Developer: Croxel Studios
Publisher: Billete Cohete
Steam Deck Compatibility?: Verified
Rrp: £12.79 (Steam)
Released: 21st October 2024
Available on: Steam
Played Using: Mouse and Keyboard
Approximate game length: 8 Hours +
Ah, the 1980’s, the era of my birth… Yes, I’m aware that officially makes me old. I still remember getting my NES and Super Mario Bro’s and Duck Hunt until my fingers hurt. We also had a computer system by Amiga. It was my fathers and had very few games, however, there was one that stood out to my brother and I called Larn. It was an roguelike adventure game where you played as a white oblong and had to work your way through a randomly generated dungeon full of monsters that were represented by keyboard symbols like the ‘@’ key. Many an hour was consumed trying to beat that game and I don’t think we ever did.
There is a reason I mentioned the 80’s and Larn specifically is because this game is set in the 80’s and the game itself (well part of it) reminded me of playing Larn, though without the roguelike aspect. In this game you take on the role of a child who has started playing a game called Tormenture on their Limbo 2800 system. The thing is the game is cursed and now they can’t move from where they’re sat, rooted in place by some mysterious force and the only way out is through.
Of course, this isn’t simply an old school 8 bit adventure. This is a game within a game, while, for the most part, you will be playing the 8 bit adventure you’ll also be able to pull away from the screen to look around your room and interact with the objects around you. Things you do within the adventure game affect your room and sometimes the things you do within your room will affect the adventure game. A great example is that when you enter the forest area of the adventure game it starts to rain, when that happens rain starts to hit the window in your room and occasionally flashes of lightning will occur. It goes beyond that of course, but I don’t wish to spoil the surprises this game has in store.
On a related note, I really love that when you check your map an actual notepad is brought up showing a hand drawn map of what you’ve explored thus far, complete with little symbols (but no legend to tell you what they actually mean). Also, if you want to check what an item or object is within the adventure game the games manual is sitting in a box beside you, which really shows the commitment the developers have made for making it really feel like a game from the 80’s. I miss those old manuals, I used to sit in the car on the way home from the shops and pour over them because I was so excited to play.
I highly recommend keeping a notepad nearby as you play this game. There are times where the game will show you something you might need later and while you can go back and view it again, taking a note of it is much easier.
The adventure game is controlled purely via the keyboard while your room is a mix of both mouse and keyboard. Actually, that’s a lie. You can control both by using a control pad, however, I found that to be more difficult to control in both parts of the game. The controls themselves are very reminiscent of the period this game would have been developed in. Meaning that the little square that represents you in the adventure game can only move in cardinal and intercardinal directions. While I know some people would consider that a fault against this game I would disagree as it’s in keeping with the idea that this game was developed in the 80’s.
There are a lot of places where the developers have been faithful to the quirks of 80’s games, like enemies respawning when you leave a room because the cartridge doesn’t have the memory to keep track of things like that. That being said, with the 8 bit animations on display if this game had been developed in the 80’s it would have absolutely been lauded as one of the best of its era.
Oddly nothing in the game itself actually states that it takes place in the 80’s. Sure, the Steam page itself does, but there isn’t anything within the game itself. It’s inferred because of the technology being used and the objects that surround you. I know it’s not important, I just find it interesting how those cultural touchstones immediately let you know the era the game is set in.
This game was an absolute joy to play, in fact I enjoyed it so much I sought out every secret and got all the endings, which is a rare thing for me to do.
If this appeals to you perhaps try;
Animal Well
Faith
Tunic
