Whenever I see a new Game Boy game arriving on Kickstarter, I feel like a kid again. Seeing people making titles compatible with the original DMG that utilise those iconic green graphics on cartridges that I actually plug into my old and battered handheld is what life is all about. And thanks to Cestmir Kocian of Game Brewery, a new RPG that fills that brief is coming to a Game Boy near you soon!
Stains of Decay is set to be an unforgiving and 'stamina-driven' RPG game that you really have to use your brain on. I mean, any game that uses the word 'unforgiving' isn't something you can take on lightly - it makes me think of Dark Souls and Returnal, just on the Game Boy.
There is no map, no marker, and no one to help you through the game in any way whatsoever. You're on your own, and if you don't manage to work out how the environment works or read your surroundings, you'll die. More than anything, however, there's one line on the Kickstarter campaign that has drawn me in more than anything - 'But something is wrong with this world. The decay spreads wherever you walk. The survivors you find aren't hiding from monsters.'
According to Cestmir, the world has already ended, and as the player, you're moving through a world that doesn't care whether you live or even succeed. Are you some sort of anti-hero? Are you actually a villain, or an unknowing cause of the end of the world? The narrative has me hooked already, and I've not even played it!
You'll delve into dangerous dungeons and take on brutal enemies, honing your skills to face powerful guardians. Every enemy has a pattern that you need to find in order to take them down, and you'll need to build up your stamina to take them on in ferocious battles.
The Kickstarter hasn't gone live yet, but you can sign up to be notified of the campaign's release when it does! The game will also be releasing on Steam, but come on - it's all about the Game Boy, right?
If you're looking for an RPG in the meantime that requires some serious level grinding and has one of the best stories that I've ever played on a handheld, then check out my review of Dragonyhm from Spacebot Interactive. I have a feeling Stains of Decay could be joining it in one of our 'top games lists' when it arrives - I'm excited for this one!
