Cralon – Demo Impressions

Does the green bright eyes help with navigation in the darkness?

It’s time to try Björn and Jennifer Pankratz’s (former Piranha Bytes) game Cralon from their newly established studio, Pithead Studio. Cralon is a first-person dungeon crawler that is clearly inspired by the classic title Ultima Underworld. After finishing the short demo, the exploration and atmosphere sure are there. However, the combat will require some serious polishing, as it felt clunky and not very satisfying. But mood is one of the fundamentals to get right for a game like this—so, I’m glad they nailed this important aspect in the demo.

Continue reading →

Shadow of the Road – Demo Impressions

The demon fears the samurai, like most other living things that are allergic to katana strikes aimed at the gut. Shadow of the Road is another unexpectedly fun RPG demo with turn-based gameplay, set in an intriguing medieval Japanese setting—local mythology and demons included. The only thing that had me confused was how the turn order worked, as it constantly shifted around during play. But I think I got the hang of it (somewhat) nearing the end of the demo.

Continue reading →