Rising, after the Stone of Tear has fallen. Missions and events pull in memorable moments from throughout the larger series, while characters, territories, and armies gradually build toward Tarmon Gai'don.

War Of The Dragon Arrives In 2027

Dire Wolf describes each playthrough of War of the Dragon as a "new turn of the Wheel," meaning events that happened in the books can unfold differently depending on the players' choices. That's especially interesting for anyone controlling the Shadow who wants to wreak a little havoc.

In the more expansive Epic Mode, the Shadow player can gradually free the Forsaken from the Dark One's Prison, while the Light develops Rand, Egwene, Nynaeve, Perrin, and Mat into powerful heroes. Everything ultimately funnels into a larger-scale version of the Last Battle in which both sides commit their armies to one final confrontation. Ultimately, War of the Dragon: The Wheel of Time gives players the opportunity to see what might have happened if the Dark One had finally won.

War of the Dragon is officially fully funded following its successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised more than $1.1 million. U.S. fulfillment is currently expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with international deliveries following and all backers expected to receive their copies by the end of the year. It's a bold and exciting new chapter in Wheel of Time history, and one that fans are surely looking forward to next year.