“Ah, darn. Died again. Well, I should probably set this down and write up that preview… but just one more run.”
Godstone is a roguelike dungeon crawler that immerses you in an enchanting 8-Bit aesthetic. The narrative orbits around a potent ancient artifact bearing the same name. You step into the shoes of one of five sorcerers embarking on an expedition through the Ruins of Virithian. Your mission: to secure the artifact before the Siratic Order does, preventing them from harnessing its power to eradicate magick and its practitioners. Balancing your loadout with discovered weapons and equipment is key to confronting daunting adversaries and conquering challenging bosses, making Godstone both challenging and engaging.
Magick is the crux of Godstone, your primary offensive tool frequently bombarding you from all angles. Each run kicks off with a spell in one hand and a special attack that charges with every defeated enemy. Progression unveils an array of spells across four distinct schools of magic: fire, lightning, ice, and the eerie ‘nerefin’, a magick that inflicts continuous damage through curses. Complementing your magical arsenal are crowns and relics, bestowing various passive effects. From extra hit absorption to heightened resistance against diverse attacks, these items are pivotal in navigating the chaotic onslaughts. Managing your Magick Points (MP) becomes imperative—a resource that depletes but gradually refills over time or through basic physical attacks, ensuring combat requires a strategic balance between offense and defense.
Each character specializes in a specific magick class, determining their elemental special attack. The unique appearance of each character resonates with their discipline, blending seamlessly with the game’s overall aesthetic. The game’s environments, often bearing a decrepit or subterranean allure, exude a haunting ambiance despite the simplicity of the 8-Bit design. Enemies range from humanoid to adorable skeletal beings and more menacing entities. The imposing bosses in the demo dwarf characters, their attacks equally intimidating. Responsive controls mitigate the sense of being overwhelmed, even in the face of imminent defeat, ensuring that hindsight offers strategic insights, even after crushing setbacks.
Godstone represents the passion project of Peter Toft, founder of Demented Plant Studios. Over six years, he has poured his heart into its creation from scratch. Though transitioning from early development, it remains a work in progress. Aspects like plot-driving dialogues and expansive lore are yet to be fully integrated. Plans for overhauling visual and audio assets promise improved effects and added music. Remastered models of the five sorcerers, now larger and more detailed, along with upgraded environments, are in the pipeline. Peter actively engages with the community on Discord, sharing developmental insights and embracing past concepts, offering a glimpse into the project’s evolution. The demo on Steam proves addictive, each death propelling the quest to push further.
Can you conquer all seventeen rooms? I’ll be sure update you when I do.
