I love the fact that retro games are growing in popularity so much so that developers, enthusiasts and just curious nerds are willing to invest time, resources and money into releasing new games.
The latest Nintendo Entertainment System game to be revealed is The Trial of Kharzoid, developed by Pascal Belisle and published by Broke Studio, an independent video game studio based in France and created in 2017
Put simply, it's an arkanoidvania game. It combines classic brick-breaking games like Arkanoid from the 80s with Castlevania's classic elements like exploration, defeating huge bosses and eating chicken you find in walls!
According to the developer, the goal is to navigate through the deadly levels and go back to Kharzoid's tower to defeat this son of a witch. You will learn more about the lore by talking to NPCs.
What's the storyline?
When Kharzoid seized control of Xyleria, he turned the realm into his twisted playground. To satiate his cruel whims, he devised a diabolical Trial. Each month, he would take a prisoner, cast his soul into a magical skull, and send it in a labyrinth brimming with deadly traps and grotesque monstrosities. Nobody ever won the Trial. The victims suffered eternal torment, with Kharzoid feasting on their despair to fuel his dark dominion.
Returning from a perilous journey across realms, our hero finds his homeland ravaged and devastated. Vowing to end Kharzoid’s reign, he embraces the grim challenge of the Trial, determined to survive, overcome the labyrinth, and shatter the necromancer’s iron grip once and for all.
Where is it available?
The Trial of Kharzoid is available to purchase today from Homebrew Factory for €50/$60. There's only 60 available in batch one, so grab it while you can.
The game comes with over 80 levels, many boss fights, many areas to explore, abilities, upgrades and a two palyer mode.
If you buy the phyiscal version, you will receive:
- A brand new cartridge
- A brand new cartridge sleeve
- A full color cardboard box
- A full color manual
- A styrofoam block
